[CR]Restore or no? 60's Cinelli Pista

(Example: Framebuilding:Tubing:Falck)

From: <velorosso@charter.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 17:40:01 -0800
Subject: [CR]Restore or no? 60's Cinelli Pista

Given the recent thread on whether to restore a given bike or not, I present this Cinelli "Pista-Strada" for discussion. Thanks again to Morgan Fletcher for his wonderful website.

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/view_album.php?page=1

The photo's represent the bike as acquired. I showed it at 2004 VeloRendezvous but cleaned and dressed up with pink Benotto bar tape (per a Baylis suggestion in a list thread on Benotto tape).

Story is prior owner decided to create his "dream bike" in 1968. Started with a Cinelli Pista frameset (guess is early 1960's with oversize "sprint" chainstays) added cantilever brake bosses and rear derailleur tab then fully chromed the frame. Add late 1960's Campagnolo road components, Mafac cantilever brakeset and the dream was fulfilled! It then sat in a San Francisco garage until last year, collecting considerable surface rust and pitting in the chrome plating.

Got varied opinions at VR04 whether to restore or not. Some had strong opinions, interestingly, most said leave it as a unique period piece, even if questionably modified. For fun and riding, I've decided to equip it as a 5-speed for a cleaner look.

Does this machine merit restoration at some point?

John Siemsen San Luis Obispo, CA