ViperZ

*Edited-2006/10/06* Added a Recent Completed Photo








Hello Folks, Well I was going to wait until I got the frame, but I could not contain myself when the first parts of my new Project "The Italian Job" arrived.

It was a Bianchi catalog I received back in the late 70s where it was full of Celeste beauties built up with Campagnolo Super Record, Record and Nouvo Record that started it all. I remember fondly drooling over those bikes, much like the A-typical young boy that discovered his father's Playboy magazine collection for the first time

Italian bicycles have always symbolized Bicycle racing and the heritage of racing to me, as such I have always wanted a full Campagnolo C-Record Equipped Italian bicycle since as far back as I could remember, a classic Italian bicycle, or even a newer full Italian bicycle. I suppose it would be pretty easy as all I would have to do is shed the Litespeed frame and move all the parts from it to an Italian frame (and I have though of this many a time) however that would be too easy, and I'm not quite ready to give up the Litespeed.


So I got a good deal on a Steel 1982 Colnago Master, said to be in excellent to perfect condition. The only thing is the fork is from a newer Colnago, as such is a straight Chrome unit. I have started to collect parts for it's build up but as I research it's build, I find I'm waffling in it's construction and would like to build it with newer parts in the shifting and speed department. As much as I would like a full C-Record Bike, I don't look forward to the lack of performance in the brakes, or in the 6-7 speed only cassette. With the bike built up like this I would only be able to ride it with the "B" Group rides, and could not hope to keep up to the "A" Group riders. This got me thinking I would like it to me more a modern classic bike, using Classic Cues, however updated parts, much like today's refined Hot Rod cars with disc brakes, fuel injection and electronic ignition...etc.

Time will tell to the direction and progression of this project, as I'm in no hurry and sourcing the parts may take a while. I must say as much as I wanted a classic, a Modern day classic with Aluminum 10 speed Chorus/Record appeals to me as well.


Here is the first stake in the ground for the Project. It is a Campagnolo C-Record Crank Set from the 80's. It has the Campagnolo shield engraved rather than screen printed on, apparently it was only made like this for 1 year. It has build in Campagnolo crank pullers, that were more common on bikes back then. I have an old 70's Shimano 600 bike that had the same style of pullers.







To me the C-Record Crank stands out as the most recognizable and most beautiful crank set ever made, however that is just my opinion. The reason why I did not buy a C-record equipped bike back then was it's performance really was behind Shimano Dura Ace/600/105 at the time. My Heart wanted Campagnolo, but my brain told me other wise. Today it will not matter as it is intended to be just a fun bike to build, own and ride around on slow days.

I'll post pictures of the frame once I get it and the project as I progress. If you guys have any suggestions or have leads to parts, please let me know

Stay Tuned.....

*Edit* Added a few Frame Pictures

SingleSpeeDemon

That is a beauty of a crankset, but it must be nice to have a C-Record equipped ride for the "slow days". I can't wait to see the end result, as I dream of building a bike like that somday.

ViperZ

Thanks Singlespeed! It's the common dream like yours that makes me want to keep it classic However a full 10 speed system on this bike may keep it from being a "Slow Days" bike

Eatadonut

How can you tell what line of campy cranks those are, and is the engraving thing they do for the first year of every line, or just for C-record?

ViperZ

As for the line of crank it's just from memory and dream knowledge The engraving is definitely a thing of the past. Super Record and most older Campy stuff was always engraved, they even engraved the bike maker's name and or logo on a lot of Campy parts back then, this was known as Pantograph parts.

I'm not sure when Campagnolo stopped engraving/embossing the parts, but it is a tradition that is sorely missed by me.

roadfix

I still have my Record crankset from the time when I ordered my 1993 Litespeed Classic. I believe my 1992/93 crankset is engraved. My C Record track cranks are engraved and I believe that to be from the late 80's or early 90's.
I'll check to see as soon as I get home from work this evening.
I must say they are beautiful cranks though, especially with the engravings.....

ViperZ

You have a vintage Record crank set on your 93 Litespeed? That's awesome!

Another crank set I'm fond of is the Campagnolo Super Record. It just looks like a serious no nonsense piece. I like it in the early Pantograph versions.

I was considering a full Pantograph bike, but most of that stuff is in Super Record and earlier Record stuff. Additionally the right part is hard to come by, still I'll keep a lookout for that stuff.

I wish the new Record stuff had a bit more classic elegance as an option to the all performance Carbon as well. Campagnolo should release a limited edition group that celebrates the C-Record Panache, but done new style, I would be in line

Ostuni

the juicy photos of the campy crank will keep us happy for only so long.. better see some frame action quick...

55/Rad

Sweet. I do like the engraved version. I guess I'll just have to get rid of mine.....

14max

I realize this thread is all about Italian/Campy love but, to be a contrarian, I really like the look of the mid to late 80s Shimano Dura Ace. Utilitarian and pure lines...

SingleSpeeDemon

Yep. I don't want to stray off topic, but I agree. I think the latest Dura Ace looks a little odd with that "melting" crank arm. Gimme old school anyday.

And about the Campy crank...I'd recognize that anywhere. I believe it was the only one it their line-up that had the fifth arm of the spider obscured by the crank arm. Damn sexy stuff. I have a Campy Daytona crank and I'm thinking about having the "old" campy logo engraved on it--just for class.

ViperZ

Hoping to oblige you soon Tone


OK, throw your stuff my way It'll be hard to get the Embossed matching components becasue they were only made like that in 1986


I already own that Dura Ace group as it came on my Trek. I agree, it's nice too in it's own way, but somehow doesn't have the same elegance as the C-Record Group to me. It is utilitarian in it's look and operation, that is why at the time I chose it over a C-Record Colnago. I'm glad I bought the Trek, but I wished I had the cash for the Colnago then too What I like is the Dura Ace Gunmetal finish and the rear deraileur, it has so much more detail than the new Dura Ace stuff.




Here is the Derailuer I would have to use, but it's only 6 or 7 speed





Now try to find a set of Deltas withthe Embossed Campy Shield... I could be waiting a long time.

2004 Chorus with Aluminum Ergo Power levers?

Pasqually

https://cgi.ebay.com.au/Colnago-campa...QQcmdZViewItem

here are your brakes, you know you want them. I would too.

ViperZ

I Know... I have been watching them, but I think they are going to go for more than I want to pay

Actually I could settle for a pair with Embossed Shield only.

Thanks for being my eyes though

14max

Have I mentioned (lately) how badass your Trek is? Man, the whole thing just screams excellence...

ViperZ

Thanks Max! Thats an old picture before the upgrades... Should I switch it back?

blandin

ViperZ - Can't wait to watch you build another bike, especially with your great picture taking ability. Are the Colnago and Litespeed going to frolic together in the water for some hot bike porn shots, maybe towards sunset?

ViperZ

Thanks Blandin, It's going to be a lot slower build than the Litespeed I think as the parts will be harder to find, and I'm not quite as sure of the direction with it.

I will have to collect the them for the frolic pictures

I realized how goofy it is to start a build off with just the crank, I hope to have the frame soon, so I can get photos up of it.

Here is another picture I have of it, other than the one in my sig.

roadfix

Hey, I've built a bike around a crank before.....it's definitely doable..

ViperZ

Thanks for the affirmation Fixer It makes perfect sense, heck, a project could start around a Bolt Titanium of Course

R900

Wow, that crank is a beaut, but seeing that frame, those brakes would be very special as well. Regardless, I can't wait to see the final product, it will be awesome - that I know for sure.

John

Surferbruce

oh man if i could find pinarello panto'd campy cranks my fixed gear would go back to gears in aheart beat...
viperz- jump on the brakes dude!!!

JRider

Are you planning on using dowtube shifters or integrated? I have an '85 Viner "Special Professional" frame and fork that's in limbo right now like your Colnago. First I was going to convert it to a fixed gear, then just a SS, then I decided I'd rather have it all geared up, then I decided that putting cheap or Shimano parts on it would be blasphemous to a vintage italian bike, and now i'm deciding whether to put DT or integrated shifters since I think i'd like to train on it in the winter. Too bad there are only holes drilled for one water bottle...

Damn you, bike projects, damn you straight to the bank.

the beef

That's a beautiful crankset..

ViperZ

Thanks Guys

Surferbruce, isn't your Pinna that beautiful Orange unit with chrome lugs and matching pump? If that's the one I'm thinking of, I always coveted that bike, but as a geared unit


Jrider, I'm not sure about the shifters right now. Part of me wants the Down tube shifters for the classic touch, but it would then become a bike I would not ride too often during club rides because of the gap of a 6-7 speed, plus I would have to ride with the "B" group to keep up I would like a 10 speed system on it with Silver Aluminum Chorus Shifters/Brake levers, that way it would perform like a modern bike and would allow Me most of the advantages of a modern bike.

Though I like down tube shifters for the classic feel I'll see once the frame rolls in and what type of parts I end up finding.