ericlowney 

Update pic - I got new pedals, tires, tubes, and bar tape installed, dropped the stem a bit, and repaired the wheel with a busted spoke. I polished the deep scratches from the Campagnolo seat post and I'll reinstall it once I get a new saddle. Maiden voyage this morning went well, I picked up 1.5mph average over the Dawes Galaxy on a route I did 9/16. This bike is FAST and responsive. I hope the paint scheme grows on me I do think I may take it to Alan Wanta in Clearwater and let him repair the dent, chrome, etc. I just want to give it a few more rides before I decide.

DMC707

Thats a beauty !

Drillium Dude 

Gonna disagree and say I'm sure the fork is in its original, fully-chromed condition. However, at some point in its life, the fork was neglected and ended up rust-spotted along the legs in the dull middle portion - I think somebody tried to "fix" it by using too coarse a grade of steel wool or perhaps even sandpaper. The dull look is a result of using the wrong material to knock down the rust.

OP: if this is indeed the case (and I've seen this dull look as a result of the steel wool approach a time or two), it will probably not come back; I'd go the route of matching the frame paint, painting the legs, and leaving the crown chrome.

DD

Fahrenheit531 

I think the paint scheme you've got is much better than the over-the-top stuff we see on many Colnagos. It's got the contrast and accents without the baroque madness. What don't you like?

dddd

Looks really good as-is at this point in time!

merziac

Atta boy, good job, silk purse, sows ear, yada, yada.

I think you're really getting the hang of this.

looks like it cleaned up plenty ok and looks good from here.

I would paint the fork and ride it like you stole it, which I hope you did at least a bit.

ericlowney 

Just not much of a purple and pink guy but I keep reminding myself it IS Italian and is not supposed to be subtle.

ericlowney 

hah, thanks! It was a blast to ride today, just a quick hour trip as I had to catch a flight this afternoon. I think I need to make some fit adjustments once I replace the saddle (move the seat forward or aft) but otherwise consider it a success. I do want to try to find some period correct bottle cages, maybe the Elite Ciussi in silver or black? I don’t think carbon would look right

ericlowney 

I believe you are correct, there are some deep scratches on the forks. I may see what Alan thinks, I’ve been doing a little bit of research and it “appears” there is a spray on chrome finish that could be applied. If that is an option I may do that just to keep it in its original appearance. If not, then I may paint it at some point but will probably ride it for a while as is

merziac

Many greats rode pink at one point or another, especially after they won at the Giro.

This always gets compliments, light purple, dark pink, you decide.

It is fantastic in person, IMO.

Both Merz, and then Gordon (after he hung out with Jim while he was in Eugene) had their sponsored riders on pink bikes.

Sactown_Albert 

At these shops they will often be able to use a device to match paint tone. Some of the more low technology ones have books with paint samples with a hole in the middle that you can put the paint on the frame up to to eyeball a good match. They can then make you a spray can or small bottle of paint for brush application.

Doug Fattic 

Just so you know, paint used on bicycle frames often has some kind of translucent to it. The primer and the sealer (if they used a sealer after the primer was applied) can effect the top color. In fact an undercut of white is often used to give the top color more pop. That is why it can be difficult to match a paint color (since paint colors are usually not totally opaque blocking out what is underneath) without applying the right color of undercoat first. I don't have any special insight into Italian paints but I'd place odds to get this color tight, you will have to lay down a white primer before the dark blue. In fact Italians at one time liked to use chrome as an undercoat to enhance the top coat. Of course that made the paint chip more easily since the top color wouldn't have the adhesion qualities of a primer.

This is why I'd recommend taking it to Alan and have him experiment with options he has in stock. He might have to try out several combinations before it comes out right.

Doug Fattic 

Well it may be the fork was intended to be fully chromed but I'm not convinced. It is standard procedure - because paint does not stick well to highly polished chrome - that the chrome is roughed up with sandpaper or something abrasive before the primer is applied. That is necessary to prepare the surface so the primer can better stick better to it. The other clue is that the base steel is purposely not polished as highly before the chroming process begins. A close inspection can usually tell if the fork blades were highly polished to provide a base for the finished chrome to look shiny. If not and the surface of the chrome does not look as polished as the fork crown then the fork blades were intended to be painted.

Drillium Dude 

Oh, I know how the paint process goes for finishes such as this. I also know the various ways chrome is done; no stranger to how these two-wheeled machines are finished. The reason for my suggestion: the early Precisa forks were predominantly chrome, and a frame with a 3/4 chromed rear triangle would sport a fully-chromed fork at Colnago. A partly-painted fork, in the case of the OP's frame, wouldn't fit the aesthetic. Also, I've used steel wool and sandpaper on chrome in experimentation during a refinish and the results looked exactly like the OP's fork. Note, too, the same exact kind of brushed finish on the driveside seatstay surrounding the dent. I bet the dent-less other side has pristine chrome.

It looks like it spent some hard time on a trainer, and was put away wet a number of times.

Just pointing out the details I see in the photos and what they tell me based on experience. And this photo seems to support my chrome-to-paint ratio claim:



Edit: Added photo

DD

Kabuki12

I think I would have the fork rechromed by a reputable plater. That bike would really benefit and I think the other imperfections could be addressed by the owner. The wonderful ride from this bike is good no matter what and no matter what , it will still ride the same. I have patina bikes , but my Colnago was the first bike I wanted to have done. I purchased it from another BF member and knew the good and not so good going in. I rode it for a year, perfect fit , fun to ride with no structural issues. I loved the color , even though it showed many chips , scratches , and dullness. While I was putting it together I just polished as best as I could. When I decided to get it painted , I went with Franklin Frames in Ohio and had the color matched . Jack knows them well and has a source for the correct decals.

himespau 

Not period correct, but King Cage Iris cages look great on any steel bike in my opinion. Your mileage may vary as always.

Beautiful bike though.

Reynolds 531 

Note: Do NOT use in conjunction with steel wool. Use a rag as directed. Learn from my mistakes. (in fact always use brass wool, but that's a story for another day)

merziac

A little late to the party here but you're not entirely wrong.

Brass wool is useless in many nasty cases but certainly has its place.

It depends, of course you don't want to use steel wool on nice or decent chrome, nobody was advocating that but you can use 0000 and 00000 in many cases if you know what you're doing and have perfected a certain process as some do.

I have used it with every medium for many different materials to great effect in many cases,, steel wool, scotch brite, brass, stainless and plastic brushes on all forms of chrome, aluminum and steel.

It and many other products can really improve some very crappy surfaces once you find a good technique and process.

Elbow grease is the one true constant, that and starting out easy, often the chemical will do the work, if not, then you lean in slowly and carefully until you start to get results then back off and make sure you don't need to go more aggressive.

I have salvaged and made presentable again scores of parts and surfaces with so many different combinations of the above, very often times with great results.

Drillium Dude 

Another nice, modern cage - which has a vintage vibe - are the tubular Ti and stainless steel versions by Blackburn. Crazy light (especially the Ti version), and the perfect minimalist shape. Here's a pic of them with the parts which went back onto the Casati:



They look a lot like these Elite Ciuissi cages, also in stainless steel - another good choice:



DD

ericlowney 

Yeah I really liked the King Cage Iris cages, but ultimately just ordered the Elite Ciussi cages mostly based on the fact that they are Italian and seemed to 'fit' the Colnago theme. I have a Selle SMP Well S Gel saddle coming to try out and then the Campy seat post can go back on the bike. Last small piece I want is to replace the seat pouch/bag with either something branded Colnago, or maybe just a cool bag with the Italian flag colors or something on it. I like this Scicon for the colors and the fact that it clamps (not uses velcro) to the saddle. I think that would reduce the bag swinging around. Any thoughts? I found a Colnago branded seat bag but I have to order it internationally from ProBikeKit and historically I have not had a good experience with them. I can't seem to find any other Colnago, Campagnolo, etc. options.

merziac

@ericlowney

Scicon bag and Ciuissi cages FTW.

Maybe Silca seat bag but no Italian colors.

ericlowney 

Just wanted to share an update picture. Cages, saddle, seat post, seat bag, stem, and handlebars are all changed and the bike is it’s final form! Hope to ride tomorrow to see how much better it feels with the shorter reach.

ericlowney 

Resurrecting this thread as I've finally got around to looking to frame/chrome/paint repair - I emailed with Allan Wanta and he doesn't think he can get someone to redo the chrome (which is the worst part on the bike). Anyone know somewhere that can redo the chrome, roll or fill the dent, and redo the paint? I don't want to leave it as it sits, so my options I think are to either paint the entire bike any color scheme I want (including painting over the chrome), try to find someone to fully restore the chrome and repaint it, or sell it off to someone who doesn't mind the appearance... I'm probably somewhere in the vicinity of $1k in parts/materials and Allan was going to be another $450 without being able to fix the chrome.

repechage

the wry comment 40 years ago was that there were no old Imron painters. Brian Baylis might be a confirmation of that view.

MooneyBloke

I had those Ciussis for a season on my Mooneys. I found they were good at launching bottles at inconvenient times. My Mooneys now sport King Stainless cages that I polished up a bit more. Those bottles now don't go anywhere unless I grab them.

If I find all the Cuissis (should be four of them), I might put them up here or on evilbay.