A couple of you guys may remember my very first post on this forum, when I was yet another noob snooping for info on a Craigslist mystery frame. For those few who may have wondered what ever happened with that, here’s an update.

Once you guys helped me figure out what it was, I soda blasted the pieces and discovered firsthand just how crappy those guys in Novi Ligure did their chrome plating in the late 60’s. No substrate buffer metals, just chrome on steel. Thus the only chrome to survive 45-odd years & the elements was the plating on all four Campy dropouts. Imagine that. A crusty-chrome lining to that cloud was that I was no longer worried about modifying something that was either rare or special. So I carefully cold-set the rear for 130mm, then handed it over to Alex at A-Train Cycles to verify the alignment. He also added a FD cable stop similar to the other originals, near the bottom of the back of the seat tube. Next I had it powder coated with a wild chameleon flake that has a bit of the original factory turquoise flavor, or sapphire blue, or purple depending on your meds & viewing angle. Aussie repro decals finished it off before I installed some moving Campy chrome.

Unfortunately now that I’ve gotten this far with it I realize I’ll probably have to sell it. The spend-o-meter spins triple time when buying shiny old Italian stuff, and it only gets worse from here. I just can’t bring myself to bolt on any bits made somewhere other than “the big boot”. So speaking of boots, I realize now that I may have shot myself in the foot by personalizing it with these colors, but that’s easier to see now that it’s done. I actually love how it turned out, but as we all know opinions are like belly buttons. Every one of em stinks sometime.

As many have said here, a donor bike may be the way to go. Odd sized or bent frames will sell for bargain prices but since you're only using the parts, who cares about frame problems?

I'm fully fixated on your finished Fiorelli photographs.

What size is that one?

Nice job. If it fits you I would hold onto it. You've got some $ and time into it, just be patient to build it up. I am pondering a similar fate for my Fiorelli-built Coppi. The paint is ok, but the chrome is toast. At this point I've decided to ride it a lot as is. It is a very nice ride:

Find that fairly funny!
Frameset figures 56cm.

Thanks, jeirvine. I remember your posting when you first found that one. You've got me thinking about how badly I wanted to ride this thing when I first found it. Maybe I will hafta hold out for a donor.

Its only new once and if it is on the edge of rotting away, it is worth saving. I have a couple of frames that fit that description. WRT Patina, I am of the opinion that if rust is not an issue, don't touch it.

I recently purchased a Pinarello with paint that was wrinkling off. Sounds weird but it was a mess with rust. This frame does not have any chrome, which makes it hard to identify as all the decals fell off long ago. I decided to strip it to save it and to improve its appearence. Glad I did. There was rust under the paint that was not apparent before the strip. I also have the opinion that the owner can pick and choose the color they want. Who would expect a 25+ year old Italian steed to not have either paint, chrome or decal issues? Any you do find are likely redone. Except for a few marques like Confenti there are plenty of examples and they are ridden every day.

I may not have chosen the level of flake in your paint but that doesn't mean it isn't a great looking bike! Looks like a keeper to me. Keep searching for parts. It is amazing what you may find. The Pinarello mentioned was found for $150 and had some Dura Ace components on it that are worth at least as much as the price. This week I found a set of wheels, NOS like, as they have never been used, Campagnolo Omega Strada Hardox Aero (not listed on VeloBase) configuration mounted on Chorus hubs. The owner bought them for his TT bike 15+ years ago, hung them in his basement and never mounted tires (no glue). Skewers included. $50. The rims alone sold for $200 on ebay. This was a CL listing that was over a month old!

Keep the faith, be diligent and patient.

I don't quite understand why you "have to" sell it. Restoring frames for resale is usually a money-losing proposition. If you like it, then get some parts, build it up, and ride it. If you don't have any and you really want Italian, buy another Italian-equipped bike, use the parts, and sell the frame. The non-Campagnolo Italian brands form the 70's-80's (Galli, Ofmega, Miche, Gipiemme, Modolo, etc.) look good and perform well, and can often be had much cheaper than Campagnolo.

You're right, of course. In the mean time I'll call it "Art". Yeah, that's it.