ICS (Switzerland) modified Campagnolo parts extensively and offered sets of Campagnolo downtube shifters that were bent to a beautiful curve and machined to take a molded black rubber insert inbetween the perimeter bumps of the levers. This was in the 1980s. They sold entire groups that were chromed or gold plated. Also matching ICS modified Cinelli 1R stems that were chromed over the aluminum with a nice metal Cinelli seal applied to the front and each side of the stem and Cinelli bars with the old engraving (helmet coat of arms) long after Cinelli only sold the "Flying C" logo bars.
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, California
Andrew & Merilee Gillis wrote:
>
> Dear CR's:
>
> Regarding Aldo Ross' comments on the Battaglin down tube shift levers:
>
> SNIP:
>
> Looks like his shift levers are Campy, with the levers possibly cut-out,
> and
> dark (rubber?) inserts installed in the cut-outs.
>
> I've seen down tube shift levers like this close up. The center section has
> been machined down to be thin and flat, with metal still remaining. The
> lever's perimeter bumps of the lever are left intact. The center section
> would be either painted or anodized black, with engraving (pantographing)
> of the frameset name (i.e. Pinarello) included.
>
> regards,
>
> Andrew Gillis (warming up with smog in Long Beach, CA)