Tankbullock

I've just acquired this little beauty and was just wondering whether anyone on here could help me to date it. I'm guessing here but I don't think they put the World bands on until after World win in 82, so I was stabbing at 83 onwards but I haven't really got any actual factual basis for that.

I've atattched a few pics but if anything more specific is needed, let me know....

Giacomo 1 

I'm not a Colnago expert, but I'm posting to get this thread bumped up for someone to help you. I can't believe that no Colnago fans have chimed in yet.

But I'll tell you, that is a very nice looking bike! The pantographing is just great in that over-the-top Italian way and I love that color. I'm going to guess, early to mid-eighties on this bike just going by the decals and gruppo, but again, I'm no expert. Better pics of this bike in better light would be helpful to...

Chansd5

My friend, just talk really tenderly to it and wine and dine it!

Gary Fountain

A very nice pick-up indeed. I would guess at mid 80's too (seat stay caps look this vintage). I don't know if it is possible to put an actual date on a Colnago of that vintage.

Another unreliable source that may assist dating is the groupset. I cannot see if it is a Campy rear derailleur but is there a date code on the rear derailleur? I think Campagnolo stopped putting a date code on the rear derailleurs after 1983. The crank arms are still fluted though (no flutes post 1984). Is there a date code on the arms? - perhaps 1983? Very nice curved gear levers - look custom - perhaps ICS (Swiss company modifying Campy components) worked levers?

My guess would be a 1984/85 frame - only a guess though. A very nice bike with an iconic paint scheme.

Tankbullock

Thanks very much for the feedback. Yes, I'm pretty pleased with it. I was intending to buy a fairly affordable peugeot PX10 and ended up with a not so affordable Colnago!!!

I will post some better pics when I get chance.

rootboy 

Love those curved shift levers. I'll bet that's not easy to do. Beautiful bike.

Bianchigirll 

I agree the shifters are very nice. I think the best way to date it, if you wish to assume the components like the brakes and cranks are OEM is to use the date codes but that may only narrow you down to a few years.

Bianchigirll 

rootboy 

Looks like the heads of the shift lever bolts are panto'ed too. Very cool.

Went in for a Peugeot and came out with this? Good call!

gomango

1983 sounds pretty close.

Yours looks like it could be a fun and easy clean up.

Do all the safety related items, normal maintenance, and some decent tires.

.....and by decent I don't mean those $20 crap shoots.

These are decent riders btw and make great zip around town road racers.

How are the decals holding up?

Mine weren't clear coated and looked very rough. Made most of my Supers looked ratty due to decals and paint issues.

We were never able to find the exact replacements for my 1984 Super.

I'd like to find a really nice Mexico frameset and do her up in the Saronni scheme.

Tankbullock

The Decals are spot on. The whole bike is in pretty remarkable condition all round to be honest. I can't wait to get out for a decent ride on it!

Gary Fountain

That will be some ride. Such a beauty.

Drillium Dude 

I think Gary's got it right: '84 or '85. The rounded-end seatstay caps, different headlugs and fork crown details are later refinements as regards the last of the Supers/Mexicos. But, wow - is that one a survivor or what? Looks as though it was hardly ridden!

Looks as though the brake levers are milled, too. I love the curved gear levers; what does the cutout on the underside of the BB shell look like? I'd love to see more details - and I can't be the only one

Lovely bike - great score!

DD

Tankbullock

I will get my camera out later on and post some detail shots.

I can't wait to get out on it. My mate has just finished restoring a Gios Record, so we can hit the highway and re-live our youth a little.

If you want to give me a list of bits you'd like me to photograph, ill do my best to get it all up this afternoon.

Many thanks to everyone for responding!

poprad

I call early 80s as well, the semi-sloping fork crown is a give away. Gorgeous find, need more pics!

gomango

Having that very nice seatpost and stem included are an advantage.

A Colnago fan could end up paying through the nose for these extra items.

....and they are in favorable condition!

More pics please of the drive train, decals, stays, bottom bracket and head tube please.

I'll have a better reference when I go to copy the bicycle.

Tankbullock

Tankbullock

a few more...

gomango

Thanks for the additional pics.

You won the lottery!

So clean and complete.

Good for you, that's a great pick up.

Definitely a keeper if the fit is correct.

Tankbullock

It's fits like a glove and what a ride!!!

Like I say, I had a peugeot PX10 (lovely bike too) lined up, but it wasn't in the same nick as this and was a few cm's too tall.

When I saw this baby, I was blown away. Like you say, if you start trying to find Pantographed parts second hand, you can end up spending as much again.
Plus you've got to find the stuff, alongside everyone else on ebay after the same bits as you!

So although, I had to shell out a few hundred more than the PX10, it's ready to ride and is pretty much as it left the showroom.

Only thing that look wrong to my eyes are the pedals. They are Campag, but they just don't quite seem to fit period wise. I could be wrong, but i would have expected them to have been all silver rather than black/silver?

busdriver1959

I believe the brakes are prior the 80-81. That's when I got my first NR group. The ends of the brake quick release lever had a bubble or dome formed where you grab them with your fingertips. I'm assuming that the SR group had the same change although I don't remember if the brakes were really different between the two groups. The wheel guides were coated with plastic, per CPSC regulations. That's so they wouldn't scratch you during a crash as you skidded along the concrete at 25 mph on your bare skin. The first thing I did when I brought my group home was cut the plastic off the wheel guides and I believe others did too, so that may not be a good indicator of age. As for the pedals, the SR group had alloy cages anodized black rather than chromed steel cages on the NR pedals.

Gary Fountain

There are a few period differences with the Campy groupset but that is not uncommon with bikes of this vintage. I know most of my bikes (over many years) have been put together well after their actual build dates. Buy a frame here, a component there, until the bike can be built up. It would be interesting to look for the manufacture dates on the hubs, rear derailleur and cranks - I'm sure they would indicate either a groupset that has been purchased as a gruppo or a groupset that has been assembled over a period of time. The brake callipers do look to be an earlier version (pre 1978).

I think your Campy pedals are period correct. You need some Campy toeclips, either steel or alloy (steel is better) or a pair of Christophe toe clips. A set of Cinelli 'Binda' laminated straps would be a nice touch.

I wonder what percentage of forum member bikes have been put together as components as opposed to bikes that are original - as first purchased?

I still think your Colnago frame is 1984/5 vintage.

gomango

Yes, Gary, my money would be on you for a correct vintage assessment.

As for a number of members that do a slow build on framesets, I constantly marvel at members here that do fast builds/rebuilds on acquired framesets.

In most cases they look outstanding upon completion.

I, on the other hand, move like a glacier on builds.

My current De Rosa project has languished for over a year over final details and acquisitions.

Many years ago when I raced for a shop in Mpls., framesets often sat around for a season or two until they were pressed into service, often with parts available on hand.

Gary Fountain

I like to build a bike up in a day - after components have been collected. But, I have been known to take up to 5 years to put a bike together. This is usually due to identification questions, correct colour schemes, actual period components, or all of the above.

A De Rosa just lying around would drive me nuts. I know who would build the better, more correct bike though - you have it all over me.

gomango

Flattery will get you everywhere with me!

But after seeing pics of your wonderful collection over the years, I am a first year rookie in comparison.

...and don't forget Gary, I build out some but not all of the bicycles I ride.

I have friends that are some of the better race mechanics in this area.

The work they do is unparalleled and I would never put my work in the same category.

Plus it gives me an excuse to hang out at the shop from time to time.

I do love the vibe and bustle in an excellent bike shop.