Mark,
In most cases of bikes with orginal finish and decals that are in "good" shape it is generally desireable to leave them as original partially on account of their usefulness as referance for the future. Valuewise original paint and decals are always worth more than a refinished bike, especially considering that the refinish will cost you some money on top of devalueing the frame as a collectable. Some bikes are not so valuable that it matters. Perhaps finding another Torpado that really needs refinishing or has already been refinished to "do up your way" is an option.
If the Colnago says it's a Super then it's a Super. The Mexico was built with Columbus KL tubing which takes a 27.2 (or even sometimes a 27.4) seat post. Columbus SP tubing will require a 27.0 seat post. Larger frames are often built with SP tubes; that could be the case here.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
Going to be another hot one today, it's barely 8am and it's already
getting warm. Pardon me while I take a nap in the freezer.
>
> Hi all,
> Reading the postings to this list really causes me to think about a lot of
> things that I might not have otherwise. I'm very grateful for that, and I
> thank you all. This leads me to pose a refinishing question that has
> probably passed this list many times in the past. There is also a question
> about tubing at the end of this post.
>
> What criteria do "we" use in determining whether or not a vintage frameset
> should be refinished or not, and if so, how to do it.
> I really do love the ride of my Torpado Superlight (about 3.8lbs, frame
> only), and the brazings make it an awesome classic as far as I'm concerned.
> According to the information I read here on the CR website (see link below),
> this was their best frame, and it is painted just like the one pictured. The
> paint job has a few little nicks here and there, but not too bad at all
> really. The chrome shows just a bit of wear, but polishing hides it very
> well. There is virtually zero rust, and what might be there could probably
> be polished out too. When I originally decided to keep this bike, I figured
> that I would have it refinished with a color scheme that is more to my liking
> (I'm not a lover of teal, aqua, celeste, or anything like them). I have
> spent months now looking at thousands of frame pics and drawing little
> versions with color to help me make a choice.
> However, after reading these mailings here, I have begun to develop a
> different understanding of what it means to keep a vintage classic
> lightweight. I'm starting to think that it may be my duty, if you will, to
> preserve this bike in it's original form, as best I can. It occurs to me
> that any diversion from original, including the paint, reduces it's
> authenticity. My concern is not about possible future resale value, as these
> Torpados don't seem to really move anyone except me. It is the idea of
> respecting this work of art, as it was created, that is bugging me I guess.
> Understand that I basically hate the paint job as far as color that pleases
> my eyes goes. I would love to see it painted black, with yellow lugs and
> decals, and black highlights in all the awesome pantographs and lug cutouts;
> or maybe an all "black chrome" or "polished hematite" looking finish with
> chromed lugs; or maybe... Or maybe, anything I might do, pretty as it may be
> to me (the intended user for a long, long time) has nothing to do with what a
> genuine Torpado Superlight is all about, and should look like. So, even
> though I do not love the paint as one of "Mark's favorites", I have developed
> a certain respect and reverence for it, entirely because it is exactly what
> the builder envisioned, planned out, and carried out. It is the original,
> and perhaps that ultimately cannot be surpassed.
> Have any of you gone through this same decision process? How did you
> resolve it, if you have? Are my wants more important than the builder's, or
> is it the other way around? Do I take away from, or possibly ruin the
> classic value of the bike if I refinish it differently? I would genuinely
> appreciate any and all feedback you guys may have for me. It is always my
> intent to "do the right thing", in every aspect of my life, but I just don't
> know what that means here, and I need your help.
> Here is the Torpado link: <
> http://www.classicrendezvous.com/
>
> My second question is about seat tube thickness. I have a Colnago with
> Super decals on the stays, but also with the "Record Ora Mexico 1972" decal
> on the top of the seat tube. All drops are Campy (short style in the rear),
> forks are not chromed, cable guides are brazed on the top of the b.b. shell,
> and I can see pins through the shell, and also in the bottom of the fork
> steerer. I just assumed that the seat post required would be 27.2mm, but a
> Campy S.R. would not fit inside. It appears that a 27mm is in order, because
> a 26.8 was too loose. Does this sound correct? Any guesses to the approx.
> year of frame while we're at it? Would it be a Super, or a Mexico?
> What determines the thickness of tubing, the material used? Is there a
> simple rule of thumb that I can follow to avoid trial and error and ease
> planning in the future?
>
> Sorry I have thrown in so much at once, but this pondering keep me up at
> night!!! I figure that it is better to know the opinions of those that have
> crossed these paths before me. This is why I am learning so much from
> reading the posts. Thanks very much...
>
> Best regards,
> Mark Agree
> Detroit MI