Fiorelli built Coppi
#1
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Fiorelli built Coppi
I think, not sure. Just picked this up locally. Any ideas on the model? Campagnolo drops, mix of Campy/Gipiemme components, Universal brakes, and what I'm fairly sure are not the original 27" wheelset (mismatched Maillard/Ofmega hubs, Fiamme/Alesa Schrader rims). Lots of surface rust, but the seat post and stem are free, and it's my size, so it may be worth a little love.
This catalog I found does not list a model with Campy drops and Gipiemme cranks.
https://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/fiorelli/
This catalog I found does not list a model with Campy drops and Gipiemme cranks.
https://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/fiorelli/
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Last edited by jeirvine; 11-29-13 at 01:44 PM.
#3
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Mine has its original Stronglight cranks.
The top end Fiorelli made frames are pretty darn nice. I would inspect the seat lug ears. If they are filled solid with brass (appearing investment cast) then you have a top level frame, they were dressed with different groups to achieve a price point.
#4
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Some lug shots. Nice lugs, but not the cleanest finishing on them.
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#6
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Nope - chrome is definitely a goner.
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#7
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I don't have info on model - but if I were you, I'd try taking it up to speed on a few descents to see how it behaves. Yes, it's rough and pretty sadly neglected. But if it rides stably with no shimmy, it may be a good project, if you want to spend the time and money. Clearly not worked much after brazing. Might be a tretubi frame.
#8
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one U.S. importer for these machines during the 1970's was John [Jack] W. Murphy Co. of San Francisco. iirc they closed about thirty-five years back. there were also juveniles done with this badging.
#9
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Great frame, but that rear derailleur is almost as ugly as my hideous 980.
I guess appearance was part of Campagnolo's market differentiation strategy.
I guess appearance was part of Campagnolo's market differentiation strategy.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#10
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Fiorelli built Coppi
I think the brakes and maybe the stem/bars are the only thing original on that bike. Looks like the Coppi's that were sold with full Campy NR and Universal sidepulls in the early to mid 70's.
#11
Senior Member
I like the 980/990 better. When I was a poor college student and piecing together a road bike I bought a 980. Worked just as well as a Nuovo Record. Not the same aesthetic but I just could not install a Shimano. I thought about a Suntour, but as the 980 was lingering in the display case I got it for dealer cost, done.
#13
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I hope to get it rideable enough for a test ride this weekend. So far the bearings all seem fine. I think the chrome on these Italian jobs is pretty thin and rustophilic compared to say a Raleigh of the same era, which will polish right out 9 times out of ten.
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#14
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I finally had a chance to get it cleaned up, lubed, and road worthy, and I put on some 700c wheels and took a spin. For a bike with the steepest angles and tightest geometry of any I have, it rides very nicely. Stable and not twitchy at all. The headset and BB were in surprisingly great shape (now re-packed), and the paint actually cleaned up fairly well, though it'll never be a beauty queen, and the chrome is history. I can just make out the "Coppi" logo shadow on the downtube. At this point I plan to get a decent saddle, bar tape, cable clamps, trim the brake housing, and just ride her as-is.
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#16
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There's a late 60's Coppi auction just ending on feeBay this evening. It's nearly identical to the frameset I have, with the exception of the stamped no-name dropouts where mine are forged Campy. Unfortunately the chrome on my frame was in the same condition as the one in the auction, so I had it powdercoated. The best chrome plating uses a three-step copper/nickel/chrome process, but these Fiorellis show no evidence of that.
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Last edited by Hudson308; 12-30-13 at 08:14 PM.
#17
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Interesting. And it has the same slightly pearlescent, but not very sturdy paint as mine. If I do get a re-paint done, I will not renew the chrome. I wish chroming wasn't so expensive.
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#19
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Yes - very close. Same lugs. Mine has bottle bosses but no top tube cable guides. Same seat post, shifters, and calipers too.
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Not sure what your plans are but if you are interested in getting the chrome fixed, you might want to check out this.
#21
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Not sure what your plans are but if you are interested in getting the chrome fixed, you might want to check out this.
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#22
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Veeery interesting. Now there's a winter project idea. Thanks for the heads up. I had assumed chroming would be cost-prohibitive.
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Wow, that looked really good, until I saw where you can't chrome over chrome. I was thinking about touch-up chroming in a few areas, on my fully chromed Frejus, but it looks like that wouldn't really work, without stripping the whole frame. Which would obviously be overkill. Mine's not all that bad, so I'll live with it.
#24
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Update. Looks like a Coppi Tour De France Super model, and that the components were original. There is a bike now on LA Craigslist that has identical lugs and components. Also a 531 frame, which I would not have guessed. Wish mine were this clean:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...3550871&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...3550871&type=3
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#25
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Another update. Now with proper seat, top tube clips and tape. I've ridden it a bit this spring and it is surprisingly stable, even on hands-free descents. Still not sure if I'll leave the paint as is, or what. Liking the ride, and kind of digging the weathered chrome vibe.
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