Greetings Earthlings!
I know it's been a while and many of you have been wondering what "happened" to me. Like I fell off of the earth or something. Close but not exactly; I was abducted by aliens and subjected to a long period of inquiery as to the state of framebuilding technology here on earth. Apparently the debate over which is superior for building tubular construction spacecraft has infected our outerspace counterparts; the battle rages between titanium and cr-mo steel in the upper stratosphere even as we speak. I was called in to give my opinion on oversized tubing for landing gear struts and the effects of extended steering sticks on pilot seating position. I said stay traditional, as usual.
I have to apologize to some who have contacted me or made inquires in the past months for not responding in a timely manner or in some cases not at all. I've been very busy getting my ducks in a row to attend this years Cirque which means I have to stay away from the computer as much as possible. I'm really looking forward the the event this year and plan the be there all day Friday this time to join in all of the pre event fun. I might suggest that anyone attending the Cirque this year phone in an advanced order for any Krispy Kreme doughnuts they might require during their stay; since I will be siphoning product directly off of the assembly line and into my mouth while I'm there. Since the opening of a (relativly nearby) franchise that lures me in every time I need to get cat or dog food; I have become "dependant" on them. I know you rightsiders haven't caught on to this one yet but you will; out here we put the doughnuts in a hookah and smoke 'em! Enough about doughnuts, let's talk about Colnagos.
This past Sunday here in San Diego our "usual" group gathered for our monthly vintage ride which meets in Balboa Park. The weather has been a bit "iffy" for the past month or so and it appeared that a small amount of rain might accompany us, but that turned out not to be the case. Chuck stayed in LA instead of comming down which is a shame since we had great weather and a very cool ride. In addition to our regular routine, Matt Gorski and Sterling Peters christened this meeting the "Annual Joe Bell Colnago Super Ride" in honor of JB's recently aquired 1973 Colnago Super and its' restored debut. JB is a big Colnago fan and is also a Colnago paint and decal specialist and expert. When he won the eBay bid for this nearly 100% original bike in his size for just over $500, I'd never seen a happier man in my life. The bike of his dreams had just fallen into his lap. JB and I drove about 200 mi. round trip to pick up the bike from the seller who lives in my hometown of Huntington Beach, CA. Even the road trip was a gas! JB went ahead and cleaned up all the parts, trimmed in all of his original drilled and engraved Colnago parts, and touched up and clearcoated the frame before reassembly. He finished the job just a day or so before the ride and rode it for the first time this past Sunday. You should have seen the grin on that boys' face; the Cheshire Cat would be envious of it! I thought he was alight when he bought her; but the ride and the fit and all were enough to make him downright giddy. The whole ride we had to listen to how much he liked his new bike and how satisfied he was with it. It really is a beauty! There were several other early original condition Colnagos as well that made this ride a real treat for those who like to compare vintage bikes of various years to one another. We've gotten pretty good at determining the year of an early Colnago because there are several original exanples we have been able to learn from. I'm looking forward to completeing my 1970 Colnago project for the next Colnago gatgering.
Oh yeah, then we rode and had lunch.
BTW, I'm interested in finding another 1970 or '71 Colnago Super in 49 to 52cm (C-T) hopefully needing paint; although an original would be considered but I would have to figure a way to spend a bit more money. Contact me off list of you have any leads on such a frame.
I'll be sticking closer to the computer for a while as I try to catch up on my correspondance.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA