Re: [CR] Colnago verification and dating requested.

(Example: Framebuilders:Alberto Masi)

From: "Jean-Marie" <jmbr@pt.lu>
To: John <torup@sbcglobal.net>
In-Reply-To: <A09953E5-8C91-4F8A-A248-7CEF687AC34C@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:40:15 +0100
References: <mailman.9.1269288004.88609.classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR] Colnago verification and dating requested.


Hello John,

They did strange things back in those days. What I can tell You I have it from my friend Edy who helped me a lot with my ( small) collection of bikes. Edy ( Schutz) was a professional rider during the 60ties and until 1973. He rode with Anquetil in the beginning of his career and with Edy Merckx at the end. Since he runs a small but fine bike shop. He was the last Luxembourg rider who won a step in the Tour de France during the last century. That was in 1966. Their bikes had the belgian brand name (decal) "Flandria" on the frame. Now a couple of months ago Edy told me : "Flandria" on the frame, but no frame was actually built by Flandria. Ernesto ( Colnago) had built all of them. I have been with Ernesto when he prepared the bicycles for the whole "équipe". And brought them up with my truck... Some "insignifant" differences - so one could have some doubts:-)" Maybe this brings some light into this.

Jean-Marie Biwer Basbellain, Luxembourg, Europe

Le 23 mars 10 à 01:25, John a écrit :
> Let's do a bit of referencing first:
>
> Sorry for the link required, but such as it is with text.
>
> http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Eb_TNSOa4Es/0.jpg
>
> Shows the same basic image as bundled with the images of the frame
> set but with less cropping, showing the intriguing side head lug
> club cutouts, and a bit more.
>
> It shows Eddy with his mount AND the fork crown, the crown being a
> semi sloping unit, with clubs cut into the side aft and top along
> with the Colnago C on the top surface.
>
> In this context, the fork on this bike does not match very well,
> having a pressed steel crown, no cutouts or incising, a steerer that
> extends beyond the crown and not dressed off, along with dropouts
> that did not meet a file much.
>
> The reinforcements at the rear stays are not to be seen, which is
> curious.
>
> The big weld line on the BB shell underside is unusual. Colnagos I
> have seen that predate the club cutout have a series of holes in a
> circle around a hole.
>
> The seat stay caps are atypical. The Colnagos before the double
> taper stays with concave plugs got different and more attention than
> shown here.
>
> The rear dropouts are not filed "square" and the inside of the drive
> side chain stay does not appear as it got much attention other than
> being crimped.
>
> The seat lug ears are avoided in the photos, one should expect these
> to be filled with braze material. There is more variances, but
> that's quite a bit.
>
> I am not convinced its a Colnago. Ouch.
>
> John Jorgensen
> Torrance CA USA
>
> _______________________________________________

jmbr@pt.lu