Danj54

Hi,
I just acquired a 1978 Colnago Super - pretty sure about the identification. However, the fork engraving is not a Colnago but of a cyclist as in the attached picture. I am sure I have seen this logo before but just can't remember. Dropouts are Gipiemme. It also looks as if the engraving is in a black and rather soft (rubberrish) material that covers the top of the crown. Anybody please help?
Dan

merziac

We will need many more pics, details, full on , DS, etc, etc.

Danj54

I will post more photos tomorrow after I clean some of the rust on the chrome. For the moment I was curious to see if anybody could recognize the logo. An additional detail - I bought the bike in Spain from a former competing cyclist who had it stored since 30 years. As the bike was maintained by his team, it could well be the logo of a Spanish brand.
I will come back with more info and pictures

merziac

Sounds good, don't be shy, we like before pics so we can see the transformation and sometimes there are clues in the "patina".

Danj54

OK, here you have the "before"

Danj54

merziac

Excellent! Definetly not a Nago fork with Gipemme dropouts and no clue from me, the rest looks pretty legit from here but that still ain't sayin much. Are the chain stays stamped "Super"? Not that I know whether they should be or not, I know some are.

Also some thing funky going on with the TT not being level, part is the angle, but part may have to do with that replacement fork.

Danj54

No, it's just the angle, here it is again with the floor level - now the TT is level too.

Giacomo 1 

Not sure about the fork myself, but I think this frame is later than a 78.

A 78 should be Nuovo Record, although I realize they might have been replaced, and those decals are different than my 78 as well. They are later style decals. And are the seat stay caps pantographed? I can't quite make it out, but a 78 wouldn't have that.

Nice bike though and some history to boot!

merziac

Huh, well looks to me like if you put both wheels equal distance from the wall the TT won't be level even if the floor isn't, besides it's running downhill in the front so should compensate and help the optics. Can't see good enough for the shadow, fork could be too long as well.

easyupbug 

Fork does look long to me as well, distance from the DT to the wheel looks excessive, even considering the flat.

crank_addict

First I've seen with such decorative 'rubberized' fork crown. Though with certainty its not a Colnago fork.

Yet it might be very specific to another brand / make, also curious if that molded emblem is covering a stamping in the crown.

If I may be subjective, its ugly. I would be one to remove it and if the fork is decent, paint it.

Danj54

Hi, you made me curious about the length of the fork and the top tube not being level. To be absolutely sure, I measured the distance from the ground at seat tube and headset level - it is exactly the same. Happy that that settles the discussion on this potential problem.

Danj54

I've given a try to see what was beneath the spongy black thing covering the fork crown. To my surprise, that was actually a thick layer of paint that did not stick to the chrome other than in the grooves. Here is actually what the engraving is - two serpents?? I hope that someone has seen that before and could clarify it.

CliffordK

I was going to suggest perhaps grease on that crown. It looks like it has at least helped protect the chrome on the crown.

Very interesting logo.

You do have a couple of clover cut-outs on the actual frame, right?
Usually:

• Clover cutout on top of one or both of the headtube lugs. Sometimes also seat cluster lug.
• Clover cutout or Colnago script on bottom bracket (or ring of circles on first Supers).
• Often a clover panto on the brake bridge.
• Often "Colnago" script or clover on the seat stay caps. Early models had a basic concave seatstay cap.
• Campagnolo or Colnago dropouts.

There are a few models such as Colnago Sport bikes that are different.

It should be a fun project. I see some Super Record.

I can't say what I'd do with the fork. I might be tempted to track down a good Colnago fork, but your fork has a lot of character.

As always, if you suspect a fork replacement, check the top tube and downtube for crash damage.

Danj54

Thank you CliffordK, I think the bike is legit. I do have the clover in the lower headtube lug and one below the bottom bracket. The seatstay caps are concave and not engraved. The chainstay bridge and the other elements are consistent with the 1978 model descriptions I've seen over the internet. It is fully equipped with Super Record - hubs, derailleurs, etc. The brake levers have been changed with Aero Gran Compe but the seller gave me the originl Super Records as well.

CliffordK

It sounds like a wonderful "Barn Find", even with the funky fork which I might keep/restore due to its uniqueness. Hopefully someone will recognize the crown.

crank_addict

Much more pronounced! Pretty neat.

Got me on branding. Going way back there was a snake in the Italian mark Viscontea or as Visconti of Milan.

OldsCOOL

nomadmax 

Is it two snakes or just one? From here it looks like one snake hissing back toward his/her own tail, note the line inside the left "O". That looks like a continuation of his/her own body. I love these mysteries.

merziac

Agreed, one snake, cool as heck.

CliffordK

Have you decided if you're going to do a repaint.

It looks like the fork crown is almost good enough that you could leave it as-is.

I'd probably paint the fork legs to match the rest of the frame.

& keep your snake/snakes.

Danj54

frndlyfire

crank_addict

Complete bikes dependent on the distributor to respective country and also available as frameset only, giving buyer the choice to build whatever they desired.

Kind of funny these days with collectors. There seems to be a consensus that a Colnago must have a full matched Campy group.

I recall back then and at least in the USA, most were built with a mixed brand of components and wheels. Superbe derailleurs and Modolo brakes were very popular and choice selections. Rare to see a full group and ultra-rare was the pantographed parts.

Here's a selection of brochures courtesy of 2velo
https://2velo.com/colnago-bicycle-catalogs/