[CR]Classic (?) Rims questions

(Example: Production Builders:Teledyne)

From: "Ken Freeeman" <freesound@comcast.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2005 10:04:44 -0500
Thread-Index: AcUnFNNEuQGgl7fyRzSTXW10Ff8NAg==
Subject: [CR]Classic (?) Rims questions

Folks,

I have 2 pairs of Ambrosio tubular rims, and one set seems odd. I assume they're old enough to be on-topic, but that's really one of my questions.

The Montreal Mappamondo d'oro Premio Internationals 32 hole are quite straightforward, having double eyelets. Only problem with them is some surface corrosion or roughness that should polish out with Simichrome.

Second pair has me stumped. They are Ambrosio Formula 20, marked Super Anodized. These have no eyelets, and the thing is the drillings are too small to drop in a nipple! I tried this to measure ERD, and it seems the holes are only large enough for the end of spoke.

So the first question is, how do I build with such a rim? They seem like great utility wheels (paid $10). Are there special vintage spokes? Can I just drill them out? If I drill them, what's necessary to make the new holes usable, beyond deburring and using (brass?) washers?

Second question is, how old are these (both pairs)? I've been setting up to build wheels for my '80 Masi. The Montreal's have a nice slim shape the seems right for the bike, and of course they are Italian. It had Super Champion Aspens when I bought it, which I would assume were not as original. The bike is just barely post-Carlsbad, based on some extensive discussions with the CR experts and some of the Original Guys.

Ken Freeman
Ann Arbor, MI