Please help to identify this old bike
09-08-21, 06:00 AM
#1
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Please help to identify this old bike
Hi Guys,
I came across this old frame in great condition, it's probably northing special but would be nice to know what kind of bike it is.
I couldn't find any stickers or serial number on it and it's most likely been repainted. It has a full Shimano 105 FC-1055 groupset on it, headset, brakes, gear etc...according to the 2 letter shimano date code it was built on March 1991. The frame itself has some unique features which I have attached in the photos below. It has some columbus engraved on the tubing here and there and on the fork, seat tube has 74A lettering on it. Any ideas what bike is this?
I came across this old frame in great condition, it's probably northing special but would be nice to know what kind of bike it is.
I couldn't find any stickers or serial number on it and it's most likely been repainted. It has a full Shimano 105 FC-1055 groupset on it, headset, brakes, gear etc...according to the 2 letter shimano date code it was built on March 1991. The frame itself has some unique features which I have attached in the photos below. It has some columbus engraved on the tubing here and there and on the fork, seat tube has 74A lettering on it. Any ideas what bike is this?
Last edited by NDL; 09-10-21 at 04:36 AM.
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09-08-21, 06:27 AM
#2
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the 74A is probably the seat tube angle.
09-08-21, 07:20 PM
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Miele? BMZ? Giordano?
The only major brands that used Columbus drops were Bottecchia, Daccordi, Cinelli and maybe Presto, or Macario or something...
The only major brands that used Columbus drops were Bottecchia, Daccordi, Cinelli and maybe Presto, or Macario or something...
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
09-08-21, 07:40 PM
#4
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Well, it's Italian. Of course. And, with those particular cut outs I would guess that's a Colnago or De Rosa. But, I'm leaning more towards a De Rosa
09-08-21, 09:06 PM
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yes, it probably is of Italian origin although can see nothing which would preclude a birthplace in Flanderland
two images which might assist the forum's frame detectives are one giving a closeup of the underside of the shell and one of the brake bridge
keep in mind also that we have not been as yet informed of the frame's threading
the A on the 74A marking may be a means of indicating the the lug's sockets are intended for ISO dimension tubes
lug pattern is BOCAMA Professionnelle Luxe BA B1011 with cutout nr. B1
MauriceMoss is sure to sort all matters upon his next visit
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Last edited by juvela; 09-09-21 at 03:18 PM. Reason: addition
09-09-21, 05:56 AM
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NDL, you might check under the BB cable guide. Often serial numbers extend under there so might be missing a digit or two
09-09-21, 07:21 AM
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LOL! If there is a SN, it can't be a Colnago! Not to mention that he lug cutouts are typically a clover.
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09-09-21, 03:34 PM
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is it a single cutout under the bottom bracket or is there another one on the other side of the plastic guide?
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
09-10-21, 10:05 AM
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here we are now at a dozen posts on this inquiry and we have yet to be informed of frame's threading or of its tubing diameters
if these checks are inconvenient one easy one would be to measure the shell width
a 70mm shell would be consistent with an Italian origin & would not rule out a Belgian one
while a 68mm shell would tend to rule out and Italian origin
"by eye" it appears to be a 70...
-----
here we are now at a dozen posts on this inquiry and we have yet to be informed of frame's threading or of its tubing diameters
if these checks are inconvenient one easy one would be to measure the shell width
a 70mm shell would be consistent with an Italian origin & would not rule out a Belgian one
while a 68mm shell would tend to rule out and Italian origin
"by eye" it appears to be a 70...
-----
09-10-21, 10:21 AM
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Based on the apparent age of the bike and the quality it is interesting that it has no distinctive details or makers marking on the frame which would tend to rule most of the major makers. So likely a smaller maker around this time there a couple dozen lesser Italian makers producing similar bikes in Italy and Europe. As for the BB threading it is likely marked on the face of the cups and the tubing size can be determined by the markings sizing on the bottom half of the seat post.
09-10-21, 09:55 PM
#14
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-----
here we are now at a dozen posts on this inquiry and we have yet to be informed of frame's threading or of its tubing diameters
if these checks are inconvenient one easy one would be to measure the shell width
a 70mm shell would be consistent with an Italian origin & would not rule out a Belgian one
while a 68mm shell would tend to rule out and Italian origin
"by eye" it appears to be a 70...
-----
here we are now at a dozen posts on this inquiry and we have yet to be informed of frame's threading or of its tubing diameters
if these checks are inconvenient one easy one would be to measure the shell width
a 70mm shell would be consistent with an Italian origin & would not rule out a Belgian one
while a 68mm shell would tend to rule out and Italian origin
"by eye" it appears to be a 70...
-----
Head tube 32mm
Top tube 26mm
Down tube 29mm
Seat tube 29mm
Seat Post 27mm
BB width 68mm
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09-11-21, 11:44 PM
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09-12-21, 04:42 PM
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Nice bike! It looks to be well made, and the style is Italianesque, but with a 68mm shell I would not rule out a Belgian build.
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09-12-21, 05:03 PM
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Thanks for the tag, juvela .
NDL - you wouldn't happen to be in Australia, possibly Sydney area, would you?
The reason I ask is that most features of this frame seem point to a well regarded Sydney area builder named Kerry Hopkins.
The seat stay caps and the serial number location (although I can't fully make it out in the pic) are both consistent with Kerry's builds. He also often used Columbus dropouts, as well as the same chainstay bridge and bottom bracket shell. It would be helpful to see a pic of the stay end treatment as well as a clearer pic of the serial number.
Serial numbers on Hopkins frames changed over the years and I've seen 4 different formats, but they were all stamped in the same part of the bottom bracket shell. The first character in the serial on your bike looks rounded, so it could be a very narrow "G" that you'll find most commonly on Hopkins built bikes. I've also seen serials with no letter prefix as well as ones with "KH" and "ABK."
You could try to get more info by contacting ABC Bikes (Kerry might be retired by now but maybe someone there might still have the books with serial numbers (perhaps his son Shaun?)). Shaun Hopkins, btw, won a couple of silver medals at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.
Pics:
NDL - you wouldn't happen to be in Australia, possibly Sydney area, would you?
The reason I ask is that most features of this frame seem point to a well regarded Sydney area builder named Kerry Hopkins.
The seat stay caps and the serial number location (although I can't fully make it out in the pic) are both consistent with Kerry's builds. He also often used Columbus dropouts, as well as the same chainstay bridge and bottom bracket shell. It would be helpful to see a pic of the stay end treatment as well as a clearer pic of the serial number.
Serial numbers on Hopkins frames changed over the years and I've seen 4 different formats, but they were all stamped in the same part of the bottom bracket shell. The first character in the serial on your bike looks rounded, so it could be a very narrow "G" that you'll find most commonly on Hopkins built bikes. I've also seen serials with no letter prefix as well as ones with "KH" and "ABK."
You could try to get more info by contacting ABC Bikes (Kerry might be retired by now but maybe someone there might still have the books with serial numbers (perhaps his son Shaun?)). Shaun Hopkins, btw, won a couple of silver medals at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.
Pics:
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09-12-21, 08:52 PM
#18
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Thanks for the tag, juvela .
NDL - you wouldn't happen to be in Australia, possibly Sydney area, would you?
The reason I ask is that most features of this frame seem point to a well regarded Sydney area builder named Kerry Hopkins.
The seat stay caps and the serial number location (although I can't fully make it out in the pic) are both consistent with Kerry's builds. He also often used Columbus dropouts, as well as the same chainstay bridge and bottom bracket shell. It would be helpful to see a pic of the stay end treatment as well as a clearer pic of the serial number.
Serial numbers on Hopkins frames changed over the years and I've seen 4 different formats, but they were all stamped in the same part of the bottom bracket shell. The first character in the serial on your bike looks rounded, so it could be a very narrow "G" that you'll find most commonly on Hopkins built bikes. I've also seen serials with no letter prefix as well as ones with "KH" and "ABK."
You could try to get more info by contacting ABC Bikes (Kerry might be retired by now but maybe someone there might still have the books with serial numbers (perhaps his son Shaun?)). Shaun Hopkins, btw, won a couple of silver medals at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.
Pics:
NDL - you wouldn't happen to be in Australia, possibly Sydney area, would you?
The reason I ask is that most features of this frame seem point to a well regarded Sydney area builder named Kerry Hopkins.
The seat stay caps and the serial number location (although I can't fully make it out in the pic) are both consistent with Kerry's builds. He also often used Columbus dropouts, as well as the same chainstay bridge and bottom bracket shell. It would be helpful to see a pic of the stay end treatment as well as a clearer pic of the serial number.
Serial numbers on Hopkins frames changed over the years and I've seen 4 different formats, but they were all stamped in the same part of the bottom bracket shell. The first character in the serial on your bike looks rounded, so it could be a very narrow "G" that you'll find most commonly on Hopkins built bikes. I've also seen serials with no letter prefix as well as ones with "KH" and "ABK."
You could try to get more info by contacting ABC Bikes (Kerry might be retired by now but maybe someone there might still have the books with serial numbers (perhaps his son Shaun?)). Shaun Hopkins, btw, won a couple of silver medals at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.
Pics:
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09-13-21, 11:48 AM
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