Top Tube replacement is on of the most difficult tubes to replace.

Gotta love it or there is no way except to salvage the parts. I know GC show significant value on the bay, but is this really worth the effort? It is original only once. Kinda reminds me of the vintage hammer that had the head replaced twice and the handle 3 times but it was purchased by the great great grandfather and is perceived to have antique value.

I picked up this Cinelli on the cheap with the intention of restoring it. It must have been left outside for an extended period of time because the chrome lugs are pretty rough but, luckily, someone greased everything so I haven't run into any major mechanical problems.....yet.

Just wow. That's what I call a winter project Absolute diamond in the rough. Do you have a special thread on this one? Would love to follow the progress.

Finish this project for my daughter-in-law.

Decide how to build this one…

Decide just what to do with this one…

You are 100% correct; I love it. Fixing this bike has absolutely nothing to do with percieved value, or trying to make a buck on ebay. It has everything to do with the fact that I love CA built Masi GC's, and I want to ride the piss out of it when it's done. The bike was given to me; when all is said and done, I'll have a beautiful frame for less than what I'd pay for a new, made in china tig welded steel frame.

as far as parts, this bike is a mess. It's a mix of many era's of campy, from a pat 73 rear der. to the 10 speed crank. Brakes are mis-matched, front weel is toast. And none of it is in great condition.

On the originality front, I agree; its only original once. I look at this project like a guy into hot rods would look at finding a sweet classic car in a barn that was hit in the front, and left for dead. What do you do with it? Part it out? Scrap it? Heck, you turn it into a hotrod, right? That's what I'm going to do with this bike; I'm going to turn it into something very special.

And, at the end of the day, in addition to being a guy that's passionate about breathing life into broken bikes, I also ride them. A lot. To those that ask why, I ask; Have you ever ridden a CA Masi? If the answer is no, then perhaps you just wouldn't understand....lol

IMO, if you're into this hobby for the money, you're in the wrong hobby. (unless its to spend money) If however, you love bikes, and you love riding them like I do, then my winter project might make sense.

Buying wheels for this one and finally finishing it up.

SvenMN - I understand. My PaTREK 650 is much like that. I will never get the money or time out of it. I may not even like riding it when I am done! I will enjoy the tinkering and tweaking along with the experinces and education! I say go for it! What parts are you planning for it?

I've always liked that frameset.

DAY : 3
of stripping frame down I hate to wait LOL !! I found out it has a RGF stamped BB Bracket and the Chrome goes partially up the rear dropout tubes . theres always more room for chrome !!

I passed along the early 80s Peugeot U09 to my daughter-in-law several years ago. She loves her bike and the constant compliments she receives while riding the trails. And she loves the stem shifters and the "safety" levers on the brakes. However, she hates the heavy nutted 27" steel wheelset and the poor braking when wet. Long story short, I volunteered to do some upgrades from my spares over the winter.

700c wheelset is a from a mid-80s Peugeot PH501, with NOS bits in the Helicomatic hubs. 13-28 6 speed freewheel. Seems to be living harmoniously with the Simplex SX-410 RD/SLJ FD and Simplex stem shifters. The original steel handlebars have been swapped out for Nitto Classics, the hard black vinyl bar wrap will be replaced, probably with black Lizard Skins, with the original Weinmann brakes levers. I have a set of Tektro R559 nutted long reach calipers coming. And I have an aluminum 25.4 mm seat post I will have turned down to replace the steel 24 mm post. Haven't decided on tires yet. And maybe Santa will bring her a Brooks saddle...

As you say, way more $$ invested than what the bike would fetch on Craig's List, but actually a pretty cheap stress reliever!

Bryan

I'd like to finish what I've started:

'47 Maclean


And start these....

'55 Hetchins


'57 Carlton Flyer

^^that Hetchins is stunning.^^ Cant wait to see it built up.

Here's mine. This was cheap from a friend who is the same size as me, after he bought something new and shiny. It's a Specialized Allez with a steel frame from 1996, I think.

I'm betting it needs a chain at least and maybe a cassette and chainrings too. The chainrings are particularly worn-looking. I should probably learn to do a complete overhaul over the winter on this one. I need to jump into the world of bike repairs and learn to do this myself over the winter rather than paying a LBS big bucks to do so. I've been on the Park Tool website but haven't ordered any tools or parts yet.

I have a book on bike repair, YouTube, the Park Tool website, and this forum. I managed to keep a couple air-cooled VWs alive as a younger man, wrenched on the odd motorcycle here and there, and I also assemble electric guitars from parts. I can build a Fender Stratocaster from nothing but a pile of parts, just like you guys do with bikes, but all the different tools and parts and the whole zen of bicycle repair is foreign to me at this point.

I figure I should just jump in and get started and it will all make sense after a while. Hopefully I can start right after the holidays as things quiet down in January.



More pics of the bike here, if anyone is interested or has advice to offer: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ts-of-pictures

Thanks.

already looking much better !! you guys have some beautiful bike projects !!!!

Project 1 - 79 CIOCC - frame currently in Italy with Giovanni Pelizzoli (Mr CIOCC himself in the pic). replaced both seat stays and rear dropouts, and as of today, is being painted. build will be late 80's C-Record/Deltas.

Project 2 - 80 Cinelli - modern 11 sp Record/Shamal build. coming along nicely. pics soon.

I doubt I will finish this this winter but restoring this:



I might get it built up to test it out and then strip it back down for paint.

i am jealous of you folks with basements and garages. i have 2 bikes in the dining room and 3 in the living room. and i'm staring at a wheel in a truing stand on the dining table. lol

I have a book on bike repair, YouTube, the Park Tool website, and this forum. I managed to keep a couple air-cooled VWs alive as a younger man, wrenched on the odd motorcycle here and there, and I also assemble electric guitars from parts. I can build a Fender Stratocaster from nothing but a pile of parts, just like you guys do with bikes, but all the different tools and parts and the whole zen of bicycle repair is foreign to me at this point.

I figure I should just jump in and get started and it will all make sense after a while. Hopefully I can start right after the holidays as things quiet down in January.


i'm no expert bike mechanic, but bikes are not very complicated. sounds like you have the skills, just need some knowledge. you listed some good resources. i take my bikes to my LBS to do the things i don't have the correct tool for or tools that would cost too much for a few uses. good luck. you'll have fun.

Agree and the Carleton as well.

just finished a mock build up to see how she rides .... very nice now its just finding the right parts !!!!

For the love of god!!!!! I think I have finally figured out how to post pics

Another St. Louis area find.........Picked up this Fuji Royale at the St. Louis Bike Swap a couple of years ago while walking around with fellow C&V'er CV-6. I've monkey'd around with the set-up on this bike several times. I've managed to keep it pretty simple. Replaced the seat post, center pulls. Replaced the stem with an 1 1/8 adapter, as well as the bars and levers. I think it has a nice gravel grinder vibe to it. Tomorrow morning it's off to the Milwaukee Bike Swap.

Found this on CL a year or so ago. This was quite literally "a little old lady bike". The elderly couple selling this also had a matching mens bike that sold right away. This one sat unsold for a few months.

I will make a point to finish this for my daughter by springtime...........