This frame is definitely Fiorelli-made; probably mid to late 60s. As far as equipment goes, I am trying to determine the same thing because I ha ve also recently acquired one of these, though I think slightly earlier, ju dging from the decals. Mine is red with half-chrome forks and stays a nd chrome panels on the seat tube. I am quite upset because recently I was doing some browsing and came across a photo of Coppi on a Coppi in 1959. I didn't bookmark it and can't find it again. However, I do have a not very good photo of Federico B ahamontes who won the 1959 Tour de France on a Coppi. The hubs are low flan ge Campagnolo Gran Sport, which is surpising because Record hubs were in pr oduction, Campagnolo Record crankset, Gran Sport derailleurs. The bra kes are a mystery to me: the levers look to me like Universal because of th e way the adjusters look -- I don't know if any other brake levers had simi lar-looking adjusters, Balilla perhaps?. The callipers are not Univer sal because the cable is on the wrong side, i.e. if you look at the callipe r from the "visible" side, the cable is on the right rather than the left. I thought they might be Weinmann, but the curve of the arms is not q uite right - they look a bit more like GB to me, but I cannot imagine that they would be. The bars and stem could be Ambrosio, but they could equally be C inelli. I found a photo of Coppi chatting to Cinelli in 1959, so they might have had a business relationship and a 1958 photo of Coppi on a Copp i track bike looks like it has a Cinelli steel stem. My own frame came with Campagnolo Record crankset (151BCD), Gran Sport rear derailleur, Gran Sport seatpost, Mafac brakes - definitely "incorrect", an d Belgian bars and stem, also incorrect, and some more modern stuff. Because I have the parts and don't yet know any better, I shall fit Record hubs, early Record front derailleur, Ambrosio bars and stem, and Universal Extra brakes. With your slightly later frame, all Campagnolo Record w ould probably be appropriate and Universal 61 or 68 brakes. I a m sure that many of these Coppis were sold as framesets only, so any Italia n equipment of the right period would be appropriate. I would think t hat the only non-Italian part that would be acceptable would be a Brooks sa ddle. Hugh Thornton Cheshire, England
--- On Thu, 28/8/08, David G. White <whiteknight@burlingtontelecom.net> wro te:
From: David G. White <whiteknight@burlingtontelecom.net> Subject: [CR]Coppi frame - date and equipment? To: "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Date: Thursday, 28 August, 2008, 10:06 PM
Hi all,
I recently acquired a Coppi frame. I presume it is Fiorelli made. It's very cool. I love the decals and the buttons on the outside of the fork crown. I only wish it were in better condition. See here:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
It is said to be from the late 60s. Can anyone confirm or refute that?
I'd like to know when it was made and what equipment was likely on it originally.
Any help will be much appreciated.
David
David G. White
Burlington, VT
USA