Midlifecyclist

Got ahold of this bike from a guy who owned it for 25 years. He bought it from a colleague who had it powder coated in the mid 90’s. The guy that I bought it from was sure that it is a Colnago Cromor, I have my doubts. I’ve never seen a Colnago without the iconic clover pantographs everywhere you look.

Things I know:

1) It’s Italian EDIT: it’s actually a BSA threaded BB





2) It’s stiff
3) it’s yellow
4) It’s got Gipiemme dropouts on both the fork and the rear
5) It’s from 1989
6) It was imported to Denmark by Ole Ritter
7) Although hard to see in the photos, the rear brake cable housing is internally routed

I’d love if you can help me identify it. Here’s some photos…

Robvolz 

My first thought was Denti, but then I saw the strange rear drop outs

Mackers

Is that a cracked headset cup?

May be a Colnago Sport of some sort.
Those were farmed out to Velosport.
Should read Gipiemme on the dice on the brake bridge as well.
Zeta tubeset.

CO_Hoya 

That rear dropout reminds me of an 80s Bianchi

jdawginsc 

That was my thought as well. But no Bs.

unworthy1

Yep those GPM DOs were used by Bianchi more than any other, but I'm sure they did not have an "exclusive"...no serial number anywhere? even the steerer? What size seatpost?

Midlifecyclist

found a serial number:

wmr5363E (this is a Danish bicycle VIN. The W means it’s imported, the mr means it’s imported by Ole Ritter and the e at the end means it’s from 1989)

Ole Ritter imported many many bike brands so that kind of a dead end

nothing on the steerer, but the saddle post is 27mm (it’s stamped on the post “27”)

jdawginsc 

Definitely well loved for sure. Really like the Miche post.

More often than not, Cromor has a 27.2 seatpost.

Were Colnago Sports made in Netherlands-Belgian factories?

JohnDThompson 

Gipiemme dropouts. They were available with or without the eyelet.

juvela

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certainly appears "production"/"cookie cutter"

the 27.0 saddle pillar size eliminates Zeta tubeset which would be 26.2/26.4

the heavily corroded MICHE crankarms appear they may be melt-forged rather than cold-forged

when in doubt put out the alarm for chief inspector @MauriceMoss



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unworthy1

Helpful refs, thanks again JDT. There's a variation on the "eyelet" style where the threaded hole is surrounded by a a raised "ring" which is more common in the Bianchis (and others) that I've seen in person which use this style DO.
The fork may have a Cromor decal on the blade(s) which does not necessarily mean the frame is Cromor. The 27 seatpost size is a bit curious, normally that would point to an SP seat tube, but don't think this is the case.

Other bits that could be clues are the (allegedly) BSA BB threading, if you just measured the BB shell at 68mm that may not be enough, did you read "1.37 x 24tpi" on the cup(s)? . When/if you get to it the DS cup will be LH threading, even if the cups bear no markings.
And the seat stay caps are vaguely familiar but I cannot put a name to them, however they ring a faint "Italian" brand bell..something well known and NOT Colnago/Colner...but possibly Cornelo...which could make a Benelux connection...

Midlifecyclist

Good insights, thank you. I think I’ll get it back up on the stand tomorrow and actually disassembly the crank assembly (could use some serious cleaning anyway). I’ll investigate the thread pitch/direction.

Does the top tube internal cable routing tell
you anything?

e

unworthy1

"Does the top tube internal cable routing tell..."
Nope, but would be good to see details of the entry and exit points, cause those might be distinctive and therefore "telling". They seem to be on the side of the TT which is not as common as many...

Midlifecyclist

here’s a couple of photos

unworthy1

Those DO seem distinctive, at least I've not seen many (or maybe any) exactly like them. Though they also seem mass-produced.
It will be interesting if some super sleuths (like MauriceMoss) has some insights about this frame.

RCMoeur 

I like these threads, in that in spite of as much information as I've accumulated through the decades, it's a reminder of how much more there is to know.

jdawginsc 

And how complex the bike production world is! Especially with all of the custom and small builders out there.

I agree, I love these.

unworthy1

me three!
I especially like when a real expert (not me) comes thru with a slam-dunk positive ID, I'm generally gob-smacked!

Another thing for the OP to check: it possible that the nice Miche 27.0 seatpost is not the correct size, the clue being if the gap in the rear of the seal lug shows signs of pinching.
It wouldn't be much but possible that a 27.2 is actually the correct size IF the seatlug and seattube were properly round and smooth in the top 6" or so.

Very possible that all the frame bits are "Italian" (and maybe all GPM) but I don't know of too many Italian made frames ffom this (mid-late) 1980's era that used that modified "Dutch-style pinch bolt" on the back of the seatlug instead of a lug with conventional "ears"...plus if it's really Brit BB threading then all bets are (farther) off.

The stay caps/tips I was try to recall may have been the ones used on some Gios, but they had a more pronounced concave "scoop" to them, so that's no clue. However there were some Bianchis that MIGHT have used a cap that's more like the shape of the OP's and those that I can find in my crude image search seem to be about the same vintage BUT these have the typical "B" in a circle panto...not much help

Midlifecyclist

Definitely good point about the saddle post. I hadn’t noticed the pinch before. I’ll check it out when I get home. I didn’t have a chance to get it on the stand today as intended but thems the breaks. We’re going into an extended holiday weekend here in Denmark. The next business day is Tuesday so lots to do

I agree in regards to a mysterious treasure hunt like this. I’m usually pretty good at doing a deep dive to find info, but I think cycling in particular is one of those life-long passions where everyone has something to contribute. I love hearing from the old timers (I’m nearly 50 myself). I love hearing different perspectives about things that I at one time though I knew so much about.

Thanks to everyone for their input so far! I hope someone comes along with some definitive answer, but the journey is just as fun as the destination on this one