It took twenty years of planning and one year to actually get it done, but now I am finally finished.
This is my vintage 'pride and joy'; my 1960 Modell Campagnolo Capo.
Capo bicycles is an Austrian company founded in 1930 by Otto Cap; Hence Cap-O , Capo. And that's about all I know about the early history of the company itself. I acquired my Capo in the mid-80's from a gentleman who delivered bread to the restaurant where I worked at the time. I went to his house to buy some 'top of the line' racing bike when he mentioned that he also has 'this old rusty thing' he'd part with for 250 bucks. Needless to say I bought the old cotter-pinned classic with the intention of restoring it, but before I did I put thousands of miles on it and even managed to earn a few trophies with it. We have a lot of history together.
When I finally committed to restoring my old friend I decided to go all out. I had Cyclart repaint the frame and pin-stripe around the lugs, and duplicate all the really cool decals. They did a great job. I also carefully cleaned and polished what I could save of the original parts. The rest I acquired through the internet and, of course, through Ebay.
So, 25 hundred dollars later here it is. Maybe I spent too much time and money on it, I don't know, but that's not a concern since I plan on owning it for the rest of my life.

Beautiful job, my compliments. Now you've gone and got me wondering if I shouldn't go ahead and restore my Gitane Tour de France frame instead of converting it to a fixed gear. Thanks alot!

Here are some more pics:

That is far and away the nicest Capo I've ever seen. The seat lug/seat stay work is very unique. What is that hole intended for on the top of the rear brake bridge.

Cheers.

Thanks Don D
I don't have a clue what that other hole is for other than maybe for appearance

Yeah baby! Gorgeous bike!

It's not a Bicycle. . . It's Art?

Do you plan to ride it?

What a stunner! One question though; why didn't you have the headstock badge replated?

Same question here. Not that it matters, really.

This is a magnificent bike! What a wonderful way to treat an "old friend." I hope you plan to ride it.

Yes, I do plan on riding it a lot but I'm dreading getting that first nick. After that I'll be okay.
I thought about replating the head badge but I kind of like how it looks as is, old and beat up, as a symbol of its history.
Thank you for the comments.

Yes, I do plan on riding it a lot but I'm dreading getting that first nick.

I usually eliminate that problem by getting a nick in the bike in the process of putting it together.

Gorgeous bike. Good job. This was a labor of love and money doesn't matter(as long as you can afford it).

Wait till John E. sees this. He has a Capo also which he has restored. I'm sure we will hear from him soon.

Nice, very nice.
John E. has some company (see above post).
nice to see the other Austrian Bike

Marty

Thanks for posting your pictures, Rob! I don't blame you for replacing the original Agrati cottered steel cranks with cotterless. Is that a TA Professional or a Campag. Gran Sport? Your Capo looks great, and about the only gloat I get is that my nickel-plated Capo badge is in better shape than yours.

Have you sent any pictures to Hary Cap?

We have less than a dozen confirmed Capo sightings in California: three in the greater S.F. bay area, one in Modesto, and four in San Diego County (including one of Jim Cunningham's employees at CyclArt), plus the chap in Missoula MT, after whose paint job I patterned mine.

As others have noted, the cube in the center of the rear brake bridge is drilled horizontally, obviously for the brake caliper, and vertically, perhaps for a fender. The Capo seat tube clamp and head lugs are pretty distinctive, too.

I can confirm seeing one in a Los Angeles area shop. It's owner is an eBay seller notorious for improperly describing junk he's selling.... (allamericanhero!). The Capo was in the back room of his shop when I went there to pick up a frame I won the bid on... I ended up leaving that frame there, as it was improperly described. The Capo may still be in the back, as supposedly, that was the owner's "keeper" stuff.

Meaning what? The owner hasn't figured out how to improperly describe it yet?

That's probably it... There were all kinds of better quality bikes back there. The Capo stuck out in my mind, as I hadn't seen one before. I believe it was built with Gran Sport or Record ('50s-'60s). The front part of the shop looked something like half pawn shop and half bike shop, with a few interesting bikes hanging there too. Nicer stuff in the dark back room. In case anyone wants to stop by there, it's on 12312 Venice Blvd.

Original equipment = Gran Sport derailleurs, Record high-flange hubs, Agrati steel cottered cranks and road quill pedals, Weinmann Vainqueur 999 centerpull brakes, Brooks Pro saddle

I have seen two stock gearing schemes: a knee-wrenching 52-48 / 14-16-18-20-22 and 52-46 / 14-17-20-23-26, which is more my "speed."

These bikes can be quite whippy, but they are supremely comfortable on a long ride. Mine forces me to try to pedal very smoothly, which is a good challenge for me, a natural-born klutz. My 1960 (S/N 45211) was a gift from a friend; my 1958/1959 (S/N 40324) was a $20 yard sale treasure. If I knew the what I know now, I would have had the top tube and down tube of my 1960 Capo replaced after my one and only collision with a motor vehicle. Oh well, live and learn ...

Hey John. Thank you for your comments. So, do you want to trade Badges?
Yes those are TA cranks. I think I got rid of the cottered cranks about a week after I acquired the bike. 'Never was a fan of cotter pins. So with the difference in chain ring size I replaced the original Campy deraileurs with a Campy Record on the back and a nameless Campy something on the front. The seat post, pedals and clips are vintage Campy that I got off Ebay. I think the rest of the parts (minus the saddle, tires and straps) are original or exact replacements of the original parts. I even lucked out with finding white Weinmann brake hoods.

I haven't sent pics to Mr Cap yet but I was thinking of mailing him a disc. It would be really cool if he'd offer a little more info on the history of the Capo company.


Do we have enough Capo owners to start a cult?

More pics:

Is that Eleganza bar tape? How do you like it?

I threw the box out but Eleganza sounds familiar so that's probably it. It was about twenty bucks at Bicycle Trip (Santa Cruz).
I love it. It looks like vintage leather with the threading running through it, but it's actually rubber, and seems like it will be more resistant to scrapes, such as when the bike is leaning against a wall and it tries to roll away.

question:

Does anyone have info on adjustable handlebar stems?
The only other bike I've seen with this set-up was a BSA track bike from the 1930's

The adjustable-reach stems were original equipment on the fancy 30th anniversary 1960 edition "Modell Campagnolo," but not on my 1959 (1958)? You guys also got the fancy brazed-on trim at the top of the seat stays, the fork crown, and the rear dropouts, as well as the pump pegs and the rear brake cable hanging tabs.