The Moser frameset arrived from Poland today! Now another round of decisions ensue…



I am torn between a period correct restoration and making this a fast and comfortable rider. I had decided to keep it mostly Italian and started accumulating period correct Campy Record parts including DT shifters, brake levers, crankset, and derailleurs. I have not used friction shifters since my old Schwinn and they are likely to be the biggest contention.

Paint – I knew the paint was chipped, touched up and faded and I like shiny bikes so I really want to repaint. However the color seems so strange that I don’t think I could replicate it. It is like a red-orange with a really strong, almost a flip/flop metallic going on. I tested a gold metallic base with the red candy/anodized look on top. It was a nice color, but the metallic really doesn’t show through. It looks like a racy color, but not a 70s disco racy.

Decals - The other kicker is that the “Moser” graphics on the down, seat and head tubes are painted. I can buy decals that are correct, but there is something that is driving me to get the paint to as original as possible. Anyone have any success with stencils and painted logos?

Wheels – After finding the Moser catalog from this period online, I thought it would be cool to get the Mavic tubular rims, but I was convinced that I would not go on long rides because of the flat/maintenance headache. So I am back to looking at a set of black aero rims I have kicking around, stretching the rear to 130, or do I find a set of freewheel 126 rims in polished aluminum? The Mavic MP4 were actually gray on the higher end Moser models. Somehow the black rims look wrong on this bike when I test fit them. I suspect it has to do with the chrome and aluminum exposed.

The inability to match the color has got me thinking about just making it any color I like rather than a compromised match. I am not building this to sell, so I could take the mindset that whatever suites my taste goes. Yet, I am somewhat bothered by the adage that repainting reduces value. I assume a faded and chipped frame reduces value too. Does a repaint take it from collector to worthless?

Is the Pope Catholic?

From that pic I see no reason for a repaint.

Handsome frame.

Did you say you had the fork as well?

Also, don't be afraid to go with a modern Campy group such as Athena.

Would look fantastic.

hi, I got a moser junior (24" wheels) the paint was not really exceptional on mine also. but it is what it is.

today I repainted a frame with automotive spray cans and it turned out great if you have skill.

your frame is 126mm spread, you can get 7 in there with no trouble,

you can see if there is any other moser color that turns your head.

my best ride came with a pinkish, beige color- people said not to repaint but after everyone agreed it looked WOW because of the color choice.

we would like to see more pictures, of details of the frame, please consider getting a photobucked account to get big pictures up.

where are you located???

thanks

Thanks for the quick feedback. Puch, I have followed a repaint of yours in another thread and it turned out great. Good inspiration.

Here are a few more pics of frame only...I will post a few from wheel mockup later.

honestly- have you taken the frame into a car parts shop and checked how close you can come with spray cans?
you may get real lucky, like I did with my masini migani, I resprayed the top tube after repairs and it was spot on!

I may have to try a different auto-shop as the reds in Dupli Color all looked darker and had less metallic. The other thought was to find a car on the road and then reverse the lookup, but this color just doesn't strike me as anything I have seen recently.

Gomango, on the fork, yes. It is a nice chrome Moser fork with the Moser logo etched in the top shoulders.

Go modern if your gonna keep and ride it.
If it's an occasional rider keep it period correct.
I think dts depend on the frame size for ease of use.
I ride a 57cm and its almost the same reach to the
dts from the flats as it is to the brifters and same with the drops.Do or did campy make index dts.If not modern cassettes work very good in friction. 7spd 126 mm wheels are to be found

I was leaning toward tithe "cold set" for the frame to 130 then get an 8 speed cassette to work with the Nuovo RD and friction shifters. A new 8 spped cassette can be found cheaply and in an 11-28 range that helps the 53-42 crank with the hilly terrain we have here. I also have a PG-850 chain kicking around somewhere.

I understood from reading online that Campy did make DT indexed but hard to find or it would require modifying bar end shifters.

about color...

I once flipped a light blue metallic bike, I got it a the dump , it was one year old and the painted fenders were all bent up,
went to look for a color and the closest match was a blue w/o metallic
what to do? this was an expencive bike!
I painted the fenders blue and dusted then with silver before clearcoat- turned out great!

you need to visit a paint supply house-they have thousands of chip charts and can hook you up

Actually now I think about it 7spd cassettes in road sizes are
hard to find.I am using a 9 spd cassette on a 126 mm wheel
with one sprocket removed. The spacing stays 9 spd and I use
dura ace 9 spd dts.And I always use the index option even tho the friction
works very well.

Here is a mock up photo with my test paint object on top of the seat tube. I think the original color may have really washed out the red-orange candy coat on top. So I may just take a little artistic license with the gold and red anodized paint.

I know the 28mm Gatorskin yellow isn't doing any favors for the look.

After inspecting the frame further...does anyone know what the nail head on the right inside of the seat stay is for?

To hang the chain when you remove the wheel.

Why do you feel that these two things are mutually exclusive ?
All the pros back then seemed to be pretty darn fast and reasonably comfortable with the equipment they had at their disposal ...

I'm in the same situation with my Guerciotti build...stay period correct or go with modern bits? I'm picking out the best of both.

Thats what I did on my tommasini. With Campagnolo parts, it can all look cohesive. The bike looks as if it is from 1996 until you count the cogs.

period:
ergo housing
brake calipers
crank arms
front hub
rims

modern(ish):
ergo internals
Chain rings
chain
deraileurs
rear hub