Re: [CR]Colnago gold

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot:PY-10)

Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2006 16:54:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: Raymond Dobbins <raydobbins2003@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Colnago gold
To: Greg S <gtsoftley@ozemail.com.au>, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <002001c6c186$80131330$2101a8c0@sn2046777123>


Hi Greg,

I admit that I don't think I have ever seen a gold chromovelato finish. At least not one that could be confused with true gold plating. I've had several frames with gold plating (still have three, including a Colnag Mexico Oro), and the finsh on all of them was the same: gold plating with clear coat over it. Perhaps because of the clear coat, some people may confuse this with a chromovelato finish.(?)

I don't know what quality gold was generally used for plating frames, but because the plating can be as thin as 1/250,000th of an inch (thanks to Bob Hovey for this fact), I assume they used the hardest gold available. However, if the clear coat becomes dull, it can make the plating seem low quality.

What year is that catalog that has the gold chromovelato finish you refer to? Can you scan it?

Ray Dobbins Miami Florida

Greg S <gtsoftley@ozemail.com.au> wrote: Hi crew, am contemplating a Colnago Mexico Oro project and wish to know if any of the CR mob have an idea of the timeframe that Colnago changed its Oro finish from a gold chromovelato to actual gold plating. Have been studying late 70s and early 80s Mex Oros for a while and have an '80 catalogue which has the Oro gold chromovelato but have seen later ones with what seems gold plating mainly on the stays. The plating looks as though it may only be 18k or less in quality. Would also appreciate a comment on the Pope's bike that he most graciously handed back - wanted a bike with fenders, lights, soft saddle and city bars for doing laps around the Vatican. I can just visualise him riding with a bell, streamers from the grips and a skirt guard so as his purple robes wouldnt get caught in the chain and a huge grin on his face. Did Cinelli make him a special hairnet that covered his mitre?
Greg Softley
Coffs Harbour
Australia