bigwoo

This is a real long shot, but is there any chance that one of the Italian experts recognizes the running animal (Kangaroo or perhaps Greyhound? ) in the decal logo?

Years ago, the Italian National team was training in Leadville, CO and much of their equipment was sold off to a local racer who acquired this beauty. Full Campy with Columbus TSX. Based on the BB, I'd place this someplace around '87-91.

Any help appreciated.

https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0B...ZyRHBUMnc/edit

Road Fan

You're not offering a lot to go on - two tubes with minimal decals, and a BB label?

daf1009

Really? You couldn't give a beauty shot at least? You did want to make it tough!

bigwoo

Oops, ok. You should have more photos in the link now. But hopefully someone knows that running animal logo.

sloar 

I actually found a few others like this. A couple threads stated that it's an ampello built for the 88-89 race team. One article said made in Belgium and another stated Italy. I just did a quick search for Ampello road bike.

bigwoo

Thanks Sloar, But I think that we disproved that Ampello ever actually made 1980's bikes last year. They just wanted their name on them. The builing was left to a master builder near the teams' home town, or so I've been told.
Also, Le Defi was not a main sponsor. They were a co-sponsor.
Someone with a really stong eye and history swore up and down that the bike was a ??? "TIRO___AS___..." or something or other. Then someone else swore it was a "Squadra Corso". I am hoping somebody has seen the running animal though. I myself have wondered about Irio Tommasini because it was signed on the rear right side of the top tube by someone.

But all that's left of that back signature is "T _ _ MAS_ _"

unworthy1

I'm basing this on nothing but hunches and feelings: I think it was built in the same Italian contract shop that made the Concorde frames for that Benelux concern back in the early '90s...and many people say that was Billotti, but may have been the "other B team" that made Ciocc/Conti/John frames (and probably more).

bigwoo

OK, that's good to know. The only place that I've been able to find this exact rear brake bridge and the internal cable routing in the exact same spot, and the race number brazed eyelet is on an Italian Blog Post about late 80's (and a '92) Tommasini models. I'd be interested to know who the "T _ _ MAS_ _" signature belongs to then. It's possibly the finest race bike I've ever ridden. But then, it's the only TSX machine I've ever been able to find.

daf1009

Regardless of what you learn...gorgeous bike with tons of potential...and quite a bit of uniqueness...then on top of that, you love the ride...very cool!

bigwoo

Agreed! At some point I'll have to stop riding this and actually do a comprehensive overhaul. This is one of the only aggressive race bikes that doesn't bother me to be on for long periods of time. My smart *ss friends keep telling me to paint it, but I sort of like the retro......

daf1009

The paint does look a bit rough...but...I would not change it, particularly if you believe it to be original!

I would do away with the "blue flippers" handlebar tape...maybe a grey tape...or, if you could find one that actually matched the turquoise in the logo...

lotek 

Bigwoo,

Possibly not Italian, but Belgian? AMPE shop in Houte ?
House brand is Ampello....
the only thing I see is rebranded Concorde bikes.
maybe our Dutch or Belgian contingent can comment on this?

Marty

bigwoo

Thanks Marty, Unworthy, Sloar! Who da thunk it?! I just checked out the Columbus Max page and the Ampello on there sure does have the same downtube lettering as this one. Never heard of their shop. Apparently they and Tommasini did the exact same top tube internal cable spots and brake bridges.

Edit- They built Eddy's too?! https://www.flickr.com/photos/qualit...n/photostream/ No wonder that guy last year insisted it was a Squadra Corso. It actually IS similar to a Merckx Corsa-01. My seat tube top is 27.2 though.

Bianchigirll 

Beautiful bike.

bigwoo

Gracias Bgirl! It really could be if I'd stop riding it and give a proper overhaul and cleaning.