Henry III

I was never one for grail bikes but I've had this fascination with two builders (Guerciotti and Pogliaghi)that I always kept an eye for on eBay. It's hard finding decent vintage Italian road frames in my size(49-51). So it seems for the last two or three years I've been getting a bike for my birthday which was at the beginning of last month on the 6th. Nothing all that great but still fun to get bikes for presents.

I spotted something about a week before and was watching it and it was pretty inactive on bids even up to the last minute. I think there was maybe four bids total between me an another person. I had some extra cash saved up from some overtime I was working and with what my wife normally spends on me for. The seller was a well known shop owner/collector in the NW so I didn't feel too worried and has 100% feedback. The pictures weren't the best as was the description but nevertheless it's what I wanted and darn it I didn't really care. I know it wasn't show worthy and quite honestly not sure I wanted something really flawless being too scared to ride it. I know with the frame I built I felt that way with the paint job on it's first chip.

So I started hunting down parts as it was a total cluster of components and nothing really worth keeping besides the Campy BB, Cinelli stem and bars. Everything else got sold which didn't fetch me much. Either way I'm finally coming down to the final stretch on finishing this build. The seller roughly dated it around late 70's and that's what I'm guessing also. It has the decals I absolutely love compared to the later versions and some little touches like the use of recessed nut calipers(incase I ever want to do a resto mod on it). It's also pre TSD which also is something that really mattered to me. Not saying TSD are any less of earlier siblings even if the paint and decals held up better. It just seemed more authentic to me.

It's not complete but should be by the end of the week with my two derailleurs arriving on Friday. I had a 2nd gen C-Record rear derailleur on it and at first wasn't sure what direction I was going to take this build. I figured I never really had a somewhat period correct vintage bike so this would be my first. I had my Ciocc last year I rebuilt and was a mixture of Campy groups and it didn't really do anything for me so that went to another member.

I've always like the look of Nuovo Record over Super Record for some reason. Probably just my wallet talking since it seems like most parts are almost double in price over NR. I was originally going to build the wheels myself but the price the shop down the street charges $25 per wheel and compared to anyone else in the area. He's the cheapest and does a great job and we get along really good and always hooks me up.

The wheels are 32 hole low flange Record hubs with straight gauge stainless DT spokes laced to polished Sun CR18. The skewers may be an eyesore to folks but the ones that came with the bike were mismatched and junk. I had these laying around so why not. lol.

I'll quit blabbering and post up some teaser pics. These are Ipod quality and will take some quality pictures when I'm done this weekend.

Henry III

Yes those are Eggbeaters...I'm on the hunt for some more correct pedals. lol.

Michael Angelo 

Looking good.

JohnDThompson 

"Drillium Dude" has some appropriate Superleggero pedals up in the "For Sale" section:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...leggeri-pedals

Henry III

Hi John

I spoke to Jeff the other day about those and just waiting for the funds to arrive from some things. Their in my sights though. I've got a pair of nice Dettos I've been waiting to try out. Never been a toe clip guy but this project will be my first.

onespeedbiker

I'm not sure how long you want to wait for the Superleggero pedals, but I recently picked up a MKS copy and Torelli Tipo Uno toe clips and straps (total price around $50) to take their place on my numerous fun rides; including a Nuovo Gran Sport crank and I think they look surprisingly retro.

onespeedbiker

I have seen those gold chainring bolts before, but they seem to an anomaly. I'm curious if they are plated steel or anodized aluminum?

Road Fan

Those rings were anodized Al - one of the first blingy Campy parts I recall.

flash2070

Beautiful bike! I like the 70's Guer myself! Congratulatins on you getting one of your grail bikes!

Flash

cbresciani

Very nice, I'm also a Guerciotti and Pogliaghi fan myself. I'm still looking for a nice Pogliaghi road bike.

Henry III

The chainring bolts are anodized aluminum. I really wanted to do yellow touches here and there but the bolts turned out to be gold when they arrived. Can't win them all. I just picked them up since the original had a mixture of Campy and Sugino bolts that weren't very pretty looking. Plus a good set of Campy ring bolts are pricey for what they are. Plus I saved some weight also. lol.

I actually have those Torelli Tipo clips on my watch list right now and funny that you posted those up. They're also pretty easy on the wallet also. I also won a Super Record seatpost and can ditch the SR Sakae that's on it now and put that back in my Schwinn Circuit. I really like the NR posts but hate adjusting those things. It's coming so close to be done.

Picked this up for just $24 shipped.


Not sure I'm sold on the bar tape. I really like the look of perforated tape but the comfort of cork tape. Those I ripped one side twice installing it. Normally I never have issues tearing tape willing installing it. This stuff was fragile as wet toilet paper. I may even try some cloth bar tape but I'm a pretty big wuss and really like cushy cork tape too much.

bici_mania

Just out of curiosity, how does everyone else define "grail bike"?

My understanding of the term has been that it was essentially any bike highly prized by the owner.

2112YYZ

Those look pretty nice, where did you get them?

Henry III

I think of a grail bike as one of those things that once you have it that you don't need to look anymore. People will probably have different ideas on what their defination of a grail bike.

Henry III

Postal lady dropped off presents just minutes ago!

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*runs to shed to install*

Soylent 

This is going to look great.

Henry III

I had to swap out freewheels just before. I've read before people could get a NR rear derailleur to work with a 28t cog in the rear? I really wanted it to work out but it's not too much of a issue. It's a little hilly here but I'll just stick to the more flat sections of town. It's got a Suntour 12-21 five speed freewheel on it now. Maybe I'll pick up a 13-25 down the road. But now it's pretty much done. I'm waiting on my Super Record seatpost but atleast it's 98.9% done now. I really like it though. I might toss on a slightly longer stem though as I feel just a little cramped. I'll have to measure it compared to my bike I got fitted with.

onespeedbiker

The pedals from Boulder Bicycle https://www.renehersestore.com/servle...s--dsh-/Detail and the clips and straps from Cambria https://www.cambriabike.com/Torelli-T...raps-Brown.asp https://www.cambriabike.com/Torelli-T...rown-Large.asp

Henry III

Not sure why these pictures are so washed out. I'll have to take some when it's not so sunny out.


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2112YYZ

Thanks!

Henry III

I received some smaller pieces like later Record levers and the coiled RD cable housing. Just waiting on my SR seatpost. It's so close to being done! I also scored some high flange Record wheels also incase I want to play dress up with it. Now hopefully I can find a single SL to match my other SL pedal I picked up. I can ditch these things that are on there now.

Michael Angelo 

Very nice.

Henry III

Nobody comment on the pedals or calipers. They kill my grail mojo when I ride it. lol. Though the unbranded Tektros dual pivots stop quite nicely.

Velocepedia

Hell yes ... nice bike by the way, I had an aluminium Guerciotti before it gave up after 22 years. Now rebuilding a Ciocc.

GasPowered

Great looking bike!

Cheers