Cinelli Restoration Complete!
 

I put up a thread about 9 months ago when I acquired a very special 1964/65 Cinelli SC (you can find that thread here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...y-this-Cinelli!)

It took me the better part of that time working on the restoration, a very fun project but it's also fun to be finished! Thanks for all the advice along the way. Most everything is original save for the bar tape, tires, cables/housing, toe clips/straps, and rims. I'll need new brake pads put can let that wait until its the weather is safe to ride.

Grabbed some quick shots today, and thought it would be fun to line up before and after shots side by side, and the some extra afters thrown in at the end.

Before:
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...i/IMG_0910.jpg

After:
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...i/IMG_2076.jpg

Before:
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...i/IMG_0912.jpg

After:
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...i/IMG_2083.jpg

Before:
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...i/IMG_0913.jpg

After:
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...i/IMG_2081.jpg

Before:
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...IMG_0935-1.jpg

After:
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...i/IMG_2077.jpg

Before:
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...IMG_0933-1.jpg

After:
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...i/IMG_2079.jpg

And a few more:

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...i/IMG_2088.jpg
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...i/IMG_2084.jpg
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...i/IMG_2085.jpg

Very nice, enjoy it. I keep looking for a Cinelli, one day...

A beauty. I have an all chrome project that been waiting to be finished for about two years - to much work work.

Nice, I am getting ready to get going on mine. Spring is just around the corner!

Lovely! Where'd the frame pump wind up? Are you gonna re-use it, too? Many happy miles on your Cinelli.

What method did you use to clean up the rusted chrome so well? OA Bath?

Those all chrome Cinellis are certainly special. And breath taking.

Nope. Most of the rust came right off off with a little WD-40 and lightly rubbing with a scrubby sponge. On the really bad spots where the chrome flaked revealing exposed (and rusted over) steel, I removed the rust with a dremel and brass brush, and coated over the steel with clear coat to try and prevent future rusting. I tried OA on a couple troublesome spots using OA soaked rags, but it didn't work well and I was scared might get to the decals somehow, so quickly stopped attempting that method.

Beautiful, you did a great job.

sweet... a 60's/ 70's cinelli is definitely one of the last few bikes on my must have checklist. interestingly, i just acquired a very similar bike as your cinelli. also in the 63/64 time period and by a top tier italian builder, with a first gen NR set up and universal 61's. i hope to unveil its identity with photos soon!

That is superb

Nice!

Unfotunately, the clear coat may yellow after exposure to UV. I have a couple of bikes with a lot of exposed steel. I use car wax. You have to be diligent checking the wax job every year. But it isn't as perminant as clear coat.

Great job, Alan. It's gorgeous!

I'd guess the all chrome ones somewhat rare. My friend in college had one, only chrome one I've seen in real life.

Really sweet.

Been waiting for this. Looks superb Alan. I know you don't need the peanut gallery quibbles but, shorten up that rear brake housing just a bit, maybe both, and thread those toe straps through the bottom of the pedal cages and twist them twice before exiting the cage. Other guys here too polite to say this, I'm sure. Of course, you're probably still fine tuning it. That said, you did an outstanding job on it. What a fine old bike. The rough spots on the frame just give it character and an honest use look. Splendid. What a bike. I don't lust after many bikes, but that is on the top of the list.

Congratulations Alan - stunning result. I've been waiting to see this one. If I were you, I couldn't resist springing for some NOS Universal levers with hoods. It would complete the bike IMHO and make riding more comfortable too. I got a set from Mike Barry in Toronto of Mariposa Bicycles, I believe he still has a few if you're interested. Anyway, what you've done is my favourite kind of restoration - gently bringing a bike back to life instead of turning it into something totally different. Well done.

Nice!!

Jake

Interesting about the toe straps... I was scared I'd cut the housing too short so left it long with the intention to cut later, not sure when (or if) that will happen :-)

Unfortunately for the pump to fit, the clamp needs to be lined up over Reynolds decal. I may put it back on, but think I'd rather keep it off and have the decal showing.

Good to know, I'll look out for it!

Well done! It looks great. Enjoy the hell out of it!

FYI, you can also get reproduction Universal hoods from Robbie Fellows.

It looks good. I would have been really torn and probably would have had it rechromed for big dollars as I just don't like peeling chrome. But, if needed it can always be done later.

Alan:

What a thrill taking a bike and bringing it back to its original glory without removing the patina of age. Your bike looks gorgeous and carries the dignity of its age well. You did a great job bringing your Cinelli back to life!

:thumb::thumb::thumb:

Shorter brake housings will tighten up the appearance a bit. It's a b**tch getting the straps inserted in the pedal cages. The angles. The sharp castings will tear the edges of the straps a bit but they'll be a lot more functional all tucked in. And safer. What tires did you chose?
nice bike :>

Rootboy already mentioned some of the more blatant items that can be improved upon: brake cable length, toe strap threading (although I disagree about double twisting, one 360° turn is always sufficient) and addition of the lever hoods. You might also want to switch the routing of the rear brake cable to the other side of the seatpost (it is more customary to have it run on the non-chain side to prevent it getting in the way of adjustments of the seatlug bolt), lower the stem somewhat (This is for safety! These old Cinelli steel stems do not like to be fitted that high, I have seen some get creased when raised that high especially when they are as long as the one on your bike), lower the cable guide at the BB so that the rear derailleur cable is perfectly parallel to the chainstay (your appears to be higher at the front), plus the replacement of the missing ring from the rear Q/R skewer.

With the bike as beautiful as it is already, it can only get better!

Right you are Citoyen du Monde. One twist of the toe strap inside the pedal cage.