ghostofcrujones

Hey there, I recently purchased a Pinarello frameset and I am having a hard time identifying what year it was produced. I've searched quite a bit online (Bike Forums, FlickR, FGG, Velospace) looking for pictures of similar era Pinarellos and have found the Bulgier.net catalog scans, but nothing has given me a definitive answer about date and/or whether or not this frame is completely authentic.

The bottom bracket has a serial number on it, but I can't seem to find anywhere online that shows a serial number range, matched up with years of production for Pinarellos. The serial number is short and really doesnt seem like the other Pinarellos I have seen online follow a timeline order.

I know that the bike has been re-painted and decaled, but I was wondering if there is any existing definitive proof that this is indeed an original Pinarello. When I first saw it, I thought the GPT logo on the fork crown and the GPT pantograph on the seat stays were definitive markings. Then, I had a hard time finding any other specimens that had the GPT in Block Type (as seen below) on the chainstays and the couple that I had found, I was not able to verify that they were true Pinarellos. I am guessing that this was how GPT was represented back in the 70's and I have found one other photo of a different logo with un-stylized type.

I had heard from other people that the bird logo pantographed into the downtube lug was the definitive marking and I don't think I have ever seen any other frame with a carved lugset like that. There is also a heart pantograph on the inside of the fork crowns. The dropouts and fork ends are Campy engraved, so that lended some authenticity to it all for me and it came with a campy BB and an italian headset. But I suppose someone could have added those as well.

If anyone can help verify this frame and give a solid guess on the year, that would be much appreciated. I was guessing it was a 1978, based on some of the samples I have seen, but I am not sure.

Thanks,
John

buldogge

Assuming the flat crown fork is original, I think that would be '85 or earlier. As assumed, the decals are replacements, SPX came later didn't it? Non-riveted headbadge is later as well...Campy (not Pinarello) dropouts also point to pre-'85.

I would say you're right about it being 70's...definately Pinarello though.

vjp

It is a Pinarello and it looks like a mid to late 70's, but possibly with some upgrades. The repaint is nice but I would pull the SPX decal off.

I am looking at an earlier 70's Pinarello today, no GPT logos so probably a 74 or so...

Old Fat Guy

The thing about this bike id the under the BB cable routing. I'm not sure when that started, but I would guess late 1970's, 78-79. The decal looks more like a GPX decal to me, tubing that was actually drawn for Pinarello, Cyclex tubing, I believe, but later than the bike in question, I think. I know very little about Pinarello's.

ghostofcrujones

What does SPX decal mean? The "Special" decal? What does GPX decal mean?

ghostofcrujones

vjp/buldogge, what is it that makes you pretty sure that it is an original Pinarello? is it any/all of the details that I was trying to confirm above? Since it's been re-paintred and re-decalled, it's possible that it could even be a Pinarello fork on a diff frame. I think that would be a longshot, but just trying to play devil's advocate, in hopes of gaining some certainty.

Thanks,
John

Bianchigirll 

SPX on the Columbus decal is the type of tubing used in the frame. SPX is a heavier version of SLX and was used on larger frames.

are the brake bolts recessed? what is the tubing decal on the fork? is that MATRIX? do the decals actually match the material used in the item or were they just applied because they were onhand?

I think the dropouts look a bit short for a '70s frame but that is not a certain thing.

ghostofcrujones

The bike was painted and decaled before i bought it. I don't think they are necessarily era-correct or material correct. I would have no way of telling what type of tubing it actually is. I'll check of the brake caliper holes look recessed. It didnt come with calipers and i haven't tried to build it up yet.

Thanks for the suggestions/clues!

buldogge

The lug cutouts and GPT pantos are all definitely Pinarello. The GPT "spelled out" on the seatstay caps is either 70's or very early 80's I believe.

There's no doubt it's a Pin...what year will be very hard to determine...there is no rhyme or reason to the serial numbers as far as anyone currently can determine anyway!

conspiratemus1

Yeah, for sure. I've got a Montello whose serial number is simply, "1".

I'd vouch for the OP's being a genuine Pinarello though. The "bird" cutout in the lug is correct, even the way the bird's head is cocked a little to one side. The GPT in block on the seatstay caps predates 1981 (ref: Bulgier.) Note that the right rear Campagnolo dropout lacks (as far as I can see in the photos) the two little holes intended for mounting Campy's Portacatena gizmo that you were supposed to hang the chain on when you took the wheel out for rapid changes in a race. This item appears in the 1979 catalogue but not in 1975, and you can see the little holes in the Nuovo Record right rear dropout in the 1979 scan -- they appear in the scan as two tiny white dots about the same size as the threaded portion of the holes for the wheel centering screws. (ref: Campyonly.com.)

frpax

I would say that the tubing is most likely Columbus SL.

Late '70s looks right to me. I'd get rid of the '84 Olympic & Italian Championship decal, as well as the Columbus SPX decal. Unless you really like them, of course.

ghostofcrujones

Yeah, i think the previous owner went a little crazy with the decal set he bought, but the decals seem to be under a clear-coat, so I will ride as is.

ghostofcrujones

I took a look at the brake mount on the back of the fork and the bolt holes seem slightly recessed. I guess hard to tell without havin the proper brake to mount. I've never really had a fork with recessed bolts that wasn't pre-assembled for me.

prettyshady

I too am trying to date a simular pinarello with the GPT on the seat stays. It was repainted by a local raceteam, many parts had been updated to old dura-ace.

Since it went unsold on ebay, I have decided to try and restore it but would like to find the date for the correct decals and colour.


chrome forks, not looking so good now. Holes are for headbadge


I have only seen GPT on 70's pinarellos, but I would like to get closer on the date than pre 81



Any 70's catalogs to see?