satbuilder 

Totally agree on the repaint. What color are you thinking?

seypat

I assume that is just the paint cracking on the RD dropout?

jeirvine 

Yes - it had me worried in the original pics, but it is just paint.

What's your preferred stripping method? I don't mind elbow grease, and would prefer a relatively non-toxic method.

Drillium Dude 

Well, I've used stripping agents (damned if I recall a brand name, tho), then media-blasted afterwards. The stripping agent did a super job of "loosening up" the paint so that the blasting process was pretty simple. On my next project, I'm going to use a stripper again, then hit it with my Dremel using these as suggested by @USAZorro in his Extreme Makeover thread:



Here's the link I used to pick up a 50-pack for about $20: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

He recommends a light touch while working with them. In my case, the paint is mostly down to the base coat, so it shouldn't take much effort after the stripper has had a day or so to do its work.

DD

jeirvine 

Thanks. Just ordered a box. Those will come in handy.

Here are some parts cleanup progress pics. The brakes are the earlier longer variety, with the round cable holes. First pair of those I've had. BB spindle is thankfully spotless. Crank arms are mismatched in length but in decent shape. Any input on the seatpost would be welcome. It's fully fluted all the way down, so not Super Record as far as I know.

Kactus

I've never seen mixed length crank arms before, and mixed date as well; that should be an easy fix. That seat post is interesting. I wonder if someone was playing around on a milling machine with a NR post?

jeirvine 

I bought an Alan once from the original owner, which had a 170 and a 175. She had ridden the bike for 30+ years and never noticed. (!)

Drillium Dude 

Nice new pics. Yeah, that's an NR post with some added milling; looks great. Btw, you need an older front derailleur if you want to go PC. Too bad about the crankarm mismatch, but you might be able to affect a swap on the ISO and For Trade sticky. Heck, about a year ago I would've been able to help you

DD

mech986 

Hmm, I wonder if the mismatched crank lengths compensated for someone with unequal leg lengths? It does happen for some.

In any case, the 172.5mm NDS is pre-73, the 170mm drive side is 1973 manufacture. Either could have been the original, although with a 58cm seat tube or larger, the 172.5 might have been a preferred choice. Likely the 170mm NDS match would be easier to source.

Chombi1 

The paintjob is past saving and the chromed lugs discovered, presents a great opportunity to restore this bike to an ultimate state.
I'd consider a full re-chrome and repaint for this super classic Colnago if it were mine. Could be that once-in-a-lifetime, ultimate C&V project challenge.

qcpmsame 

@jeirvine I have one if you need it, just shoot me a PM and its yours.

Bill

jeirvine 

If I were a rich man... . A decent paint job is $$$ enough for me. And if this frame didn't have at least one ding, and some rust - especially on the chain stay - which would make a smooth chrome job tough. And I'm not convinced it's chromed anyway. The paint looks original, and didn't they apply some sort of treatment to the raw steel before paint? Or am I thinking of Masi? I'll know more when I get into it. I'm focusing on parts for the moment.

Wow - very generous. PM on the way. I'll swap you for the post CPSC one. Thanks.

qcpmsame 

I'll get the FD in tomorrow's mail, just include your addy in the PM. Keep the three hole model, I still have others on my collection of Campag components. Enjoy the build and the cycling.

Bill

jeirvine 

Thanks so much. The generosity on this forum never ceases to amaze.
-J

jet sanchEz

Marinoni offers pretty good prices on paint jobs, usually about $350 Canadian dollars.

Great bike, great project, I am envious.

himespau 

Cool

sloar 

If I still had my shop I’d paint it for dirt cheap. This was my Colnago repaint project, now belongs to Oddjob.

crank_addict

disclaimer - not mine and not used with permission. I've had this image filed away and may be of good use for reference.

[IMG]1972 Colnago Super frameset by carrera247, on Flickr[/IMG]

jeirvine 

Slight update. Stem is out after a few days of soaking. Intact and with the usual below-the-line ugliness. Big ring is definitely a DIY drillium job. A very stubborn fixed cup has so far resisted removal. I'll let it soak some more. In terms of paint, I'm thinking probably matching the original electric blue. Thanks for the pic Crank Addict. Always good to have good references.

OldsCOOL

The DIY drillium lends character. My 77 Super has one shift lever with three holes. The owner/racer said it looked so bad he couldnt bring himself to try again with the other. I could replace it but then, the owner built it, raced it, rode with Lemond and set Michigan Jr Mens records on it. I’ll leave it as is.

repechage

To my eye the seatpost is a aftermarket milled Superleggero model- arrived in late '71 and produced till the start of Super Record. The telltale is the chamfer at the top of the main tube. I have bought enough up over time to let the secret out, often not properly identified in an item description.

The paint is worse than I expected and the decision to repaint is sound. What catches my eye and be sure to measure - are the downtube graphics, Colnago used a few versions concurrently- these are the largest I have seen with the paired seat tube bands and herald. Be sure to measure the distances for placement of he new ones.
I am an advocate of "aircraft" type paint warfare, using proper gloves, eye protection, ventilation. Saran Wrap does a good job of not letting the stuff dry out before it does its job.
A brass brush at the ready with a wood handle at the end.

jeirvine 

Thanks for the seatpost tip. The cradles are all steel for what it's worth.

And I'd be interested in recommendations on the best decal sources. I got some Velocals waterslides for another project, and was disappointed by the pixellation.

Drillium Dude 

Ebay isn't currently showing any truly accurate decals except for this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-74-Col...IAAOSwAvJW85oV



DD

repechage

For Colnago graphics, I would contact cyclomondo. ebay store and a web presence.

On the color… finally looking on a decent sized screen… the two tone is quite apparent.
I would advocate the "electric blue" crank_addict presented… a top of the heap color. House of Kolor Marine Blue will get you there over white. Of course there is always Eddy orange.

qcpmsame 

Here you go, Cyclomondo link: Cyclomondo Colnago Sets

Bill