In a message dated 11/1/2001 7:15:32 PM Eastern Standard Time, rabbitman@mindspring.com writes:
<< but a Giordana lugged steel, made by Tomessini >>
Garth: Those bikes were always made by Belato, said to be the ex-head builder at Pinarello. He also made recent Marins, early to mid Greg LeMonds(as did Scapin.) and who knows who else's bikes!
<<...did Raleigh possibly order 531-C tubing in a 27.0 seat tube size? My 80's Raleigh seems to have a shade more than usual resistance to a 27.2 post even when greased. The collar has definitely never suffered from overtightening, nor is there excess flashing on the lug that might cause a bit of binding. 27.2 seat posts still slide in and out with a firm twisting hand, but it doesn't go like butter. Would 27.0 be a better fit, or should I not even try, if 27.2 is still very workable? >>
Sounds like you need a proper reaming! If the 27.2 goes in, that is the correct size. Bring it to cycles de ORO (if you don't mind the 18 hour drive or whatever) and I will gently size that frame so the seat post slides in smoothly. You likely have slight jetsam and flotsam left in the interior.. Not an unusual situation for a production bike...
BTW, the old two bolt Campy seat pins work like a dream in terms of microadjusting.. nothing better. Just get a 10 mm box combo wrench from Sears and adjust without bending the saddle flap. The Campy tool for this purpose stinks.
My 2 cents....
Dale Brown
Greensboro, NC