ClayH 

I am refinishing this 76 Colnago Super frameset and can't quite decide on a color scheme. I am leaning towards white paint , decals in yellow with black outline, cable housing and bar tape yellow Velox. black 3TTT stem.

I could try to reproduce my only other Colnago Mexico from 1981 in black. She was very pretty.

What would you do?

Drillium Dude 

Personally speaking, I wouldn't repaint it. For a 45 year old frame it's in fantastic shape. As we say 'round these parts: it's only original once.

A couple touch ups here and there - and new decals (which will be somewhat difficult to source if you want 100% accurate versions). Again, they looked pretty good going by the first photo.

Disclaimer: your bike, your decision

DD

SJX426 

Ditto! After my initial purchase of a 1983 Superissimo, I considered repaint. Glad I didn't. It has the markings of a well-used bike as it should. Besides, if you repainted then you would need to replace all the parts with NOS to be consistent.
DD knows what he is talking about, having repainted a time or two.
P1040500 on Flickr

Kabuki12

I have a 1975/76 Super and recently had it repainted in its original orange color . I loved the color of the bike , I did not love the exposed metal portions of the frame. The bottom bracket area as well as other areas were exposed and I ride the bike a lot. I would not have done it if it were in any better shape.





I had Franklin Frame do the work and he matched the original very well. The bike looks awesome now with the gold pearl and all the decals intact. Mine was pretty rough paint wise so I feel good about my decision. I have other bikes I would not repaint even though they are less than perfect but I wanted this one nice. The mid seventies Supers are great bikes to ride and they made quite a few. I was told by Ed Litten that there were eight people working at Colnago building bikes back then so quite a few were built.

jonwvara 

You would be out of your mind to repaint that bike.

Kabuki12

too late , he has already prepped the frame . It looks like the decals and some of the frame are sanded.

jonwvara 

[slaps forehead]

bikemike73 

Do NOT repaint!!

Just put some good polish and you will be surprised how good it will look..

I have a 76 Colnago Super. Few scratches on the front head tube. I was going to touch up with silver paint ( color of bike)

Decided to NOT touch up after getting advice here. I just polished up. Looks VERY GOOD.

SO happy I did not touch up.

Like all have said.....its only original once.

Your frame looks to be in VERY GOOD shape.


But to each his own. It's your bike. You make it what you want

xiaoman1 

OP has received some answers, but no response...what did you do? I follow this advice similar to when measuring a board...measure twice, cut once. Ask questions "before" proceeding, not after.
In any event it's the OP's so anything done is alright.
Best, Ben

beech333

I would not have refinished it, as the paint and decals of the original photo look great to me. Now that the decals are gone, I probably still would not repaint, but that is your call.

If I were to do it, I would likely go with orange. DD had a nice one for sale a while back. I might also consider red, because I bet that would be the easiest color to sell, when that day must come.

Classtime 

I'm a little sad. https://www.bikeforums.net/sale/1243...set-yours.html

But how about flat black with white luglining and decals.

3alarmer 

panzerwagon 

Another vote for orange, especially in the Molteni team color. Not enough orange bikes on the road.

repechage

Electric Blue.

BFisher

Pink

polymorphself 

A little perplexed at the repaint idea on this one as well (looks to be mostly there and just need a good polish and wax), but if you've already taken the first steps and it's a done deal then...orange or blue. Pink is always awesome though.

repechage

Bruce McLaren cars, international Orange.

interestingly there are a few Molteni Orange variations- Colnago and DeRosa did not match.

Kabuki12

Mine after reassembly , in the sun . My first ride after over a month at the “spa”. I guess my vote would be for orange!

ClayH 

Thanks for all the input. Still haven't decided on the color. I will either go red or white. Finished stripping the paint today ( sorry to all those who said leave it alone.)

Whatever color it is I promise it will be gorgeous!

Here is an update . Looks so pretty bare.

Kabuki12

Looks good! I really like the head tube lugs on these. Colnago’ s attention to detail is pretty amazing when you consider how many they made. Your frame is very similar to mine with the exception or the top tube cable guides.

joesch

Since your repainting ignoring most of our advice, I would love to see a cromovelato Molteni Orange (Colnago Not DeRosa orange)

easyupbug 

It is your bike and I am sure you will love the paint job. That said there are a lot of college grads with fine arts degrees, which are the least valuable degree in America, that are underemployed and I have found can do amazing vintage paint matching and touch up you might consider in the future.

krakhaus 

Pearl White

jdawginsc 

Deep plum with dark sea foam lugs with red lug lining/striping.

Moe Zhoost

Folks, the OP showed pictures of 2 different bikes, one in great shape and the other the subject of his repaint plans. The 1981 Colnago is indeed in great shape but the other one to be repainted looks to me that it has already had a so-so paint job in the past, judging from the lug lining and lack of decals. It certainly needs fresh paint.

To the OP: I've always been partial to the orange, but the green of that year is great too.