Vintage Road Bike Restoration HELP

[philip drost]

Hi,
I posted on reddit for my problem and someone sent me to this site. I'm copying the message from reddit and past it under here:
Hi guys,

I'm new on reddit. I am restoring a vintage road bike that has huret drivetrain wit balilla brakes and nisi italian wheels with michelin hubs. The frame was repainted and I cannot identify the brand, that's why I am making a post here to ask you guys from the internet if you can help me with the identification of the brand and maybe of the model and year and if it is worth something.

I need to buy the right sitckers that'sa why I need to know the right brand.

Philip

->here are the photos, I never used a site to upload photos, I hope this site (ImgBB) is a thrusted site and you guys won't be scared by all this links, If yes tell me another site to upload the photos thank you



https://ibb.co/kXxnx9J

https://ibb.co/QpT952F

https://ibb.co/6t9fW0K

https://ibb.co/LZd621S

https://ibb.co/VBV75DM

https://ibb.co/RHfggp4

https://ibb.co/k3qcP8p

https://ibb.co/hFc2Xzs

https://ibb.co/hWYKMYM

https://ibb.co/hyK4YWK

https://ibb.co/2q9jR2b

https://ibb.co/VDFX4Yr

https://ibb.co/qB6Y4kY

https://ibb.co/5GKJX30

https://ibb.co/8NhGXg3

https://ibb.co/ZMyWNgH

https://ibb.co/4dknMQ1

https://ibb.co/7vqnStX

https://ibb.co/DVFgcKW

https://ibb.co/YDDSL2N

https://ibb.co/GnKx8vY

https://ibb.co/TM7g1YM

https://ibb.co/FHpbGhf

https://ibb.co/VQVGxJc

https://ibb.co/tchXgwt

[G_M]

Do you have any clue about this frame, @Jesper? It reminds me of your Crescent Pepita.

[Jesper]

(05-24-2020, 02:55 PM)philip drost Wrote:  Hi,
I posted on reddit for my problem and someone sent me to this site. I'm copying the message from reddit and past it under here:
Hi guys,

I'm new on reddit. I am restoring a vintage road bike that has huret drivetrain wit balilla brakes and nisi italian wheels with michelin hubs. The frame was repainted and I cannot identify the brand, that's why I am making a post here to ask you guys from the internet if you can help me with the identification of the brand and maybe of the model and year and if it is worth something.

I need to buy the right sitckers that'sa why I need to know the right brand.

Hi Philip,

I am doing some research on your bike, comparing to some frames I have and other examples I've seen. I couldn't readily view your photos, but did on my phone which wasn't very good for the purpose. Do you know what the bottom bracket width is (68mm or 70mm), and thread type? 70mm is predominantly Italian, but not always. Definitely appears to be late '70s vintage or earlier. I am doing some more research and will provide what I find.
A Colnago Nuovo Mexico is posted here with head tube lugs similar or the same as yours (https://forums.bikeride.com/thread-6775.html), but it's not a Colnago given the lug cutouts and other features.

Take care,
Jesper

[Jesper]

(05-24-2020, 02:55 PM)philip drost Wrote:  Hi,
I am restoring a vintage road bike that has huret drivetrain wit balilla brakes and nisi italian wheels with michelin hubs. The frame was repainted and I cannot identify the brand, that's why I am making a post here to ask you guys from the internet if you can help me with the identification of the brand and maybe of the model and year and if it is worth something.

I need to buy the right sitckers that'sa why I need to know the right brand.

Philip

Hi again Philip,

I got a better look at the photos and figure this bike to be about a mid-late '70s French "sport" bike, primarily based on the frame features/components you have shown, which are essentially lower end '70s parts (some made from the '60s into the '80s). Balilla brakes may be of higher quality than the other parts, and the "cotterless" Nervar cranks were not their lowest (need complete photo of crankset, and of the front derailleur). If the lug cutouts were specific to a builder and/or brand, it would probably get us the manufacturer allowing you to get some proper decals. It appears that there is the "outline" of a decal/headbadge (may have been an original [odd if indeed a repaint] or proper reproduction) on the front of the head tube; I'd add that photo also. How did you determine it was repainted? The "serial" number may designate a date code, but we would need to figure out the maker to determine what it means (even then they can be "cryptic"). Having that number usually takes it out of the higher end artisan frame category, since most builders didn't bother to number their low volume hand built/custom frames during the '70s (started to be more common in the '80s, well after your frame). I really need some information regarding the frame: bottom bracket width and threads (may be stamped on the BB cups: Italian 36mm x 24 T.P.I. right hand threads on both sides; French 35mm x 1mm or 25.4 T.P.I. right hand threads on both sides; Swiss same as French, but left hand/reverse threads on right/fixed cup side); seat post diameter in mm (best to use post to measure if you have it as the seat tube inner diameter may not measure correctly due to mis-shaping from clamp); 26.8mm, 27.0mm, 27.2mm would indicate a higher quality/lighter tubing used (total frame and fork weight [stripped of all components!] may also give an indication of tubing quality). These measurements can be done easily at a bike shop (they shouldn't charge much or anything as it can be done in 5 minutes, excepting BB and headset removal). Given the nice lug work (both regarding the lugs used, and brazing workmanship quality) I would assume that the frame to be of decent quality, and possibly exists as a higher end model; but with higher end components installed (a common practice in the '70s) instead of the entry-mid level on your bike. Even though it uses "Zeus" dropouts, I don't believe it to be a Zeus frame (Spanish make). Prugnat French lugs, but l'm still researching the lug cutouts so I'll update you when I find out anything else.

Take care,
Jesper

[Jesper]

(05-24-2020, 02:55 PM)philip drost Wrote:  I cannot identify the brand, that's why I am making a post here to ask you guys from the internet if you can help me with the identification of the brand and maybe of the model and year and if it is worth something.

I need to buy the right sitckers that'sa why I need to know the right brand.

Philip

(05-25-2020, 06:46 PM)G_M Wrote:  Do you have any clue about this frame, @Jesper? It reminds me of your Crescent Pepita.

It is a Tecnotelai frame (based in Bologna, Italy). I seem to have deleted my previous post regarding the ID; I apologize if repeating myself. I'll get photos posted when I can do so; I am trying to find proper credits for same . I still need the info and photos l previously asked for (would have helped me ID it more quickly); also a full frame shot of the drive side . Given the requested information, will be able to provide to you a better understanding of what you have. Tecnotelai has built frames for many companies, with some of those companies selling "rebranded" bikes from various builders under their name (e.g. "Carlos", merely a bike distributor not builder), but Tecnotelai has also sold them under their own marque. You may find many "rebranded" frames out there with their lug cut-outs, and fork embellishment/pantograph (crown w/"mid-line", as opposed to a simple crown outline). I don't believe they were marketed to the USA; but who knows, there have been many USA distributers of European bikes that were rebranded both as a different or existing European marques and/or a new USA brand (e.g. Ten Speed Drive Imports). Also a common practice with Japanese made bikes. The overall quality/value of your frame may be dependent on the grade of tubing used; as it will be hard to determine (read: impossible) an actual frame builder since Tecnotelai had probably used various builders to manufacture frames to their own design specifications and not a specific frame builder's design, which can often be discerned by a frames specific features aside from lug cut-outs. I have been informed that they were the primary user of "Zeus" dropouts in Italy, so they must have had some sort of agreement with that company; unsure if they did this during their entire existence. A photo evidence of this company's frame design have shown the same lug cut-outs and "Zeus" dropouts. As to decals, your best bet will probably be to use the Tecnotelai design since you don't have any reference as to what company this the frame was marketed under. Unless that head tube decal "residue" can provide some insight and was from the actual bike seller and not something added after "repaint". Once again, a photo of that area would help. In regards to your components; if you plan to restore it to original, then re-use those parts if they are in good repair, or replace with identical parts (a little shopping involved). You could certainly upgrade the components to provide better function depending on your riding requirements. None of the parts are "crap", but you can do better without extreme expense and keep it period vintage, or go and update to more modern parts.

Let me know if you need further assistance.

Take care,
Jesper

[Jesper]

(05-24-2020, 02:55 PM)philip drost Wrote:  I need to buy the right sitckers that'sa why I need to know the right brand.

Philip

Here are some decal examples; they may not apply to your bike, especially the tubing (Columbus) decal since your frame might be made of another tubing. That is why I need more information. I could also use a photo of your fork crown, top and side views. If plain without any pantograghed crown or certain lug used, it may indicate the frame quality and value.
Are there any "ridges" or "ribs" on the inside of the fork steerer tube"? Columbus reinforced steerers have 5 spiraling "ridges" throughout the tube. There may also be a Columbus "Dove" logo stamped into the exterior of the tube.

"3" next to Columbus could indicate a tubing formula grade, "1" being the highest; or that the 3 main tubes are made by Columbus. The 3 main tubes are denoted on other decals as "Tretubi", so it is hard to determine that number's meaning without confirmation by Columbus themselves; that is, if your frame is constructed with any Columbus tubes in the first place.
   
   
(Credits: eBay seller bikevintagesteel)

   
(Credit: velobase user mangun)

[Jesper]

I forgot to add another seat tube decal example, but not a Columbus tubed frame:

   
(Credit: Schermata 08-2456532 alle 18.09.36)