75lechamp 

Hi folks, I seem to be continuing acquisition mode; here is my latest - a 1982(ish?) Colnago Super. This is only my second 'nago, the first being a Superissimo frame I bought brand new back in about 1983 from an outfit out here called Colorado Cyclist. I no longer have that bike, but it was the same color as this one.... I got his frame from a fellow here who got it from the original owner, who remembers he bought it brand new around 1982. I've done a little research, and it "seems" like 1982 is about right, given the features, but looking for Colnago experts here to help confirm. My build plan will be to use mostly NR and SR parts I have, and probably Cinelli 1A stem and Cinelli 64 or 66 bars.... thanks for looking!



Original paint and decals, as near as I can tell




This F777 on the Campy dropout drive side is the only number I could find


Clover Pantones on the brake bridge

Clover cutout and cable routing on the BB


Fully chromed fork

Colnago fork ends (not Campy, like the dropouts)

OldsCOOL

Love the color! Looks like a cool project ahead for you. I wish you well in the build.

TugaDude

You might find this website handy...

https://www.cycling-obsession.com/ho...colnago-super/

Sometime around 1980/1981 Colnago changed the chain stay bridge to a "spool shape" like the one on your bike. That means it no older than that.
P.S. You could always try to contact them: https://www.colnago.com/it/biciclette/master/

brooklyn_bike

not sure if it helps : i have a very similar colnago superissimo with lots of similar details. the colnago gurus also say 1982 - 1983

bamboobike4

Great bike. Colnago owners, especially overseas, are a fun crazy bunch.

They are not the lightest, most agile frames out there, but they are silly smooth.
I like my Super, which looks more like a Superissimo, but it doesn't matter.

Kabuki12

My 1975 Super is a great bike. I don’t know how it differs from the later ones but there is good reason they are still sought out . Mine is a 62cm and built with Campagnolo NR except for the crank which is Ambrosio with the cut outs . Cinelli saddle and bar/stem. Without pedals is 21.5lbs. Mine had 35 stamped on the drive side drop out and the steerer tube. I am told it is random and not really any kind of serial number.

jjhabbs 

Looks like it will be a great build.

JJ

OldsCOOL

They are a loyal bunch! My ‘77 Super grabs attention whenever I take it downtown. One time a guy hollers at me to take pics of it, massively fawning over it.

bamboobike4

Yep, I have had a couple take pics of this, and get plenty of drive-by comments. Almost always as I'm being passed. My super is garish.

SJX426 

@75lechamp - I dated mine from the PAT on the RD 1983. Nearly an exact match to yours but the Superissimo version. To show details would be duplicating yours with exception of the decals. I am not sure that isn't a repaint with older decal set.

P1040500 on Flickr

Velo-Retro: Colnago Super Timeline

Kabuki12

that is my experience as well. My wife , who doesn’t know much about classic bikes other than my ramblings, was surprised when we rode together out to the harbor . As we were having coffee three different people commented on the bike , “wow …Colnago”. Ernesto must be proud!

75lechamp 

SJX426 that is a very nice specimen, and exactly like the Superissimo I bought new, around 1983. I really like the chrome lugs on the Superissimo, and that is the exact paint color I had, and what I associate most strongly with Colnago. If I could have found a bike just like yours, that is what I would have gotten. Regarding the Super, I was able to talk to the original owner today, and he said he went to the bike shop in 1982 wanting a Bianchi and decided to get the Colnago instead. It is most definitely original paint, and I plan to keep it that way!

SJX426 

@75lechamp - Good to know.

Narhay

Very nice. That crown race looks like it has seen better days with the indents.

SJX426 

And no substitute available!

repechage

The "electric" blue is a great color.

75lechamp 

Slowly starting to put it together....



Decided to put my Cobalto calipers on this one... a bit later than the frame date of 1982, but I like the fact the colbalto "gem" goes well with the vibrant blue paint...

SR drivetrain...

Put my Mavic SSC bleu wheel set on this one, they're a bit beat but cool, like the frame...

SR seatpost, 1/A black stem and 64 bars with SR levers, starting to look like a real bike...

Kabuki12

It is coming together nicely . I like the Cobalto brakes …they go well on this one.

repechage

When you're styling, the whole world styles with you...
the blue the blue, the Bonnie blue the blue that should be worn.

75lechamp 

Well, I am just about done with the Super. I finally determined that this bike is very likely a 1981, based on features such as the spool shaped chain stay bridge, under BB cable routing, and not having the white panel decals, which were introduced in 1982.



Cobalto brakes look good with the cobalt blue paint



Polished out the paint




Just need to install the Regina chain I got yesterday from Mike One

Luzeru

That blue paint looks fantastic after polishing, nice work!

Kabuki12

It came out nice! You made good choices on this bike , I’m sure it will be a superb ride.

75lechamp 

Thank you all! I forgot to mention that I also set this up with a set of Mavic SSC "bleu" rims, with blue anodized alloy nipples. I always thought these were cool back in the day, and they were hyper-expensive, not even sure why. Hard to find nowadays, and I found two used examples separately. The one on the back is a dark blue while I think the one up front has faded a good bit. Cool in any event, though, I think.

Drillium Dude 

Looking good - and the paint sure did come up nicely from that polish! Hopefully I catch you before you cable up the derailleurs: you might cut an inch or two off that stainless coiled housing for the rear derailleur. Unlike modern units which require a long, graceful curve in order to work properly, a vintage setup with a Campy NR/SR derailleur needs very little cable housing. Here's one of mine for comparison:



No issues with shifting whatsoever.

Lastly, I like the tiny "goof" on the "G" in the seatstay cap pantographing. To me, it shows that the top caps were purchased blank, then engraved after the fact. Makes your frame a bit special IMHO

DD

75lechamp 

Thank you for noticing the goof on the Panto! I thought that was pretty cool as well.... Good point on the length of the stainless steel housing, I do have a shorter one around here somewhere and will swap it out for this one, it is a bit long....

Thanks,

Andy