guelphite

Need help in identifying this Columbus frame
This is a 53cm sq frame made of Columbus tubing.
Brakes are exterior nut and it has this post on the bottom side of the down tube which makes me think the shifter bosses were an afterthought.
British threading.


whole frame with fork

Frame sticker

Head tube

Bottom side of down tube by shifter bosses

rear side of fork crown

Steering tube

Rear driver side drop out (Campagnolo)

3/4 view of BB

Underside of bottom bracket

Binding bolt

Seat stays

unworthy1

many details do not "add up" I would tend to doubt that Columbus decal, but then again this may just be the ultimate frame builder's "dog's breakfast"!
The number stamped on the fork's steerer has no match to anything stamped on the frame, correct?
Those Prugnat lugs and long Campy DOs sure look earlier than the fastback seat cluster and shifter bosses would indicate (yeah probable aftermarket) as well as under BB cable routing, but this may well be a custom build (or updated) frame that crossed over some stylistic milestones.
I suspect it is not Columbus but is 531 or similar....it's one queer bird!
One telling clue, perhaps: what threading is the pinch bolt in that fastback cluster?

Drillium Dude 

That's surely a repaint, so take the Columbus decal with a grain of salt. Prolly British going by the stay end treatment. What's the BB thread/width?

DD

Bianchigirll 

Good luck that! Hilda and I have been together for 9 years and I still have no clue what she really is. She is a great rider.

welcome to the “looks like a nice quality frame but I have no idea” club.

restration

what is frame weight ?

Bianchigirll 

Comparable to that of an unladen sparrow

unworthy1

per OP: "British threading." so presume that's BB shell threading (still would want to know what the pinch-bolt is: doubt it's metric, so either SAE or my guess: Whitworth.)
If OP has no thread-pitch gauge then what Allen wrench fits would be a strong clue (then go borrow a gauge).

guelphite

Yeah, you hit the nail on the head. You're probably right about not being Columbus but I'm certain the bosses was brazed on afterwards due to the rust from the clamp.
Nice weight though, so at least its not a big box store brand.

guelphite

Thanks for everyone's input!
The shell width is 66mm

guelphite

Thanks, glad to be here. Hey, what RD is on Hilda?

seypat

Looks somewhat similar to a early 70s Condor I have. I'll compare the two tomorrow.

Bianchigirll 

just an odd Taiwanese thing



Our very own DrilliumDude modified this early Chorus for me. I was pealing this sticker off something and stuck on as joke, it’s been there 6 years without falling off.

guelphite

seypat

Here is the 1972 Condor and it's story. The PO bought it from their shop in the 70s. In the mid 80s, he sent it back for some refreshing. The rear DO spacing was spread and cable guides/shifter bosses/FD hanger were added. Maybe some other work also. Then the frame/fork was repainted/decaled and sent back. The serial # on this bike is stamped on the outside/bottom half of the NDS rear DO.

jdawginsc 

Looks like a Condor match—maybe the same treatment after all.

unworthy1

I think @seypat may have nailed this, or at least got you well into the ID ballpark. If there's a serial number stamped in the NDS DO, and it matched the steerer, then it's a clinch.

seypat

Condor is still in business. Lots of good info on their website. The mid 60s catalog has the lug, seat stay and fork crown options that are on the OP's and my bicycle.

https://www.condorcycles.com/pages/c...s-and-bicycles

unworthy1

And interesting to note that Condor DID build some with Columbus SL, but maybe not this one.
questions for OP: is there any of the Columbus "rifling" (5 spiral ridges) in the butt of the fork steerer? Any sign of filled-in rivet holes in the head tube?
And for @seypat: does this red example have the same "loop" cable guides and grooves on the bottom of the BB shell?

seypat

Different, but the BB cable guides could have been added during the refresh. The PO kept everything that came on the bike plus anything he tried on it during his time. Let me check the small parts bag he gave me. .


I don't see any clamp on BB cable guides. That's a 57T Campy chainring that came in the box of parts.

I think the looped cable guides are the same as the ones on that other "Columbus frame" thread from a couple of weeks ago. The one that had Argos? decals and was being sent to get a repaint.

Edit: Link to that other thread with frame that has similar BB cable guides.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...bus-frame.html

guelphite

Wow, you're my new hero!
I wanted another Brit bike and always wanted a Condor.
Upon careful examination, the serial number on that spot looks like it was filed down.
After seeing the repaint and stickers plus others have stated that it is a Reynolds frame...I think it may of been a stolen bike (bought in Toronto)
Too many similarities plus, the original paint is a darker yellow.