peregrinemarch

*wall of text alert*
Hello!
I recently purchased a 1970-75 Grandis Superleggera on CL for $300. It's worth more in parts alone, but I like the idea of performing slow restoration and the fit is perfect. I've replaced brake cables and housing to start, and swapped in my Brooks B17 for *very* beat up but beautiful Selle Italia Super Turbo saddle. This is also my first Italian road bike and I'm excited to ride something other than my 1980's no-name road bike.

There is considerable rust on frame but I'm almost certain this is not structural damage. Details are below but I have a few questions to start:

1. The frame will need to be repainted but paying a professional is a bit out of my price range. The original color is a brilliant orange but last owner spray painted part of down tube and top tube with yellow to stop rusting. To prevent any further damage to the frame from rust, I am considering doing this myself. Perhaps in a few years I could pay a professional to redo the job, but in the meantime, is it better to give it a go myself? Here is a photo of (almost) the same bike redone professionally: ITALIAN CYCLING JOURNAL: 1980 Grandis with 1982 Campagnolo SR Gruppo

I'd be happy with something mid-way between this professional job and a less expensive home restoration. Is it worth the time? Also, i'd like to use a paintbrush to redo some of the detailed painting around lugs and insignia. Most DIY bike frame painting instructions don't have info on this kind of work-- does anyone have a useful resource for learning how to do this?

2. The vintage 3ttt "Record" quill stem (photo attached), which looks great but forces me to stretch too far over the handle bars. I have another Nitto aluminum stem on my other bike that I'd like to swap. Is this a vintage restoration faux-pas?

3. Owner said full Campagnolo but I'm not sure about the crank. Can anyone identify this crank based on pictures?

The bike has excellent craftsmanship and some really exquisite details that I love. Would be thrilled to personally bring this bike back to glory and appreciate any advice from the community! Please let me know if you need more info/details.

Cheers!

Specs:
55cm Grandis Special Gran Prix from approx 1975
-Campagnolo Nuovo record group, brakes, seat post.
-Wheelset has Araya rims and aftermarket (Japanese?) hubs with new tires.
-Cinelli Campione del Monde bars

bikemig 

You could always get someone to do a powder paint single color close to the original. Those tend to be reasonable. I know that's considered some sort of sin on C&V but a good quality paint job will deal with the rust issues and give you a beautiful bike to ride.

repechage

Welcome to C&V.
I really dislike it when my post freezes up.
to recap;
Stop the rust but leave the bike as a War Horse, it has an appeal.
Overhaul it. Cranks are third tier Italian, not Campagnolo.
Brakes are second tier Campagnolo. Get new pads, kool stop or similar.
If you like the bars, get an earlier Cinelli stem, one for 26.4 bars, this stem is designed for 26.0. Sell off the 3ttt stem afterwards.
So, double check the fit before you do that to select the length you need.

Check the wheels, save the shift cables if they have a c in a diamond embossed in the cable end as those are Campagnolo, or at least use the rear on the front if the rear is frayed.

rootboy 

Do you have any previous experience in spray painting? If so, it could be worth a try.

parken

I agree, mostly…
I would definitely leave the original paint and stop the rust spots with an antirust oil (I use OWATROL OIL, it stops metals oxidation without altering the color, I'm not sure the very same product can be purchased in the US but something similar should be available); Campagnolo Record cranks would be definitely appropriate but they are expensive…
The brakes are definitely not "second tier" but are not period correct: they are the last generation Record brakes (85-87).
I'm sure that if you disassemble the bike, clean up the frame and touch up the rust spots this bike will shine!

peregrinemarch

I've done some more research and am now fairly certain this is not a Superleggera but a Special Gran Prix based on some frame details including the way shifter cable are guided to derailleurs: https://www.flickr.com/photos/404020...57630420580924

I don't have experience with spray painting so perhaps this is not the time to experiment. Only problem with using anti-rust agent is that part of the frame has already been sloppily spray painted by previous owner. I guess it's not terrible and also appreciate the war horse appeal of this bike.

Might go for the Campagnolo record cranks one day too.

Thanks for the help!

Sir_Name 

Greetings. Here are some links you may find useful. Thanks parken for suggesting OWATROL OIL, that's a new one to me that I may have use for!

Paintfill:
Paint-Fill Tips

Paint touch-ups:
After Touchup
The final comment on this page mentions using this technique on a Grandis. Quite apropos, no?

(I'm on mobile, so if the links are no good or don't apply let me know and I'll fix when able)

peregrinemarch

These are great resources, thanks for the tip!

rootboy 

It would be nice to keep the original paint, but with all that ugly yellow paint on it I think it is a candidate for a re-spray. By the way, you can try removing some of the yellow paint, in an inconspicuous place, with a rag dampened in mineral spirits. Often it will be softer than the original paint and come off with some careful elbow grease and lots-O-time. But if you see vast patches of rust or corrosion evidence under the yellow, it may not be worth it. If much of the original paint is still under that yellow mess and the yahoo who did it just overkilled it a lot, it may be worth it. Save up for a proper paint job and do that bike justice.

Sir_Name 

My pleasure. I second rootboy's comment above. Keep us posted (with plenty of pics)!

repechage

At first glance the calipers appear later Record yes, but if you look closely at the quick release it is the simpler version as used on the Gran Sport brakes, just open/closed not the cam.
Campagnolo cranks would be nice, an "aged appropriate" set might be found for a reasonable sum. I have been patient and found them for $70 US not too long ago. I would spend money elsewhere first unless the chainrings are worn out. Looking at them they might be getting there.

I like my Grandis very much.

Pogliaghi

I have a very similar Grandis to Chucks. I determined it to most likely be from 1972. Here are a few photos

KonAaron Snake 

I'm envious of all of your early 70s Grandis (grandi?). Mine is a bit later - I think 79' but haven't contacted them yet. I agree with repachage - maintained it as is and slowly up grade it to the parts you want - but enjoy riding it in the meantime. I'm another here who think Grandis made some lovely, lovely bicycles with a lot of class and style.

unworthy1

BTW, that crank is an early Ofmega, back when they used an eagle (or some bird) instead of the later simple "tilde" loop logo.
Love to see all these Grandees, they are truly grand!

peter_d

I stripped my Grandis to bare metal and did a home repaint. No reason you can't do a very nice paint job with care and patience and it'll be more appropriate than powdercoat on a bike like the Grandis Plus you have the option of having it professionally done in the future if you want. I got my decals from a guy in Germany but others may have them now.
Workmanship is excellent, brazing and filing the best I've seen. Mine weighs a touch over 20lbs on my digital scale, amazing for steel.

You're very lucky to have found a bike built in a small family owned shop by dedicated craftsmen. Enjoy!

gomango

Quite attractive.

It is fun to see these in this thread.

peregrinemarch

Thank you for sharing. I apologize for delay but my Grandis project was put on hold for a bit. I did a thorough tune-up and have been riding it "war-horse"style.

I have questions about your home white Grandis: was stripping done with sandpaper and patience or did you have a chemical bath? did you use spray paint or a brush? did you paint over the chrome on the cap of the front fork? also, is the stem original?

Lastly, a question for anyone- the gum colored brake hoods were totally ripped up when i bought the bike. is there a less expensive alternative to the vintage campy hoods that would be a good fit (even if just while I save for originals)

pictures will follow soon!

peregrinemarch

Grandis replied to my email about identifying the bike with the following information:
"It's a Grandis's frame handmade in Verona, from 1969 to 1975. It's built by Silvino Grandis.We've the correct decals and we sell them.Thank you for contacting us."

I recently finished removing the yellow spray paint and going over the frame with some almost color-matched orange Testor's paint. will post pictures soon.

peregrinemarch

quick update for those interested-
Replaced
-modolo brake levers for Campy nuovo record ($40 at vintage bike show)
-Ofmega crankset for Campy nuovo record ($70 with pair of campy brake hoods thrown in)
-3ttt 130mm stem for cinelli 1A stem ($20)

Removed yellow spray paint and did paint retouch with hand-mixed enamel paint (match isn't perfect but better than yellow spray paint by a mile)

Retaped bars with blue Newbaum's cloth bar tape, cotton twine, and wine corks for bar-end plugs. All coated with 2 layers of clear zinsser shellac.

Absolutely loving the new look and will wait before investing in professional repainting sometime in future.

The Golden Boy 

That's a beautiful looking bike @peregrinemarch!

CroMo Mike 

Not that's what I was thinking. Beautiful update without trying to make it "new again." What you have is a classic and original old bike that was well used and showing its mature age, but not really neglected or abused. Enjoy the Italian ride!

Stevensb 

Looks great @peregrinmarch! Hard not to like an orange bike and I like the colour combo with the bar tape, cables and Brooks. Consider your front brake cable routing - over the bar? - and look at the spacing of the top tube cable clips - more evenly spaced along the tube? - (makes my OCD sensibilities twitch as they are). Cheers. Brad

peregrinemarch

hey gomango
did you cover the decals in a layer of clear coat after application?
thanks!

Lascauxcaveman 

Well, since all the other usual suspects have already posted on this thread, I'll join in the fun:



Original paint and everything from the original owner's build, except for cable guides, cable housing, tires and bar tape. Oh, and a longer Cinelli 1A stem. Lots more pics on the thread I made for this bike.