Seeking contact details for Jim Brittain re 1960s Colnago
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01-28-20, 08:17 AM
#27
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I know there are a few pre-68 (pre-super) bikes out there, but I've never seen one.
My 68/69 Colnago has a bit different history. And, I need to track down the pre-history on the bike.
Sometime around 1981 I had my Viscount stolen. And, Dad was planning a trip to Italy in the spring of 82. So I decided to buy a used Astra, I think, and wait for the Italian trip to get a replacement good bike. So, we went to Italy, and the Janitor where Dad was working was a bike aficionado. So, we explained to him what we were looking for. I don't know. A couple of bikes just weren't quite right. Then he came up with a Colnago Super. I vaguely think he said something about the paint, but hadn't paid much attention to it. But, that was THE BIKE. I rode it around northern Italy for a few months, then brought it back to the USA when we returned.
Anyway, I've put a lot of years, and a lot of wear on the bike. And, it has evolved some over time. This was from a couple of years ago. It has really bad paint cracking, and I haven't decided if I wish to maintain patina, or restore.
So, it has the ring of circles bottom bracket (late 60's Super), but the paint appears to be from the early 70's.
I'm not quite sure what happened. Perhaps I can get the info from Colnago. It could have been crashed and repainted. Or, there was a period of time when there would be a major update in paint schemes. And, so rather than giving sponsored teams all new bikes, they would repaint and update the old ones, especially for secondary riders.
Anyway, it was only recently that I tried to date the frame (ring of circles bottom bracket putting in the late 60's). I'm pretty sure it is a factory repaint from the early 70's.
My 68/69 Colnago has a bit different history. And, I need to track down the pre-history on the bike.
Sometime around 1981 I had my Viscount stolen. And, Dad was planning a trip to Italy in the spring of 82. So I decided to buy a used Astra, I think, and wait for the Italian trip to get a replacement good bike. So, we went to Italy, and the Janitor where Dad was working was a bike aficionado. So, we explained to him what we were looking for. I don't know. A couple of bikes just weren't quite right. Then he came up with a Colnago Super. I vaguely think he said something about the paint, but hadn't paid much attention to it. But, that was THE BIKE. I rode it around northern Italy for a few months, then brought it back to the USA when we returned.
Anyway, I've put a lot of years, and a lot of wear on the bike. And, it has evolved some over time. This was from a couple of years ago. It has really bad paint cracking, and I haven't decided if I wish to maintain patina, or restore.
So, it has the ring of circles bottom bracket (late 60's Super), but the paint appears to be from the early 70's.
I'm not quite sure what happened. Perhaps I can get the info from Colnago. It could have been crashed and repainted. Or, there was a period of time when there would be a major update in paint schemes. And, so rather than giving sponsored teams all new bikes, they would repaint and update the old ones, especially for secondary riders.
Anyway, it was only recently that I tried to date the frame (ring of circles bottom bracket putting in the late 60's). I'm pretty sure it is a factory repaint from the early 70's.
01-28-20, 08:51 AM
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TugaDude-
Velobase has an explanation here: VeloBase.com - Component: Campagnolo Electa (Sella - Pneumatic System)
Velobase has an explanation here: VeloBase.com - Component: Campagnolo Electa (Sella - Pneumatic System)
01-28-20, 09:03 AM
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Great thread and beautiful bike. I like the skid lid too!
01-28-20, 09:05 AM
#31
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TugaDude-
Velobase has an explanation here: VeloBase.com - Component: Campagnolo Electa (Sella - Pneumatic System)
Velobase has an explanation here: VeloBase.com - Component: Campagnolo Electa (Sella - Pneumatic System)
01-28-20, 09:24 AM
#32
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jadocs-
Reasonably well, it seems. A rider's personal experience: https://rorymasini.blogspot.com/2016...ta-saddle.html
Reasonably well, it seems. A rider's personal experience: https://rorymasini.blogspot.com/2016...ta-saddle.html
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01-28-20, 11:36 AM
#33
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tbrittain71 welcome aboard, thanks for the input about your F-I-L. Hope that you stick around and that you enjoy the forum.
Bill
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Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
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01-28-20, 11:55 AM
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TugaDude-
Velobase has an explanation here: VeloBase.com - Component: Campagnolo Electa (Sella - Pneumatic System)
Velobase has an explanation here: VeloBase.com - Component: Campagnolo Electa (Sella - Pneumatic System)
thanks!
I believe our own CV-6 was the provider of the photos on Velobase
01-28-20, 12:57 PM
#35
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How we live in this day and age, connecting and sharing this stuff is just terrific!
I'll remain quiet now and enjoy the rest of the story. ;") Cheers
I'll remain quiet now and enjoy the rest of the story. ;") Cheers
01-28-20, 01:05 PM
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Very nice.
01-28-20, 01:24 PM
#37
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No experience with these saddles, but they fetch a handsome price on ebay when they come up. Agreed about the nice appearance they have, just don't have the means of bank account to handle one.
tbrittain71 welcome aboard, thanks for the input about your F-I-L. Hope that you stick around and that you enjoy the forum.
Bill
tbrittain71 welcome aboard, thanks for the input about your F-I-L. Hope that you stick around and that you enjoy the forum.
Bill
Bike seats and skiing had many connections, I had a "The Seat" that had the same shaping medium that was also used in ski boots, it worked pretty good too.
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01-28-20, 01:48 PM
#38
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Saddles
Yep, it is a cool saddle, and quite comfortable. It's too modern for the Colnago which now has a plastic Unicantor. I'll use the Campagnolo on a 1980s project.
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01-28-20, 10:45 PM
#39
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I believe this was/is aircast technology. I had ski boots with bladder and pump back in the 70's. With skinny wobbly ankles and high back boots, it wreaked havoc getting after it. Enter the air boots and I could lock down the banging around in the boots, made a world of difference once that was stable, ski control was much improved.
Bike seats and skiing had many connections, I had a "The Seat" that had the same shaping medium that was also used in ski boots, it worked pretty good too.
Bike seats and skiing had many connections, I had a "The Seat" that had the same shaping medium that was also used in ski boots, it worked pretty good too.
Bill
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
01-29-20, 05:50 PM
#40
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I have one, it works. I prefer an Ideale 90 or a Cinelli #3 better.
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01-29-20, 05:53 PM
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This thread prompted me to exchange some wheels and ride my older Colnago. Nice bike.
02-21-20, 01:17 PM
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Thanks so much for the creation of this thread.
Met Jim about 1970-71 when he was teaching a free class on bicycle maintenance in Berkeley, California.
It was one of those "free university" type offerings which were a thing at that time.
In the first meeting I was initiated into the existence of an exotic bicycle instrument termed the "cone wrench."
Jim was a wonderful teacher and most generous with all of his cycle knowledge and experience.
At that time he was working at a local bicycle shop called VeloSport Cyclery. Had the impression his position was that of a manager or assistant manager but do not know what his title there was.
The owner of the shop, Peter Rich, opened a second location on College Avenue in the Rockridge neighbourhood of Oakland California and Jim was the manager there. This second shop was only owned for a short time before it changed hands. It eventually became a Hank & Frank bike shop operated by Mr. Elmer Baciagalupe.
Was told that Jim had left for Spokane to open a new shop there.
This was the last I had heard of him prior to seeing this thread.
This forum post has lots of information on his activities and movements -
https://www.bikeforums.net/14922327-post9.html
-----
Thanks so much for the creation of this thread.
Met Jim about 1970-71 when he was teaching a free class on bicycle maintenance in Berkeley, California.
It was one of those "free university" type offerings which were a thing at that time.
In the first meeting I was initiated into the existence of an exotic bicycle instrument termed the "cone wrench."
Jim was a wonderful teacher and most generous with all of his cycle knowledge and experience.
At that time he was working at a local bicycle shop called VeloSport Cyclery. Had the impression his position was that of a manager or assistant manager but do not know what his title there was.
The owner of the shop, Peter Rich, opened a second location on College Avenue in the Rockridge neighbourhood of Oakland California and Jim was the manager there. This second shop was only owned for a short time before it changed hands. It eventually became a Hank & Frank bike shop operated by Mr. Elmer Baciagalupe.
Was told that Jim had left for Spokane to open a new shop there.
This was the last I had heard of him prior to seeing this thread.
This forum post has lots of information on his activities and movements -
https://www.bikeforums.net/14922327-post9.html
-----
02-21-20, 10:52 PM
#43
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02-24-20, 02:05 AM
#44
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Thread Starter
It sure is - thanks to this thread I ended up having a lovely talk with Jim who is well and living in Spokane, still enjoying and working on bikes.
He gave me a lot more details about the interesting history of my bike - I have written them up and once I have got confirmation from him that I got them correct I will post a summary here.
He gave me a lot more details about the interesting history of my bike - I have written them up and once I have got confirmation from him that I got them correct I will post a summary here.
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