My first restoration
02-16-21, 03:42 PM
#26
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02-16-21, 03:52 PM
#27
If I own it, I ride it
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Excellent choice for both. Jack has a Carré and my 753 Lejeune at the moment. His work has always been stellar for me.
02-16-21, 03:57 PM
#28
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Very cool seat stay joint. The lug extends down with a plug that the seat stay fits into? I didnt realize that sort of design was used so far back.
02-16-21, 04:39 PM
#29
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From the early 30s to the late 40s, Frejus finished the majority of their road bikes the same way. The frame was clear coat over nickel plate. The head lugs chromed. The head tube painted a navy blue. Chrome fork.
This frame has had most of the original nickel removed. I belive some remains on the top tube. I also think the chrome on the head lugs is not original and was done when it was painted silver. 2 bits of evidence of that. First, the chrome is really nice, I don't think it is 80 years old. Also, the chrome goes beyond the lugs. Every example I have seen the top tube and down tube got masked at the lugs. The chrome stopped there.
I have decided against re-nickel coating . I'd have to strip the new chrome, then dip again into tanks. There are only so much chemicals that frame can take. For all I know the chain stay failed from hydrogen embrittlement.
So I asked the painter to do their best at simulating nickel, a satin silver. The painter complained.
I know it won't be the same, all I asked is they do their best. Head tube will be navy blue. Varish-slide decals.
So not 100% original.
Interesting you saw "cielo". It could very well say that, I'm terrible with handwriting. I wonder if it was originally not you typical Frejus finish?
This frame has had most of the original nickel removed. I belive some remains on the top tube. I also think the chrome on the head lugs is not original and was done when it was painted silver. 2 bits of evidence of that. First, the chrome is really nice, I don't think it is 80 years old. Also, the chrome goes beyond the lugs. Every example I have seen the top tube and down tube got masked at the lugs. The chrome stopped there.
I have decided against re-nickel coating . I'd have to strip the new chrome, then dip again into tanks. There are only so much chemicals that frame can take. For all I know the chain stay failed from hydrogen embrittlement.
So I asked the painter to do their best at simulating nickel, a satin silver. The painter complained.
I know it won't be the same, all I asked is they do their best. Head tube will be navy blue. Varish-slide decals.So not 100% original.
Interesting you saw "cielo". It could very well say that, I'm terrible with handwriting. I wonder if it was originally not you typical Frejus finish?
02-16-21, 04:55 PM
#30
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From the early 30s to the late 40s, Frejus finished the majority of their road bikes the same way. The frame was clear coat over nickel plate. The head lugs chromed. The head tube painted a navy blue. Chrome fork.
This frame has had most of the original nickel removed. I belive some remains on the top tube. I also think the chrome on the head lugs is not original and was done when it was painted silver. 2 bits of evidence of that. First, the chrome is really nice, I don't think it is 80 years old. Also, the chrome goes beyond the lugs. Every example I have seen the top tube and down tube got masked at the lugs. The chrome stopped there.
I have decided against re-nickel coating . I'd have to strip the new chrome, then dip again into tanks. There are only so much chemicals that frame can take. For all I know the chain stay failed from hydrogen embrittlement.
So I asked the painter to do their best at simulating nickel, a satin silver. The painter complained. I know it won't be the same, all I asked is they do their best. Head tube will be navy blue. Varish-slide decals.
So not 100% original.
Interesting you saw "cielo". It could very well say that, I'm terrible with handwriting. I wonder if it was originally not you typical Frejus finish?
This frame has had most of the original nickel removed. I belive some remains on the top tube. I also think the chrome on the head lugs is not original and was done when it was painted silver. 2 bits of evidence of that. First, the chrome is really nice, I don't think it is 80 years old. Also, the chrome goes beyond the lugs. Every example I have seen the top tube and down tube got masked at the lugs. The chrome stopped there.
I have decided against re-nickel coating . I'd have to strip the new chrome, then dip again into tanks. There are only so much chemicals that frame can take. For all I know the chain stay failed from hydrogen embrittlement.
So I asked the painter to do their best at simulating nickel, a satin silver. The painter complained.
I know it won't be the same, all I asked is they do their best. Head tube will be navy blue. Varish-slide decals.So not 100% original.
Interesting you saw "cielo". It could very well say that, I'm terrible with handwriting. I wonder if it was originally not you typical Frejus finish?
Here´s a transcript of the receipt as I read it, handwritten parts in italics, commentary in { }, additions in [ ]:
Ricevo da Signor Mortarini Francesco
Via Macedonia 27 Torino la somma
di Lire milleottocento
per s/olo {?? this is the only part I can´t really read} cielo Frejus M n. 01642
telaio cm 59 - lavoraz.[ione] spec.[iale] rep.[arto] corsa
In translation:
I receive from Mr. Francesco Mortarini
[living at] Via Macedonia 27 [in] Turin the sum
of onethousandeighthundred
for {this is indecipherable part} sky Frejus M number 01642
Frame 59 cm - special treatment/processing in the race department
Last edited by Vaang; 02-16-21 at 05:07 PM.
02-16-21, 05:11 PM
#31
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Inquire if the painter has looked into the array of silver colors used to paint many recent model aluminum automotive rims. Really really fine grain metallic. I watched a "wheel restoration specialist" paint and blend in a very hard to match to my view aluminum wheel. I asked what brand of paint, and I received a look that would be telling the family secrets.
02-16-21, 05:20 PM
#32
feros ferio
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Just the weight of the cyclist. It's a pretty clever system, invented by the inventor of the modern cam-activated quick release skewer.
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"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
"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
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02-16-21, 05:23 PM
#33
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I concour that it doesn´t look like 80 year old chrome nor would I try to rechrome it again. A painted nickle silver will certainly look good. It also might well be that only the head tube was painted blue. Unfortunately I am unable to read the one word next to "cielo" but it might very well be "sterzo" meaning head tube.
As for whether it was sky blue or "Frejus livery", we'll never know. I haven't seen a deviation from the norm, but that certainly means doesn't mean it didn't have a different finish. And I could find no pro racer by the name of Francesco Mortarini. But that was probably due to the lack of business of the reparto corse group had in 1942. They'd take anyone's money.
02-16-21, 08:10 PM
#34
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I didn't notice any shots of an assembled Cambio Corsa in the thread so far. There are various shots on the internet, but I found a wonderful example on Flickr. It is owned/displayed by Vintage Speed Bicycles. You can find the photo album here... https://www.flickr.com/photos/115217...57646319196692
a few shots, just as a teaser....
Some of these early shifting mechanisms are just fascinating!!
Steve in Peoria
a few shots, just as a teaser....
Some of these early shifting mechanisms are just fascinating!!
Steve in Peoria
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02-16-21, 08:29 PM
#35
aka: Dr. Cannondale
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Jack is the best. He also has one of my frames in process.
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Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
02-16-21, 09:07 PM
#36
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I didn't notice any shots of an assembled Cambio Corsa in the thread so far. There are various shots on the internet, but I found a wonderful example on Flickr. It is owned/displayed by Vintage Speed Bicycles. You can find the photo album here... https://www.flickr.com/photos/115217...57646319196692
1939 Uboldi with first gen cambio corsa, although the quick release lever is a later replacement. It's the only first gen dork disc I have seen pictured. Dropout has 13 teeth. And notice that the fender boss is in the middle of the dropout strut instead of the top. Cool stuff.
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03-10-21, 07:34 PM
#37
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Artwork for some varnish-slide decals. Special order, everything out there is post war. Close, but wrong. And I put an order in with Rudi for a saddle. I think I'm fifth on his list.
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03-10-21, 09:28 PM
#38
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Fausto Coppi (left) with a newfangled derailer, racing against Gino Bartali, using cambio corsa, in the 1949 Tour of France. This was Bartali's 35th birthday and he won the stage, although Coppi went on to win the whole race.
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03-10-21, 09:39 PM
#39
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What a wonderful undertaking. I look forward to seeing your progress. 😎
03-10-21, 10:04 PM
#40
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I missed this the first go-round. What a fantastic and worthy project! Surely this will be a labor of love. Following with interest. I'm always impressed with the depth of knowledge on this forum, and dedication to researching (and sometimes even remembering) the minutiae of bygone eras.
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07-04-21, 06:38 AM
#42
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Back from paint.
1942 Frejus Paint 01 by iabisdb, on Flickr
1942 Frejus Paint 06 by iabisdb, on Flickr
1942 Frejus Paint 08 by iabisdb, on Flickr
1942 Frejus Paint 09 by iabisdb, on Flickr
1942 Frejus Paint 12 by iabisdb, on Flickr
1942 Frejus Paint 13 by iabisdb, on Flickr
1942 Frejus Paint 17 by iabisdb, on Flickr
1942 Frejus Paint 20 by iabisdb, on Flickr
1942 Frejus Paint 27 by iabisdb, on Flickr
1942 Frejus Paint 25 by iabisdb, on Flickr
1942 Frejus Paint 01 by iabisdb, on Flickr1942 Frejus Paint 06 by iabisdb, on Flickr1942 Frejus Paint 08 by iabisdb, on Flickr1942 Frejus Paint 09 by iabisdb, on Flickr1942 Frejus Paint 12 by iabisdb, on Flickr1942 Frejus Paint 13 by iabisdb, on Flickr1942 Frejus Paint 17 by iabisdb, on Flickr1942 Frejus Paint 20 by iabisdb, on Flickr1942 Frejus Paint 27 by iabisdb, on Flickr1942 Frejus Paint 25 by iabisdb, on Flickr
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07-04-21, 07:42 AM
#43
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I would think you should be pleased.
very nice. Silver shows period.
the downtube art had me wondering about scale- indeed pretty small compared to more modern downtube graphics. That herald at the top really drives the size overall.
I like the translation of special processing by the race department on the invoice.
those are the most refined Frejus head lugs I have seen.
very nice. Silver shows period.
the downtube art had me wondering about scale- indeed pretty small compared to more modern downtube graphics. That herald at the top really drives the size overall.
I like the translation of special processing by the race department on the invoice.
those are the most refined Frejus head lugs I have seen.
07-04-21, 08:10 AM
#44
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07-04-21, 08:18 AM
#45
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Lovely bike. Is this the bike you'll take the next time a ride is put together for the hills in SW WI?
07-04-21, 08:22 AM
#46
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07-04-21, 08:24 AM
#47
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I hear you. I'd never take my 1960 Olmo Gran Sport with its 49/46 rings and 13/26 freewheel to ride those hills. When I restore an old bike, I think of those hills as an acid test for the build. Some bikes I can ride up in those hills, some I can't.
But I've seen you ride those hills on bikes with gearing that wouldn't work for me . . .
But I've seen you ride those hills on bikes with gearing that wouldn't work for me . . .
Last edited by bikemig; 07-04-21 at 08:35 AM.
07-04-21, 10:22 AM
#49
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I wrote earlier in the thread that I am looking forward to this. Now I am more certain of that than ever!
Last edited by styggno1; 07-04-21 at 10:28 AM. Reason: spelling
07-04-21, 12:45 PM
#50
feros ferio
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I am eagerly anticipating your "first ride" report. It's a bit like my friend who was restoring a Model T and was concerned he'd probably crash on the first test drive, due to the very unfamiliar control layout and action. Frank Berto reportedly had a bit of a struggle, but did finally get a CC to shift.
__________________
"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
"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
