whatwolf

That's looking great! I'm excited to see when it's down to the metal.

Funny that we're working on such similar bikes simultaneously in totally different ways Mine also is pinned, stamped in the same place with same stamp (though upside down), and the cut-outs are spades, obviously. No chain peg though.

23skidoo

Jeff, do you also need a cable stop to go with the top tube clips I'm going to send you for this project?

Drillium Dude 

Me, too - I love the look of a bare frame. It's really cool to see all the detail and workmanship a paint job covers up.

It is, isn't it? And I was sure yours was built similarly - again, just seeing that nice treatment to the seatlug showed quality. The Colner will be a very nice ride when complete

DD

Drillium Dude 

Richard,

I won't since the frame has a brazed on cable stop, but I will be needing another set of top tube clips The ones I got from you were for the Guerciotti and now I have another frame that needs them!

Fun piecing this stuff together, ain't it? I need to find another Italian BB, NR rear derailleur (got an FD off Ebay the other day) and I got lucky and it looks like I have the bar/stem combo sorted as of this morning.

At least I'm good in the wheels department - at least in that area, I must have subconsciously been anticipating a couple 70s bike projects

DD

Michael Angelo 

I've used soda blasting and does not harm chrome, or metal. Just removes paint and grime. Will not remove rust, though.

repechage

Aftermarket, not original.

Drillium Dude 

Thank you - time to break out the Dremel again

DD

Alex Moll

You really oughta change your handle to Dremel Dude. You could be the poster child for that company!

Drillium Dude 

Hah - with my luck, I'd get sued for using their name without permission

BTW, folks: Alex is working on a neat project at the same time I'm playing with this one; we've both been able to assist the other on parts, info and details. Pretty cool when it works out like that, isn't it?

Thanks, brother!

DD

Drillium Dude 

If these fit, they're the "payment" for this Saturday's bead-blasting services:



DD

Andycapp

^

Drillium Dude 

^ Yeah, I thought you'd approve

Cross your fingers...

DD

Drillium Dude 

Here I was believing I'd also have to source a headset for this build - then I remembered this:



I pulled this from last year's Box O' Crap

Test-fitted tonight - perfect!

DD

ftwelder

I admire your workmanship and patience. I am looking forward to your progress!

Drillium Dude 

Thank you, Frank - from a man of your talent and expertise, that's some high praise

I'm slow, though. If I ever opened my own restoration shop, I'd get flamed like Cyclart for speed of service!

DD

rootboy 

Say D. Dude. Can you paint a frame for me?

no hurry. really...

repechage

I would consider checking the alignment of the frame before you set about refinishing it, it most probably took a hit of some sort, it may have been aligned before the last repaint but there is no worry about messing with the finish if any alignment is done before its new suit is applied.

And of course in being aware of the episodes that Shnibop faced, check all the threadings, and seat post fit.
Test, don't guess.

Snydermann

At the powder coating refinish shop we used rubber (not the cheap vinyl stuff) electrical tape as a blast resist to protect chrome and other surfaces. While the duct tape will work, it is not as blast resistant and can be more difficult to remove than the rubber tape.

Drillium Dude 

I don't think you want me to do that just yet - I might have some idea how to prep the metal, but putting colors down onto it is a whole 'nother ball of wax

DD

Drillium Dude 

Seller - a respectable C&V member - did an alignment check and said it checked out fine. I will run a string around it for posterity's sake, though, to ensure everyone is happy knowing it's straight.

I've stuck in a seatpost and stem as well as threaded stuff into every orifice on the frame - yes, even the dropout and gear lever boss threads are in super shape. I did this the other day to ensure the bead-blasting doesn't mess up the threads (this was Andy's suggestion - I didn't even know we had to protect the threads).

Everything checks out great. In fact, I was impressed that I could thread both BB cups in by hand up to the final turns on both sides. I really liked that

DD

BlueDevil63 

Actually I did NOT do a full frame alignment check. I did check fork alignment:



and rear dropout alignment:



I also checked that fork was straight. I got this as a complete bike and there was no obvious misalignment. I think it would be wise to do a quick alignment check. I don't expect you will find any serious issues.

As DD mentions all threads were fine during disassembly and seatpost and stem removed easily. No sign of internal rust whatsoever.

Drillium Dude 

^ I just re-read BD's PM and he's correct - rear triangle and fork alignment is what he referred to in the PM. In any case, the damage to the top and down tubes was disclosed and since I've decided this frame will be painted by Elliott Bay Bicycles (same folks who restored my 56cm Super), they will automatically check/fix any alignment issues if found.

Additionally, as BD states, there is no internal rust visible. A very sound frame on all accounts.

This frame and the Guerciotti - and a spare, chrome fork for a test-shot of the chrome's durability during the bead-blast - are stowed in my car and ready for the trip tomorrow. I should have naked-frame pics up either tomorrow evening or sometime during the day Sunday.

DD

Picchio Special

Where? I can't find that info? I don't see why '73 isn't plausible.
The fork details are interesting - holes in the fork tang but not in the sides of the crown points.

Andycapp

Just got home from a great evening with DD bead-blasting these frame. It was pretty slow going and because of that he decided we should just hit up the lugs, tight spots and any surface rust. He will use paint stripper on the remaining areas. Here's a couple of crappy cell phone pics. I'm sure DD will post some better quality images soon. The crome took a little work but came off with out much issue once I got an "edge" I was able to focus on and get "under" it, so that answers that question.







My take on the job was two pair of awesome C/V shoes and a nice Italian dinner. Spending the evening talking about past and current projects and generally bike-geekin' with DD was made it all worth while in it's own right.



-Andy

Drillium Dude 

0140 and I just go home - been driving since 0600, watching vintage racing cars at Pacific Raceway with Scozim and bead-blasting bike frames and forks with Andycapp. It's been a full day - one of those rare days one feels they squashed a week's worth of experiences into

More tomorrow, but two big and hearty thanks go out to Scott and Andy: you guys both really hooked me up with some unforgettably fun and cool experiences today!

I am off for a shower and then bed. I'm beat - but in a good way

DD