ParamountScapin 

Rather than post all our bikes in one thread, I am starting a new thread for Serotta where all Serotta can be posted. I will also do so for Scapin. Others should do so for Trek (under both Road Cyling and Classic & Vintage), etc.

So here is my '98 Serotta "before" picture. Has an Ultegra headset and BB (ugh) on it now. I will be putting on a Centaur 10-speed group with Chris King headset, Phil Wood BB, Connex chain, and Ksyrium Elites. Haven't decided on the bar/stem and saddle/seatpost combos as of yet. Probably Thomson, Salle Italia and whatever for the bar. Essentially, whatever I can get a good deal on from eBay or Campy Only. I'll post again in a month or two when I get the bike together.

So post your Serotta's (and Treks and Scapins and Deans and whatever else).

ParamountScapin 

Now, just where did those pictures go? Let's try this again.

georgesnatcher

Nice bike! Is that a "retired" race bike? Noticed what looked like it may have been sponsor stickers.

ParamountScapin 

Interesting history. Was a prototype lugged steel frameset that was a precursor to the current steel frameset available from Serotta. The 'Rosse' name is Serotta's mother's name. Thus the Rosse decals. There is a set of Sidi decals I haven't been able to learn anything about, as of yet. However, they are under the clearcoat, like the Serotta decals, so I am not sure about them. The frameset has a serial number of SP 00014. The SP stands for Serotta Prototype and the 00014 stands for the foirteenth one built. I believe this was the last of the lugged models. There were also a similar number of TIG welded prototypes, as well. That should be seven of each. I have ask Serotta and they thought that they only built two TIG'd framesets and had forgotten about the lugged ones. In fact, they ask me to take the JPegs I posted so they could have for their archives.

I am unsure about the meaning of the 985 on the top-tube and whether SIDI had anything to do with this particular bike. I don't want to do anything cosmetic until I find out the complete history. I would like to have it repainted, but Serotta cannot supply the Rosse decals (obviously, the Serotta name is no problem). I don't want it refinished and not have the full set. Any help out there on getting new decals? Can they be made to match these?

For now I will simply try to match the color and touch up the bike and will use as my 'flatland' machine here at the Jersey shore. Will be great fun to get it built-up over the winter while I am on the MTB and trainer. Then hit the road fresh in the spring.

If and as I get more history I will post. Thanks.

F1_Fan

Sadly I never took a single picture of my Serotta 7-11 Team Issue Ser# 80433. Bought the frame from Alex Steida. I never asked him the history of the frame but I liked to think it was a Tour bike Also cool was that the frame has been beat up but it came with a new set of decals. I repainted the frame to match the original colours and then had a "new" frame.

Beautiful frame... the best handling and fitting frame I'd ever owned. I sold it to a triathlete who then ran it into a car (or so I heard).

I contacted Serotta maybe 10 years ago to learn that he didn't archive the specs for the one-off team bikes. That's a shame because I'd love to replicate it in new frame.

lotek 

Whenever I get a digital camera I'll post pics
of mine. However here are the details of the frame:
Serotta Nova Special, 53cm 1990 model but built
late 1989. Campy Chorus 8 speed gruppo, Record
headset and BB. Mavic GP4 (new) rims with Chorus
hubset. Serotta ITM quill stem, Deda 215 bars.
Colour (since its important) is Azure blue, with white
decals.

Marty

ParamountScapin 

I just heard back from Todd Loiacono at Serotta, who has been most helpful. Here is the rest of the story direct from Serotta.

I was wrong about the number of the 'Rosse' bikes made. There were only two and I have one. Wonder where the other one is?

Rosse was Ben Serotta's mother's maiden name.

This bike also has a decal on the front of the steerer tube that is a large script 'R' with the words Den Haag above it and Saratoga below. Den Haag is the name of the town in Holland from which Serotta's mother came. And, of course, Serotta is in Saratoga, NY.

I will have to have decals made with the Rosse name on them as Serotta does not have. Same with the decal on the steerer tube. Which Serottas are great bikes, I am psyhc'd by having a pretty rare one.

Anyone out there have any good sources for decals other than CyclArt?

tmcdet

wouldn't you be better off not having the frame refinished? from the pictures the frame does not look that bad, I would just build it up as it is.

Avalanche325

I agree with tmcdet. At least in the car world, an original paint job is more valuble than a restoration, as long as it is in decent shape.

ParamountScapin 

Lots of scratches and scrapes. Paint worn off under the cables leads on the side of the headtube. Not that bad, but I would like it to be a bright red or green. It is not the original color in any event. I neglected to mention that it came from the factory in blue and white. That might be very nice. Was repainted to the current orange. That reminds me. I will ask Serotta if they can supply a picture of the original finish. If so, will put on this thread. Thanks.

lotek 

I posted in the decals post before questioning repaint.
Where did whoever had the bike repainted get the
original or replacement decals? You might ask the seller
if he knows.

Marty

georgesnatcher

Have you talked to Serrotta about re-painting it as it originally was?

tmcdet

have you tried posting on the Serotta forum and asking the guys over there? There are alot devoted Serotta people that might be able to help you, plus I bet they would really like to see the frame

lotek 

Oh yeah, the Serotta Phorum, you should really
post pics to the Gallery, both before and after.
That forum is attached to the official Serotta web page.
URL is Serotta Owners Forum

Marty

ParamountScapin 

One more bit of info I just received. The bike is orange as that is the Dutch national color. Guess I am stuck. However, I think I will go with a pearl orange rather than the straight orange. And I will also go with black on the letters rather than white and yellow.

Thanks to everyone. Am getting quotations from CyclArt, Kookbikes and Serotta for the refinishing and decals.