Sir_Name 

Hello All -

Here are a few (well, a lot) of pictures of my most recent acquisition/project. The best I and the seller can make out, this is a 1983. The bike appears to be team issued to Danny van Baelen, who rode for Boule d'Or that year. After reading through another post here, the fact that this bike has three cable guides is a little troubling -- I have never seen this, and another member believes that this is an indication of a Colnago knock off. That being said, the tube stamping and lug/crown/BB shell details all appear to be 'correct'. Plus the fact that the frameset came with original-to-the-bike Boule d'Or panto'd components (for extra $$, of course - pics in comments). Apparently Colnago outsourced a fair bit of frame building around this time, so perhaps the three cable guides is a result of this. If not, I think I'd rather not know...

Any tips on how to do a light preservation would be appreciated, (along with any info in general) The inside of the tubes is coated in some sort of grease, and I have a can of Framesaver waiting to go in. I'm not sure if I should attempt to clean the inside of the tubes (of the grease) before doing so.

One tip I have found online to (relatively) safely remove/address surface rust is by lightly wrapping cotton rags soaked in Evaporust around the tubing in problem areas - waxing those areas afterward. Does anyone have experience with this? I'm hesitant. I have had good luck in removing little bits of surface rust from the 'C's in the fork crown using the aluminum foil & Coca Cola / lemon juice trick. What else should I know??

I am doing a period correct SR build with Ambrosio tubs and/or a set of clinchers.

If anyone has components they are looking/willing to part with, here's what I still need:
-Ambrosio tubs
-Stem and bars (3ttt - black or anodized preferred, unsure of stem length at the time being. Now that I have a headset installed I can get to ironing out that detail)
-Cranckset + Italian BB (no big ring needed, but can't hurt)
-Front & Rear derailleurs
-Shift levers w/ hardware (metal washers preferred over plastic)
-Brakeset Brake-shoe Holders
-Brooks Swallow and matching bar tape (honey color)
-Cables for Campy - NOS would be a nice touch
-Brakehoods
-Chain
-6 or 7 speed freewheel (Regina, etc)

I'm not looking to (i.e. really shouldn't) buy all at once, maybe 1-2 parts per month depending on price...
(FYI, this is one of my first posts, so I don't believe I can use PM yet)

I'll set a thread in the classifieds at a later time, just figured I'd throw this info here now while I have your attention...

I am away from home -- and my bikes -- for the next week or so, these pics are from the seller. Enjoy!




EDIT: While I'm at it and this thread is fresh, I'm open to any suggestions on an Italian saddle. The Brooks would be the only part keeping this from being a pure Italian build, though I do love the looks of the Swallow. A Selle San Marco Regal in brown could look nice. I'm looking for form and function here. Thanks!

If anyone has better google-fu than me and can find a pic of Danny on this bike (or any additional info), I'd be eternally grateful...

https://www.cyclingarchives.com/coure...coureurid=7027
https://www.bikeraceinfo.com/classics...ix/pr1985.html

Teams

1983 [BEL] Boule d'Or (Belgium)
1984 [BEL] Tönissteiner - Lotto - Mavic - Pecotex (Belgium)
1985 [BEL] Tönissteiner - TW Rock - BASF - Humo (Belgium)

Sir_Name 

The parts...

bconneraz

looking forward to seeing this come together. Nice bike!

Drillium Dude 

I've gotta get some sleep now, but I will sign off for tonight by saying no matter how many cable guides are on that top tube, that's the genuine article. In great shape, too - and what a pretty color! That deserves full-blown Super Record for sure

Looking forward to this build!

DD

Sir_Name 

Thanks! I can't wait. I'm hoping to be riding her by this coming summer.

Sir_Name 

THANK YOU!! I did a quick comparison to yours (lugs especially) and couldn't come to any other conclusion. Excited to build her up!

gomango

Looks great.

I'll certainly enjoy this thread.

Thanks for the pics.

Sir_Name 

Thank you! I'll enjoy updating this thread!

jjames1452 

Beautiful, Classic, Sleek, and much more!

Sir_Name 

Thank you much! I can't go anywhere near the room it's in at home without handling the frame and unwrapping the parts. This is my first Italian build and I am beyond stoked for it. Spending some time loving on each of the new components as they come in makes it all worth the wait (almost).

repechage

I like the brake lever milling very much. The cutout pattern must have been "standard" for one of the milling subcontractors that a few Italian brands used and it very well done. The pantographing will be a nice embellishment.

That is a big frame. Perhaps that is why it has 3 guides as the top tube appears pretty long and the loose center section of cable would be quite extended with only two guides.

gomango

That's what we figured at the shop today.

Well the mechanic did, as it might not have dawned on me.

Sir_Name 

Great point. The top tube measure 58.5cm c-c, 61cm seat tube c-t.

EDIT - and thanks for the kind words about the lever blades/panto. This is my first dip into the world of Campy (go big or go home...), and I must say that I am blown away. Handling these versus all of the old(ish) Japanese alloy that I have worked with certainly credits the Italian mystique. I love Suntour/Shimano/etc, but Campagnolo just feels different. And that style. I'm psyched.

thirdgenbird

The cable stops/guides are all messed up on my Nuovo Mexico too

i look forward ward to seeing this built.

Sir_Name 

Thanks! The feedback from DD, repechage, and yourself about the cable guides has put my mind at ease. Handling the bike, I somehow KNOW that it's authentic (along with absolutely everything else about this bike), but seeing that note about '3 guides = fake' certainly got my gears turning...

Nice looking bike! (I found an old post)
I have never seen one of these with the cables routed under the top tube, though your frameset appears to be a bit newer than mine. Speaking of newer... How do you like the feel of modern components on vintage steel? I had briefly considered 10sp Campy for this build as I could get it at wholesale (still big $$), but being able to grab panto parts original to the bike sealed the deal on a PC build for me. I do love the look of these modern-on-classic builds, though (I know it's a mixed camp).

From the post about your Mexico:
"...but it is a different tool for a different job. (That's how we justify this stuff right?)"

That's how I justified this project, a hardtail that I may grab from a buddy, a vintage steel/modern components build that's way off on the horizon, a full CF build...
I think I have a problem.

Kactus

I have a set of recessed Record brake calipers that I would be willing to part with. I can't think of a more deserving use for them... that bike will be amazing! I don't have the proper pad holders for them, they are wearing early holders with Kool Stop salmon pads right now.

Drop me a PM if interested and we can work something out.

And definitely go with the Ambrosio rims and tubular tires!

thirdgenbird

We are pretty sure my bike is the same age. Mine has a partial documented history. In 1997, it was sent to Joe Bell for a repaint and frame work. The frame was cold set to 130mm, the original cable guides were removed and replaced with stops under the top tube and the shifter bosses were removed in favor of head tube stops.

I love modern components on vintage steel. You get 90% of the performance of a modern bike at 10% of the price. I also think it will age better than a modern frame. Not necessarily in durability, but in style.

im guessing my different tool quote was comparing my Tecno to my Mexico. Both the frames and the builds have a different feel to them.

Sir_Name 

"I have a set of recessed Record brake calipers that I would be willing to part with. I can't think of a more deserving use for them... that bike will be amazing!"
Aw, shucks. Thanks you!

"I don't have the proper pad holders for them, they are wearing early holders with Kool Stop salmon pads right now."
No worries, it seems they are fairly easy to come by.

"Drop me a PM if interested and we can work something out."
I'm currently sitting at 38 posts and can't send PMs until I hit 50... Feel free to contact me here: dinan.robert at gmail .com

And definitely go with the Ambrosio rims and tubular tires!"

Sir_Name 

"We are pretty sure my bike is the same age. Mine has a partial documented history. In 1997, it was sent to Joe Bell for a repaint and frame work. The frame was cold set to 130mm, the original cable guides were removed and replaced with stops under the top tube and the shifter bosses were removed in favor of head tube stops."
Well, that certainly explains it. Looks like excellent work.

"I love modern components on vintage steel. You get 90% of the performance of a modern bike at 10% of the price. I also think it will age better than a modern frame. Not necessarily in durability, but in style."
Couldn't agree more. I had also briefly considered C-Record era for this as well, but I wouldn't have been able to use the big chainiring with the top-end crank offering (due to the 'hidden' spider arm). When I was considering that spec my thought would be that it would turn out as if someone went with this approach around that time.

"im guessing my different tool quote was comparing my Tecno to my Mexico. Both the frames and the builds have a different feel to them."
I'll have to look into that build as well. There are so many pretty bikes on here to catch up on and see...

thirdgenbird

C- record hidden arm cranksets accept standard 135bcd chainrings. I've got a set on my tecno with chainrings form a normal 5 arm crankset.

here is the tecno in it's latest form. I just put new (nos) tubular wheels on. Still haven't mounted tires as this bike won't see the streets for a few months.



Joe's work is excellent by the way. Hard to believe the frame is older than me.

Kactus

A Selle San Marco Concor or Selle Italia Turbo in black and white bar tape would be period appropriate for the bike.

If it's good enough for Saronni...

Sir_Name 

Indeed. I have been considering doing a full Saronni build for this ride, but would love the look of tan leather & matching bar tape on the Saronni Red as well (a slight nod to a certain fine Italian auto marque). So many options...

Sir_Name 

Wow. Beautiful work! I love the look of the black hubs on the yellow paint of the Colnago, by the way. The comparability issue I found with using the C-Record crank arm (not chorus) was that the pin on my SR chainring wouldn't line up with the crank arm. That could be a slight safety issue should I ever drop the chain toward the frame, plus it would be a nasty cosmetic wart. In the end I'm glad, because I may have gone full C-Record if not for that detail. Now that I'm all-in on period SR I think I've made the 'right' choice for myself and my wants for the build.

I'll just have to find another ride to put some C-Record on down the line. I absolutely love the look, and your Tecno looks absolutely perfect with it. Wonderful build! Enjoy it and your new tubs! Did you have clinchers on it prior? That would be an interesting and direct comparison in terms of ride/feel.

Great bikes.

SJX426 

Beautiful frame set and nice set of parts! how do you know it is an "83?

thirdgenbird

Ah yes, the pin. I just removed mine. I can ever recall doping a chain to the outside of a well set up bike. I'm not too worried.

You are on the right path however. The parts you have are ideal for this frame. You can find a c-record project later on down the line.