Thanks guys, this is my new Serotta!
01-18-08, 06:14 PM
#1
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Thanks guys, this is my new Serotta!
Thanks to everybody who steered me in the right direction on this one. I think that I'll really enjoy working with this bike. I also think that it will ROCK in the mountains!
Having had very little time to look it over carefully, the only 2 things that come to mind are that I seem to have very similar seat stays to the ones that Cuda2K has on his beautiful '86 Nova and I also went over to the Serotta forum you mentioned and noticed that this gentleman's '92 Colorado LT w/ Tange Prestige has different seat stays: https://pics.bikerag.com/Uploads/data...otta_Three.jpg
So my guess is this is a pre-1992 bike..?? I have no idea what kind of tubing it has.
Anyways, thanks for your help. Like I said, it is dirty and needs work. I took the liberty of wiping it down with a damp rag. This is what I have:
https://
https://
https://
https://
That's not a dent in the dropout area, it's badly chipped paint with camera distortion
https://
Having had very little time to look it over carefully, the only 2 things that come to mind are that I seem to have very similar seat stays to the ones that Cuda2K has on his beautiful '86 Nova and I also went over to the Serotta forum you mentioned and noticed that this gentleman's '92 Colorado LT w/ Tange Prestige has different seat stays: https://pics.bikerag.com/Uploads/data...otta_Three.jpg
So my guess is this is a pre-1992 bike..?? I have no idea what kind of tubing it has.
Anyways, thanks for your help. Like I said, it is dirty and needs work. I took the liberty of wiping it down with a damp rag. This is what I have:
https://
https://
https://
https://
That's not a dent in the dropout area, it's badly chipped paint with camera distortion
https://
Last edited by bigwoo; 01-18-08 at 07:45 PM.
01-18-08, 06:26 PM
#3
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wow, looks to be in decent shape! COngrats!
BTW, those are record standard reach calipers and the rust doesn't look to bad. I recommend you completely disassemble them into all their individual parts and do an oxalyic or molasses bath on the steel bits... bet you can get them looking pretty good.
BTW, those are record standard reach calipers and the rust doesn't look to bad. I recommend you completely disassemble them into all their individual parts and do an oxalyic or molasses bath on the steel bits... bet you can get them looking pretty good.
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1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
Last edited by cyclotoine; 01-18-08 at 07:11 PM.
01-18-08, 07:07 PM
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Mark,
Even in that huge pile of rubble--- there was a diamond. I'm glad you found it. Blame me all you want! I'm glad to take it!
Even in that huge pile of rubble--- there was a diamond. I'm glad you found it. Blame me all you want! I'm glad to take it!
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Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
01-18-08, 07:17 PM
#5
Disraeli Gears
Jeez, weren't you complaining about the condition of the paint? What kind of perfectionist are you? Get out the bike wash and wax, and go to work! Take it all apart, clean, put back together and adjust, and you'll have a beauty for the springtime.
01-18-08, 07:19 PM
#6
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Lovely Serotta!
Guess it was destiny, the paint matches your rug!
Guess it was destiny, the paint matches your rug!
01-18-08, 07:25 PM
#7
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Cyclotoine,
I'm going to try the molasses trick
Pastor Bob, I think that I owe you one
Thanks WNG, I didn't notice until you pointed it out!
Last edited by bigwoo; 01-18-08 at 09:27 PM.
01-18-08, 08:15 PM
#8
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That's going to be a beauty, ya done good! Even though it hasn't received the loving kindness it deserves....that's what people like US are for.
01-18-08, 08:19 PM
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Very sweet.
Question though - if you found this in a junk heap, how did the guy selling it know to want as much as he did?
Question though - if you found this in a junk heap, how did the guy selling it know to want as much as he did?
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01-18-08, 08:45 PM
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It's a strange thing in that the bikes take a far back seat to the big metal stuff he's got there. To the best of my knowledge, he gets worked up about rocket/missile parts and engine blocks the way we do about a chrome Paramount.
He knows exactly how much he wants for every single frame in there, but at the same time seems to have a "F' You" attitude about selling them. My guess, and this is only a guess, is that he got very tired of the shipping when he used to sell these on the bay.
I have seen him run people off when they complained about a valid issue (such as a stuck seat post, a ruined BB, low-end components on a nice frame, etc) and then when I went back he would be speaking in a nice tone to some other party about the bike....
2 things he should remember are: 1. You can't take it with you when you die (and he is past retirement age), and 2. you catch more bee's with honey.... But I just bite my lip and get in and get out.
It's NOT a junk heap to him; it's a very valuable resource that we apparently should all be on our knee's for. Everything there is priceless to him...GOD help you if you ever tell him it's junk...I had to ask permission 2 times before I was allowed to start buying from his pile. And then some idiot pocketed a few parts and got us all "frozen" from the pile for a few months. But he does kind of owe me in a BIG way for referring him to Bob H's SLDB because before that he was getting reamed on classic Schwinns... It gets ugly sometimes as far as the "F You" attitude thing goes
Does that make sense USAZorro??
Last edited by bigwoo; 01-18-08 at 09:24 PM.
01-18-08, 08:51 PM
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Congratulations! You made a very nice score and made me a bit jealous.....
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01-18-08, 08:55 PM
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Nice ride...very good deal. Looks like a very fun winter re-build project to boot.
01-18-08, 09:27 PM
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He's not dumb by any stretch. He had originally said $450 and I just calmly said "pass", and then I said I didn't have but $340 to spend which was the truth. (I did ask him for a magnet as I thought that it was an aluminum bike. But when the magnet stuck, I suspected that it may be special. He saw the look on my face when I lifted it off the ground- My bad).
It's a strange thing in that the bikes take a far back seat to the big metal stuff he's got there.
He knows exactly how much he wants for every single frame in there, but at the same time seems to have a "F' You" attitude about selling them. My guess, and this is only a guess, is that he got very tired of the shipping when he used to sell these on the bay.
I have seen him run people off when they complained about a valid issue (such as a stuck seat post, a ruined BB, low-end components on a nice frame, etc) and then when I went back he would be speaking in a nice tone to some other party about the bike....
2 things he should remember are: 1. You can't take it with you when you die (and he is past retirement age), and 2. you catch more bee's with honey.... But I just bite my lip and get in and get out.
It's NOT a junk heap to him; it's a very valuable resource that we apparently should all be on our knee's for. Everything there is priceless to him...I had to ask permission 2 times before I was allowed to start buying from his pile. And then some idiot pocketed a few parts and got us all "frozen" from the pile for a few months. But he does kind of owe me in a BIG way for referring him to Bob H's SLDB because before that he was getting reamed on classic Schwinns... It gets ugly sometimes as far as the "F You" attitude thing goes
Does that make sense USAZorro?? Have you ever had to deal with a bike resource who was less than pleasant or am I just a dufus for putting up w/ it?? (Denver, Boulder, and CO Springs are done/picked clean. These are the last bikes that I'm aware of in the state)
It's a strange thing in that the bikes take a far back seat to the big metal stuff he's got there.
He knows exactly how much he wants for every single frame in there, but at the same time seems to have a "F' You" attitude about selling them. My guess, and this is only a guess, is that he got very tired of the shipping when he used to sell these on the bay.
I have seen him run people off when they complained about a valid issue (such as a stuck seat post, a ruined BB, low-end components on a nice frame, etc) and then when I went back he would be speaking in a nice tone to some other party about the bike....
2 things he should remember are: 1. You can't take it with you when you die (and he is past retirement age), and 2. you catch more bee's with honey.... But I just bite my lip and get in and get out.
It's NOT a junk heap to him; it's a very valuable resource that we apparently should all be on our knee's for. Everything there is priceless to him...I had to ask permission 2 times before I was allowed to start buying from his pile. And then some idiot pocketed a few parts and got us all "frozen" from the pile for a few months. But he does kind of owe me in a BIG way for referring him to Bob H's SLDB because before that he was getting reamed on classic Schwinns... It gets ugly sometimes as far as the "F You" attitude thing goes
Does that make sense USAZorro?? Have you ever had to deal with a bike resource who was less than pleasant or am I just a dufus for putting up w/ it?? (Denver, Boulder, and CO Springs are done/picked clean. These are the last bikes that I'm aware of in the state)
I've been a bit more fortunate. I've had lots of excellent dealings with people from BF especially with some of the locals. I have two very helpful LBS's, and arguably an even better one that's about 45 minutes away. I've gotten really good help from another (sort of) local fellow who's got a collection of 58 and 59cm bicycles that would make your jaw drop. Even the old man who lives on the main road and has a bunch of lower end vintage bikes out for sale every day the weather is nice is quite an agreeable fellow - although he will talk your ear off if you let him.
Right now, aside from climate considerations, I'm about as close to contented as a vintage bicycle enthusiast can get. I've actually gotten past the point where I'm looking for stuff for myself. Now to get to where I have more time to go riding.
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01-18-08, 10:29 PM
#14
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Thanks Unworthy1, Rabid K., and Poprad,
I thank all of you guys for getting me into this. I really knew nothing about this brand and was dumb enough to think that Serotta's were probably aluminum and/or Japanese bikes until yesterday when Zorro, Marty, and a few others clued me in.
I think that USAZorro brings up an excellent point re: contentment; It's time for me to start riding more and scavenging/flipping less. I am hoping to cut waaaay back on flipping and to spend more time on the saddle in the Rocky Mtn's this year. For the last 1.5 yrs I've been flipping like a madman and saving for a special Chicago-made Paramount that was my size, but it never materialized in my price range.
I think that I will be very, very happy with this bike and I can't wait to let it rip around some switchbacks in the mountains
I thank all of you guys for getting me into this. I really knew nothing about this brand and was dumb enough to think that Serotta's were probably aluminum and/or Japanese bikes until yesterday when Zorro, Marty, and a few others clued me in.
I think that USAZorro brings up an excellent point re: contentment; It's time for me to start riding more and scavenging/flipping less. I am hoping to cut waaaay back on flipping and to spend more time on the saddle in the Rocky Mtn's this year. For the last 1.5 yrs I've been flipping like a madman and saving for a special Chicago-made Paramount that was my size, but it never materialized in my price range.
I think that I will be very, very happy with this bike and I can't wait to let it rip around some switchbacks in the mountains
Last edited by bigwoo; 01-18-08 at 10:46 PM.
01-18-08, 10:50 PM
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Wow,
Awesome find! The thought of that thing in the deathpile is ...it's unspeakable. Awesome save!
Yeah, and if I'm not mistaken, your new ride is up there in Paramount territiory.
Awesome find! The thought of that thing in the deathpile is ...it's unspeakable. Awesome save!
Yeah, and if I'm not mistaken, your new ride is up there in Paramount territiory.
01-18-08, 11:03 PM
#16
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Bob
01-18-08, 11:51 PM
#18
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That's a really really nice find!
I bet it probably weighs in at about 22-24 lbs as it sits right now.
The paint is really nice, even in it's condition, which is actually really good! Now that you've found a bike like this, you really ought to restore it and/or possibly put newer parts on it, and then slow down with the flipping and get out riding!
PS- I really like purple on a bike!
See?
I bet it probably weighs in at about 22-24 lbs as it sits right now.
The paint is really nice, even in it's condition, which is actually really good! Now that you've found a bike like this, you really ought to restore it and/or possibly put newer parts on it, and then slow down with the flipping and get out riding!
PS- I really like purple on a bike!
See?
Last edited by ridethecliche; 01-19-08 at 12:03 AM.
01-19-08, 12:58 AM
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D
01-19-08, 05:44 AM
#20
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This is just one of those "make you feel good all over" threads!
If I had a congregation which biked to worship each Sunday, I could use it in a sermon.
And just think, it all started because of a chrome fork on a Continental.
If I had a congregation which biked to worship each Sunday, I could use it in a sermon.
And just think, it all started because of a chrome fork on a Continental.
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Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
01-19-08, 06:37 AM
#21
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Nice bike!
01-19-08, 11:07 AM
#22
Unique Vintage Steel
Very nice catch, you got a good deal.
01-19-08, 11:51 PM
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I am not an expert, but I have a 1984 Club Special with the same Cinelli bottom bracket shell... and the same two digit prefix 8 4 (indicating it was a 1984 frame). So your pre-1992 guess is right.
01-20-08, 08:42 AM
#24
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I just joined the Serotta forum and saw your CS and that color is BEAUTIFUL!
I was wondering if this bike was built on the 111'th day of '84?? As luck would have it, I just learned that S. Soderman is a master painter down in Denver. So I'm going to take the bike down to his body shop and ask him a few questions!
I don't know if they made a Colorado lt as early as '84 and I was also wondering what kind of tubing and dropouts you have on yours?
(The other thing I'm seeing a lot of contention about from Serotta owners is "fixie hipsters" converting these bikes, I thought chrome Bianchi's were the target for that...)
Last edited by bigwoo; 01-20-08 at 08:49 AM.
