1973 International
 

I just got this home and started with a basic clean up. The date code on the rear derailleur says “73”, so I’m guessing that is a good place to start with dating this one. Overall it seems to be in very good shape; no dents, just some of the usual scratches you’d expect to find.
Re-cabling and a bit of rebuilding of bearings are on the near term agenda It’s a great fit and a short spin showed that it rides smoothly.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2a374a22f.jpeg
Sorry about the dark photos; it’s getting to be evening time
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bc7d21a3f.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8ea562dcd.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...36a66da12.jpeg

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terrific find

the copper can sure be beautiful in bright sun

pedals and saddle upgrades over OEM

wonder why skewers are Nuovo Tipo

original stem would have been GB hex head

did it come with a shop transfer?

hope all the insularians faring well during the lockdown...

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There isn’t a shop sticker on the frame. The rear wheel seems to be original, the front wheel has an Avocet high flange hub that fooled me at first glance. It looks quite like the Campy rear hub

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thanks very much for the response

the front hub has a very slight bluish cast in the photo which i attributed to the light

do not think rear wheel could be original as do not think International offered with factory wired-ons at this time

if you get a 73 (or 72) date from the locknuts of the rear wheel it would tell you that original wheels may have been cut up to build the wired-ons. front likely replaced subsequent to change to wired-ons due to theft or misadventure...

appears that when the conversion was carried out they stayed with the 700 size if one goes by the position of the brake pad holders in the adjustment slots

seems slightly odd to our modern eyes that schrader valve tubes were fitted to 700 wired-on wheels

thanks again ;)

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Great specimen. Serial number on the bottom bracket?

The copper color wasn't offered until 1974. This would have originally had Campy Record HF hubs with sew-ups, so both wheels have definitely been changed. Also, the Brooks Team Pro (large copper rivets) was standard on the Professionals but the International would have had a standard small rivet Pro. Nice bike, and appears to be in quite good shape!

The serial number on the BB reads : WA52699. There are several spaces between the 5 and the 2 that may have had stamping, but they are too faint to make out.

orcas island Like the color and the fork crown! Reminds me of the Trek 760 crown of 1984.
https://live.staticflickr.com/7714/1...3714ff22_z.jpgP1020996, on Flickr

I believe that correlates to early 1975.

It looks that good with just a basic clean up?!?! Beautiful bike!!!

I actually haven’t started on it yet. These are the “before” pictures

It looks barely ridden.

It has a few more miles on it than show from those photos. Does anyone know if of a good color match paint or nail polish for touch ups to this particular color?

I sure hope someone can answer that, I’ve got a 75 International myself with just a few blemishes that I’d love to touch up.

Beautiful bike. Interesting the small ring is a 43t. Will that gearing work for you on Orcas?

I’m actually in the Bay Area, but I might look into a compact crank for this bike

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https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...aint-code.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...storation.html


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Juvela- thank you for those links!

PlanetX sells a ramped 48-34 crankset that shifts beautifully and looks the part. I have one.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3f7b028bbe.jpg
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It does. The one that sloar was nice enough to sell me starts WS4. Built in calendar year '74, but evidently model year '75.

I have a Velo Orange compact crank that looks much like that one. If I have time this weekend I will move it over to the International

Great find! I love those old Internationals despite the somewhat uneven levels of workmanship to be found on some examples. The odd thing about them is that they have touring geometry (I toured on mine for years in both the US and Europe) but are equipped with racing components.

I think they're both made by the same mfr.

Nice score, I still regret selling my '74 International. Great riding bicycle, my personal favorite from the 70's, just never found one I could afford these last few years.

Bill

Were these bikes originally equipped with 27” wheels or 700c?