James,
I am an Gianni Motta owner/rider but not an expert. Mine is a "Personal 2001" model purchased used from the importer in Tulsa in the mid-1980s. It was the owner's personal bike. My impression is that the frame is a late '70s or early '80s model built up with post 1983 Campagnolo S.R. components (steel BB and pedal axles). Mavic GP-4 tubular rims, Cinelli bar and stem, all pretty much standard top of the line Italian components of its time. The triangular brake caliper arms with the script engraving tell me that they are 1983 or later. As I write this from the office I don't know what patent date the SR rear derailleur carries, but it looks just like the one on the catalog. The components on mine are not pantographed, though.
It has Columbus SLX and has the cable routing under the BB. There were quite a number of them being ridden and raced around Tulsa in the early 80s. The "Trans-Tork" bent seat stays was a feature early on. Mine has parallel seat and head tube angles. I wonder if yours is a triathlon model because of the steep head tube.
Note the seat stay "caps" in which the seat stays are inserted into the ends that are brazed to the seat tube. Some Motta frames have similar caps for the dropouts. Mine, on the other hand, have conventional Campagnolo dropouts inserted into the stays. The "caps" on the tops of the seat stays are present, though. I believe the frames with the capped dropouts are of later vintage than those with conventional dropouts.
The bike has a very nice, lively but supple ride.
Bruce Schultz Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
On Mon, Mar 24, 2008 at 2:49 PM, James Doolittle <
JDoolittle@bentwaterclub.com> wrote:
> Hello, yes, it was not frame fatigue as many foretold. It took a
> magnifying glass for these old eyes but I did have a hair line crack,
> rear drop out on the freewheel side on My (beloved) Moretti. It is
> going to be fixed and restored by Roland Della Santa to the original
> fantastic state I hope. I'll post photos when done.
>
>
>
> Now to my new/old bike. Off topic by year (?) but KOF steel. I was
> fortunate to work with my old friend Hank Cunningham of Helotes Bike
> Shop and woke this Gianni Motta up from its slumber at Hank's shop.
> What can I say, Motta, Moretti both Italian red steel, at least I'm
> consistent...
>
>
>
> http://www.wooljersey.com/
> tml<http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/hollowlegs99/My+Motta/DSC01240.JPG.html>
>
>
>
> Are there any Gianni Motta experts out there? Can anyone help me to
> date it? The drop outs say "Columbus". Unfortunately the Columbus
> decal is destroyed. Does anyone know what decal this is? SL or SLX?
>
>
>
>
> http://www.wooljersey.com/
> tml<http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/hollowlegs99/My+Motta/DSC01274.JPG.html>
>
>
>
> Comments, suggestions off list please. Thanks to all. I rode the Motta
> a century on Friday and it was a good ride. She's stiff in the back and
> a tad lighter than my 70's steel. Very pleasant! I did get a Technomic
> stem and raised my bars quite a bit after these photos. My hands were
> going numb after a 58 miler...
>
>
>
> James Doolittle
>
> Spring, Texas, (where the redbud, dogwood and bluebonnets are blooming),
> USA