Andy_K 

I was wrong. That's definitely a 1B. This is the first Montello serial number I've seen that didn't start with a repeated letter.

The pic you have of the brake lever is a model number.

Andy_K 

FWIW, Velobase says that SL-7402 levers weren't introduced until 1990. It's not always an accurate source, but it's a starting point. How many cogs are on your cassette?

rideandgoseek 

Based on almost everyone's recommendations I am gonna keep the decals original and ride them until they fall off completely. I decided this based on the difficulty of replacing them and the fact that a vintage Pinarello 'should' have flaking decals. Originality means a lot to me and I think that once they're all gone the ghosting will actually look cool.




I asked the original owner what his thought process was behind the Dura Ace and he mentioned his relationship with Jerry (Hallman? I can't remember his last name) from Shimano and that the 7400 SIS shifting was gonna be the next big, cutting edge thing and he wanted to be one of the first ones to have it. This recollection would also lend itself to the theory that the bike is an '84 or '85 despite a lot of other evidence to the contrary. Looking like we've got a nice little mystery on our hands with this one. Can't wait to keep digging deeper!

Andy_K 

I think Jerry was right. By all accounts DA 7400 was significantly better than anything Campagnolo had to offer at the time. My '84 Gran Turismo had a full SunTour Superbe group on it, which I think could be justified on similar grounds. I like old frames, but I like new components so I rebuilt it with 11-speed Athena. I did the same with my Montello.

Despite fervor of the cult of Italian cycling, I think DA is entirely historically appropriate for this bike. I would also note that current Pinarellos come with Dura Ace components.

rideandgoseek 

6 speed

T-Mar

Sorry, late 1984 just isn't passing my sanity checks based on what I know about the Pinarello.

The BL-7402 is the model number. New Dura-Ace (7400 series) came out for the 1985 model year, but the brake levers were BL-7400. A new BL-7401 lever was introduced for the 1987 model year. The BL-7402 was out by the 1989 model year and possibly 1988 but I can't say for sure, as I don't have the 1988 model year catalog. So, the levers line up quite closely with my frame date estimate. They're definitely not from late 1985 models from late 1984.

The date codes for the Shimano components will be dual alpha characters, about 2-3mm tall. You should find them on the back of the crank arms, back of the rear parallelogram arm on the rear derailleur, back of the inner cage plate on the front derailleur, back of the brake caliper arms, on the outside face of the bottom bracket cups and on the barrel or outer flange of the hubs. Other Shimano components also have dates codes but require some disassembly to read them.

spudly

I think that bike is absolutely gorgeous just the way it is! Congrats!

rjhammett

I have had three Pinarellos. I still have two but sold one because it was way too small. Two had decals that were really bad. One has decals in perfect condition. That bike ('93 Record) I bought as a frame and fork. It is in perfect condition and must not have been ridden hardly at all. The two complete bikes (both Montellos) were Dura Ace. I paid $815 for all three.

feesh

I'm pretty sure I bought my Montello in '88... it has that same pump peg, but campy dropouts. The frame could have been in the shop earlier than '88 I guess.
Did they have bosses for the DT bottle holder in 84-85? I don't know - heck I've learned more about my old bike in the last day than I knew for the first 29 years I had it

I remember seeing a frame in the shop with the same paint scheme as yours when I bought mine. Still looks great.

rideandgoseek 

Had the Pinarello out for a ride today! Just moved to the Pinery in Parker, CO and the deer are basically tame here. Stopped to get some water and this girl crept up behind me for a closer look I guess. Can't say I blame her

T-Mar

Did you ever check the date codes on the other Dura-Ace components?

boozergut

Perhaps there will be a T-Mar website some day similar to the nirvana of information on the Sheldon Brown site.

rideandgoseek 

Bottom Bracket reads... BB 7400 JB
Front Derailleur reads... FD 7400 Shimano
Rear Derailleur reads... RD 7400
Front and Rear Brakes read... BR 7400 KD
Crank reads... FC 7402 OH

Thoughts???

Sorry the pictures are probably out of order

SJX426 

Nearly a twin to mine. My date codes indicate 1991. Yes Spumoni is the paint scheme. Here is what yours will look like once the decals fall off:
[IMG]1991 Pinarello Montello 60 cm, on Flickr[/IMG]
Follow the link after the pic to see 90+ additional pics.
You will notice the paint has a translucent pearl finish on it. Mine is coming off. I don't like the finish one bit but do think the Spumoni is an interesting color scheme. Despite the condintion, I get positive comments from others. I suspect it is about the chrome bling this bike presents.

BF'r Willis in Vancouver, stated that Pinarello gave into the market demand for Dura Ace for the reasons stated. Giovani was pretty supportive of Campagnolo up until that point. He died last year and left a fine legacy to his name. Note that the HS is still Campy!

I have thought about replacing the decals but have determined that the "ghost" left is more interesting. The loss of some of them still bothers me but it is what it is and I have learned to really enjoy this exceptional (to me) bike in terms of riding it. It was purchased 3 years ago this month and now has over 3700 miles, mostly commuting, on it with me.

Single letter on the SN:
[IMG]P1020179, on Flickr[/IMG]