You guys are the best, thanks for the inspiration
11-25-21, 04:01 PM
#1
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You guys are the best, thanks for the inspiration
I know it's not really C & V, but it is lugged steel with a horizontal top tube. This bike was built for me in 93 or 94 (so long ago, no paper trail, I cant remember exactly).This bike was ridden hard for at least 10 years. I stored it in my dry basement and started using a Litespeed Classic as my daily ride, then moved on to a CF Pinarello 
. This is when I discovered this forum and started checking out all the beautiful bikes on the C&V section. Inspiration struck and I dug my old Grazzini out of the basement last Spring. I stripped it to the bare frame and rebuilt it back to working order. Compound and wax for the paint, NOS Chorus BB, and headset, new cables and housings, rebuilt the hubs and had Velocity wheels built. I cleaned the original Flite saddle as best as it would get, last was new Cinelli bar tape. Tuned it up and here we are.
Again thanks for Inspiration.
. This is when I discovered this forum and started checking out all the beautiful bikes on the C&V section. Inspiration struck and I dug my old Grazzini out of the basement last Spring. I stripped it to the bare frame and rebuilt it back to working order. Compound and wax for the paint, NOS Chorus BB, and headset, new cables and housings, rebuilt the hubs and had Velocity wheels built. I cleaned the original Flite saddle as best as it would get, last was new Cinelli bar tape. Tuned it up and here we are. Again thanks for Inspiration.
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11-25-21, 04:13 PM
#2
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Beautiful bike! I'm not one of the experts but I'd say that checks almost all the C&V boxes!
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11-25-21, 04:17 PM
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11-25-21, 04:25 PM
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Very classic Bruizer - Are those the A23's in the polished finish?
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11-25-21, 04:45 PM
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Works for me, that is a true beauty. Very well done!
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
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11-25-21, 05:58 PM
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@Bruizer
So scant info to be found on these but some at least so....
Apparently solid history, old world/school chops at least, looks like a Championship at one time.
Steel, lugged, real deal, keeper of the flame, etc.
All good, couldn't be more so IMO.
Tx for sharing, keep it up.
So scant info to be found on these but some at least so....
Apparently solid history, old world/school chops at least, looks like a Championship at one time.
Steel, lugged, real deal, keeper of the flame, etc.
All good, couldn't be more so IMO.
Tx for sharing, keep it up.
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11-25-21, 06:02 PM
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11-25-21, 08:37 PM
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What a coincidence! One of my C&V bikes will be 27 years old in 2038, and another one was 27 years old In 2008.😉 Beautiful bike. Dropouts, lugs, BB, seat stays, fork crown--all nice!
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I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
11-25-21, 08:47 PM
#13
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@Bruizer
So scant info to be found on these but some at least so....
Apparently solid history, old world/school chops at least, looks like a Championship at one time.
Steel, lugged, real deal, keeper of the flame, etc.
All good, couldn't be more so IMO.
Tx for sharing, keep it up.
So scant info to be found on these but some at least so....
Apparently solid history, old world/school chops at least, looks like a Championship at one time.
Steel, lugged, real deal, keeper of the flame, etc.
All good, couldn't be more so IMO.
Tx for sharing, keep it up.
Here is some info on the builder you might find interesting. His name is Giordano Grazzini. He's originally from Florence, Italy. He was a machinist, his family had an Antique furniture restoration business. When he and his American wife moved to the US they opened an Antique furniture restoration business here in CT
We met riding with a group and became friends.
He only built two bicycles. One for himself using Reynolds 531 and one for me using Reynolds 731os. He tried to buy 753 for my build, but they wouldn't sell it to him.He silver brazed both bikes. I think 731 required silver brazing on the seat stays or chain stays so he silver brazed the whole frame.
Heres a picture of him holding the finished frame between his thumb and two fingers. I showed him this picture a couple of weeks ago, and he laughed saying that was to show me how light it was.
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11-25-21, 08:52 PM
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Excellent resurrection of your ride! Welcome to the tribe, the bonds here are very strong. Your bike looks great and your choices of things seems solid and well thought out.
Always neat to learn of another marque from the past.👍
Bill
Always neat to learn of another marque from the past.👍
Bill
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
11-25-21, 08:52 PM
#16
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It took me a while to understand what you were saying. I liked that a lot . thank you.
11-25-21, 08:59 PM
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Thank you for the kind words. I've been learning a lot being here. its quite a treasure trove of knowledge!
11-25-21, 09:38 PM
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Gorgeous bike, greetings from the CT shoreline!
Nice riding in that part of the state. Or any, really.
Nice riding in that part of the state. Or any, really.
11-25-21, 11:18 PM
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I can honestly say that is the most beautiful Grazzini I’ve ever seen.
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Montana, where men are men and sheep are lying little tramps.
11-25-21, 11:54 PM
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Thank you for your interest. I'm really proud of how it came back to life! It's a joy to ride.
Here is some info on the builder you might find interesting. His name is Giordano Grazzini. He's originally from Florence, Italy. He was a machinist, his family had an Antique furniture restoration business. When he and his American wife moved to the US they opened an Antique furniture restoration business here in CT
We met riding with a group and became friends.
He only built two bicycles. One for himself using Reynolds 531 and one for me using Reynolds 731os. He tried to buy 753 for my build, but they wouldn't sell it to him.He silver brazed both bikes. I think 731 required silver brazing on the seat stays or chain stays so he silver brazed the whole frame.
Heres a picture of him holding the finished frame between his thumb and two fingers. I showed him this picture a couple of weeks ago, and he laughed saying that was to show me how light it was.
Here is some info on the builder you might find interesting. His name is Giordano Grazzini. He's originally from Florence, Italy. He was a machinist, his family had an Antique furniture restoration business. When he and his American wife moved to the US they opened an Antique furniture restoration business here in CT
We met riding with a group and became friends.
He only built two bicycles. One for himself using Reynolds 531 and one for me using Reynolds 731os. He tried to buy 753 for my build, but they wouldn't sell it to him.He silver brazed both bikes. I think 731 required silver brazing on the seat stays or chain stays so he silver brazed the whole frame.
Heres a picture of him holding the finished frame between his thumb and two fingers. I showed him this picture a couple of weeks ago, and he laughed saying that was to show me how light it was.
A builder had to be certified by Reynolds to build with 753, Jim Merz was reportedly the first in the US.
So this must be the son? of the original builders or racers that I found on eFB?
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11-26-21, 12:44 AM
#21
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1993 or 94 is probably C&V by now. This a beautiful bike! Looking forward to more pics.
11-26-21, 05:39 AM
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Beautiful Bike! Also my choice of rims for all recent, and subsequent builds. Great story too, thanks for sharing.
Tim
Tim
11-26-21, 06:52 AM
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And @majmt
A builder had to be certified by Reynolds to build with 753, Jim Merz was reportedly the first in the US.
So this must be the son? of the original builders or racers that I found
https://www.facebook.com/grazzinileb...54293039541117
A builder had to be certified by Reynolds to build with 753, Jim Merz was reportedly the first in the US.
So this must be the son? of the original builders or racers that I found
https://www.facebook.com/grazzinileb...54293039541117
Thanks Tim. I really like the rims, they’re very strong and the polish looks good with the rest of the bike.
Last edited by Bruizer; 11-26-21 at 06:55 AM.
