Hi Charles,
One of the bikes in my humble collection is a Colnago Super Prestige (same as every other Super, except the lugs are chrome like a Master) with complete Super Record group. Both the frame and the group were obtained a number of years ago by me and were NOS.
I am careful where I ride this one because the paint (typical early Colnago - not very good or durable), decals, etcetera are all original. Usually that means saving it for days when I know it will be fine weather all day long. Then I will take it out for a century ride or even a 200km brevet with our local Randonneur club.
This way, I am comfortable and familiar with its ride characteristics and have ridden it enough to sort out the little bugs that may be present on a newly assembled bike. Nothing can be more of a let down than getting a chance to ride a perfect bike, only to find that things don't work right because no one has dared to ride the bike enough to sort it out. The appearance and the performance must match...
Best regards,
Larry Strung
> Yeah, well, *you* try looking at my pristine 1972 Cinelli Super Corsa,
> nearly all original everything, and decide to ride it up Sepulveda toward
> the Santa Monica Mountains...even on a Sunday I have trouble with the
> idea...so, it sits. Troubles me a little, but not much. It's awfully fun
> to look at. And I do take it on safer rides, once in a great while.
>
> Charles
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Larry Strung [mailto:strungl@pathcom.com]
> > Sent: Tuesday, December 05, 2000 9:33 PM
> > To: Classic Rendezvous
> > Subject: {ClassicRend]To ride or not...+ Ebay notice
> >
> >
> > CR
> > Interesting discussion regarding whether to ride that
> > priceless nos treasure, or to hang it on the wall. I've
> > always been of the ride it mentality, although that is now
> > open to debate by my internal demons.
> >
> > Last summer, I almost stated through no fault of my own, I
> > managed to write off what was reputed to be one of six CCM
> > Nervex-lugged Flyer track bikes.
> >
> > The claim is that the 6 were made to support the Canadian
> > team at the Commonwealth games. They were catalogue listed
> > by CCM, but they were expensive so there were no takers.
> >
> > Another rider rolled a tubular in the corner at the beginning
> > of our final lap during a "vintage" bike race. I was right
> > on his wheel when he fell, and the impact with him and the
> > ground was enough to crumple all three main tubes in the
> > frame. If I were a whiner, I'd blame the other rider for not
> > gluing on his tire properly. But the reality is that by
> > going on the track, I accepted the risk inherent with the
> > activity. If you can't accept the consequences of that car
> > door when you ride your treasure, then perhaps you shouldn't ride it.
> >
> > I am still of the mentality that my bikes are to be ridden.
> > I may just be a little more selective where that might be in
> > the future.
> >
> > I now have the impossibly narrow Brooks B-17 Sprinter saddle
> > (Ebay item # 1104002387) and the lovely Cinelli steel track
> > bars & stem (Ebay item #1104035301) on auction from the late
> > lamented CCM. Among a lot of other, perhaps less
> > interesting, cycling items also listed on Ebay.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Larry Strung