should i convert my windsor professional?
 

i picked up my first single speed last summer at a used bike shop, a converted bianchi road bike. i took off the drop bars, threw on some straight bars, a brooks saddle, and rebuilt the BB and tore it up all summer. i had a blast on it, but its just too small for me (im 6'3), and my best friend is going to take if off my hands ;) while i was riding around last summer, a buddy of mine pointed to the lugs on my bianchi and said it was like his dads old bike, and how funny it was that the bike has been in their garage forever but he hadn't ever seen his dad ride it. well i got interested and asked to see it. turned out to be a pristine (no kidding almost perfect) Windsor Professional, bright orange with creme behind the "professional" outlined in blue. has a stelle turbo saddle in good conditon, and all the original campagnolo parts, even the cheesy plastic campy pump (is cracked and doesn't pressurize but funny that it was still on it). only non original parts on it is the wheelset. apparently changed to a modern set because the originals were lace up wheels. well i taked to his dad about it, and i guess he got it for riding around campus during college in the 80's and hadn't ridden it since he graduated. well i talked him into selling it to me. the bike is in fantastic condition, but im just not a fan of the orange and blue color scheme. my question is, would it be crazy to remove the braze ons and have it powdercoated for my fixie project? how rare are these Professionals, if any? would i better off leaving it be and saving up for a track frame like a bareknuckle or something similar? thanks for the help everybody, and sorry for the long post.

ugg no, don't do it to a windsor. i mean if u really want some project to do, who are we to stop u, but honestly, if you are just going to spend money to convert it, why not get a real track bike. i heard people say they have done spraypaints on their own. i did it twice and will never do it again. it was such a pain. i personally wouldnt do it. its sounds like an awesome roadbike. does it even fit you correctly.

it fits me well! the original owner was maybe a half inch taller than me. and i wouldnt spray paint it!!! id have it powdercoated hands down if i were to convert it, i had a set of BBS wheels powdercoated for my hooptie last summer so i could use the same guys. or maybe leave it orange and go with a white and orange theme, i know its a little cliche, but maybe it would look nice with white deep v's or white aerospokes? iv been wanting to do a bright colored fixie (think neon). anyone have any pics of some good looking orange fixed gears?

Repeat after me, Leave the braze ons, LEAVE THE BRAZE ONS!!! If it is really that pristine put it up on Ebay and then use the cash toward a Kilo TT or a nicer frame and build that up. I know this is the SS/FG forum, but you don't have to trash all of the sweet vintage rides to make a fixed gear. I almost cried the day I saw a Colnago with all brazeons removed and a crappy rattle can paint job.

Edit: It is probably my size sell it to me!

Can I get a link to that? I would kill.

its almost perfect, i kid you not. gorgeous bike, rides sooo smooth, i just have never really liked orange. the more i think about it i dont think i could bring my self to change the color, the paint is in almost perfect condition. if i remember right, there is only one push-pin sized chip where the front brake must have hit once (i immediately wrapped it with blue electrical tape). its hanging in my dads garage right now, about two hours from me (working at breckenridge ski resort for the season) i wish i had some pics to show you guys! ooooo that colnago would make me wheep too. i have lusted for a colnago since i could ride on two wheels, my dad has a gorgeous yellow colnago he bought brand new in the late 70's that i would ride if it fit me...

on selling it... anyone have any idea how much its worth? i remember reading on sheldon browns site that in original condition they are worth $700ish but it doesn't have the original wheels.

i know its orange, but scha-wing!

http://www.theracingbicycle.com/imag...ista_full2.jpg

Yeah without the original wheels they're worth about $20. Let me know when you're ready to sell.

:mad:

i bet u could get around 400

What did you put into it? That'd be a good starting point. If you wanted something to tear into maybe try something like a larger Bianchi that is nice but not necessarily a classic? I have a white Trofeo w/ Columbus toobs that should be your size if you are interested in a trade/trade w/cash ;)

No linky as I witnessed the atrocity in person at an alleycat race I went to. I was looking at the bike and noticed it looked like a higher end frame (with junk parts BTW). On closer inspection I noticed the clover cutouts on the lugs and the Colnago on the fork crown. Flipped it over and found the clover cutout in the BB shell as well. I didn't know if I wanted to cry or to beat the **** out of the guy.

On another note there is someone local to me that converted a Colnago to fixed, but I am happy to say the original paint and all brazeons are still intact on that one!

As for value if you took the time to clean it up and ready to ride it might bring maybe $300-400 on Ebay. But, it could also only sell for $200. How big of a down grade is the current wheelset? I assume it is probably 60cm+ given your height. The bigger frames and bikes are never as valuable as the more popular smaller sizes. Good for me as that is the size I ride. I have bought a number of complete big bikes (road and track bikes) for prices far less than the same frame/fork in a smaller size would sell for on Ebay.

please do not convert it. Ride it as what it is. It sounds beautifull, and to replace that for the moment would be a crime. I have two cheaper frames in my basement if you're looking for a project, you just have to pay shipping. 57 and 58 cm. Please do not convert it. A well maintained classic road bike is borderline art especially campy.

again, please do not.

or at least leave the original paint, and braze ons if youmust. then when you realize what it was, you can re convert it to its once great glory. just hold onto everything that comes off of it.

Convert it.
It sounds like you really like the frame-- go for it (do NOT paint it, however-- painting original frames is a horrible sin, and in essence destroying a small part of cycling culture; if you're going to keep it, it's your responsibility to maintain it the same way a collector should maintain art).
Converting a bike to fixed gear doesn't break it or otherwise ruin it, as long as you don't remove cable runs, et al.
Take good care of the components and hold on to them. If you decide you want a vintage road bike later on, you'll be ready to go.
In the meantime, enjoy the frame for what it is. Convert it to fixed, ride the hell out of it, enjoy it.

Trust me, the bike will not blame you. If it could talk, i'm sure it would choose being ridden by an enthusiastic rider over sitting in the garage.
Convert it back if/when you get a track frame. No harm done whatsoever.

(oh-- and pics!!)

well i paid $300 for it. i have done nothing to it, he seriously rode it for four years during college in the 80's and stored it since then. as for cleaning it up, haha no need, practically show room condition. this thing is minty fresh. if i can only get $400 theres no way id sell it. looks like ill just leave it as is and get a bareknuckle. or if i find a vintage colnago track frame between now and summer ill get that. i have really been wanting a technicolor italian made track bike, ill just go that route. any suggestions besides a bareknuckle for italian made??