Richard M

Hi everyone,

I bought this bike last summer and I'd like to know what it is! The guy I bought it off had powdercoated the frame last year and couldn't remember the make of it, although he seemed to think it was Italian and from the 1980s. As far as I can see it doesn't have any identifying features - no badge, stickers or number etc... however I was hoping someone on this board who knows more about bike than me might be able to recognise it somehow - maybe there is something that distinguishes it, like the shape of the lugs or dropouts? The lugs look to my like they might be quite distinctive and may offer some clue as to the manufacturer?

It's got a full 105 groupset that I guess it came with. I fitted new peddles and saddle, and the tyres are also new, but apart from that it's all original as far as I know. Maybe it's worth mentioning that the forks appear to be chrome whereas the rest of the frame is painted (I've no idea if the reat of the frame was also chrome before it was powdercoated - unlikely I suppose).

I'd really love to know anything at all about the bike, as it's very beautiful and I'm hoping to either to restore it to it's full glory or get a decent price for it, dpending on time and money. Any help would be much appreciated - thanks in advance!

Mr Steve

Looks like a Quad X to me since all that is showing up on my screen are 4 X's where the photos are supposed to be

lostarchitect 

This is the OP's bike:

TugaDude

Keep trying to post pics. Without them it is hopeless to determine anything. Regarding chrome under paint on the frame, it is quite common on some manufacturer's bikes. I have had several vintage bikes that were fully chromed beneath the paint and the chrome shines through the slightly transparent paint to create wonder color effects. I've heard that this is also done with copper plating, and I think some paints use a gold-colored paint as an undercoat and a transparent topcoat to create golden specs in the finish. So yours might have been chrome beneath the paint, wouldn't be that rare.

Look at the bikes dropouts. Are they stamped, investment cast, etc? Do they have any maker's mark on them? That also helps. Serial numbers can sometimes provide clues. Look on the bottom of the bottom bracket, left chainstay, etc. for numbers.

Until you can post pics, hope that helps.

TugaDude

As soon as I posted my previous remarks, I see that Lostarchitect was able to put the pics up.

Initial thoughts: Window lugs, probably a very decent frame, possibly Italian. Dropouts look nice, worthy of further research. Chrome fork doesn't necessarily point to a particular brand, but makes me lean towards European vintage or possibly Miele (Canada).

T-Mar

That's Shimano New 105 which, if original, would place it 1987-1989. It's reasonable, given the dual bottle bosses, though I would have expected a pump peg. The lack of a front derailleur boss would suggest a mid-range frame, which matchs well with the components. What I'd check for:

1, Brand of dropouts. There should be something stamped on them. Or is the powdercoat too thick?
2. Thread markings on the bottom bracket cups.
3. Size of seat post
4. Remove the wheel and inspect inside the bottom of the fork's steering column for ridges and if so, how many.

Depending on what this reveals, you may have to take more drastic steps to confirm lineage, age, etc.

Richard M

TugaDude and T-Mar - thank you! I will try to have a look tomorrow and post my findings!

Cheers,

Richard