1974 Colnago Super

Purchased on eBay from second owner in October 2008 as a frameset and, separately, all the original parts except wheelset for $1572. Back on the road 15 November.

This frame appealed because of its remarkable original condition, great 1970s colour and unusual decal scheme. This is a transitional style and unique to the 1974 Supers without the "wreath" and worlds bands on the seat tube and "Colnago" instead vertically in the same large type as on the downtube with the Colnago club above and without the worlds "flash" stripes added c. 1975. The headtube decal is on crooked!

The Restoration
Said to have approximately 3,000 miles on it and meticulously maintained by its original owner, the frame and original components were in superb condition so that the "restoration" comprised reassembly and overhaul only. The original wheelset of Campagnolo high-flange Record hubs with no name clincher rims was replaced by a wheelset built with Campagnolo low-flange hubs, Nisi sprint rims and NOS Regina Corsa freewheel and chain. A NOS 3ttt Superleggere saddle was fitted as were new cables and housing.

Frame
Material: Columbus SL double-butted frame and forks
Finish (original): pearlescent "Sammontana" mustard yellow, chrome-plated fork crown.
Size: seat tube 63 cm (c to t) (25”), 61 cm (c to c) top tube 58 cm (c to c)
Chainstay length: 42 cm (c to c)
Bottom bracket height: 11 inches
Wheelbase: 101 cm (40) inches (c to c)
Angles: 75.5º head 73.5º seat
Fork offset: 1½ inches
Rear spacing: 126 mm
Lugs: Colnago pattern with club cut-out on lower head lug
Fork Crown: Investment Cast with chromed cap
Dropouts: Campagnolo forged, long
Braze-ons: Campagnolo cable guides top of bb shell and chain stay cable stop, dual lever bosses and downtube bottle bosses
Frame/fork features: Colnago club cut-outs on lower head lug, fork tangs, fork crown caps and bottom bracket shell. Fluted seat stay caps
Serial nos: none

Components
Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1020/a pat. 78
Front deralleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1052/1
Gear levers: Campagnolo 1014 (cut-out) with Campagnolo clamp
Chainset: Campagnolo Record Strada 1049, 42t x 52t, 175 mm cranks, no date code
Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1046 Italian thread
Headset: Campagnolo Record 1039 Italian thread
Stem: Cinelli 1A, 110 mm, recessed allen bolt fixing
Handlebars: Cinelli Criterium No. 65, 39 cm, Velox black cotton tape and no name plugs
Brakes: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 2040 side-pull, nutted bolt fitting
Brake levers: Campagnolo Record
Brake cable clips: Campagnolo chrome-plated
Seatpost: Campagnolo Record, 27.2 mm
Seat binder bolt: Campagnolo
Saddle: 3ttt Superlegere with alloy undercarriage
Pedals: Campagnolo Record Strada 1037 with toe-strap loops
Toeclips and straps: REG Special chromed steel clips, no name black leather toe straps
Rims: Nisi polished alloy 36-hole sprints
Hubs: Campagnolo Record 36-hole low-flange with Campagnolo straight-lever quick release skewers
Spokes: 3x 15 straight-gauge stainless steel
Freewheel: Regina Corsa, 12-13-14-15-16-17t, six-speed
Chain: Regina
Tyres: Tufo Jet-Pro sew-ups 700x19
Accessories: Colnago bidon and REG bottle cage
Weight: frame/fork with headset: 6.6 lbs.
complete machine: 22.2 lbs.