I too did the "drillium" thing back in the 70s - but only chainrings. I wouldn't ever dream of defacing a Cinelli - that's just plain wrong!
Steve Whitting
"The Ciocc Cat"
Prairieville, Louisiana USA
Website at http://ciocc-cat.angelfire.com/
From: euromeccanicany@yahoo.com <euromeccanicany@yahoo.com> Subject: [CR] Cinelli? To: "classic rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Date: Monday, October 5, 2009, 2:30 PM
I turn again to the collective wisdom of CR for identifying the frame I just bought on Ebay:
http://ebay.com/
Photos taken today, after removing a hodgepodge of 70s era parts (Dura-Ace hubbed wheels & D-A brakes; Huret Jubilee derailleur set, Fiamme bars & TTT stem; the D-A crankset will have to wait until I get a crank puller from home):
http://www.flickr.com/
Here is some relevant data not easily seen in the photos:
1. serial number 3828, stamped on what's left of the bottom bracket on the non-drive side, readable with the bike lying on the drive side 2. 26.2 seat post diameter 3. Cinelli fork crown, but no Columbus dove on the steering tube 4. Campy drop-outs, chromed up the stays a few inches 5. Excellent lugwork 6. Two small head badge rivet holes, exactly halfway between the head tube ends, about 36.5 apart
The paint was stripped before the gray paint was applied, so other than chrome, there is nothing under the paint. The butcher who did the bottom bracket also hacksawed off the chainstay bridge & drilled through the holes in the bottom bracket sleeve right through the seat & down tubes. Vlad the Impaler also drilled out the chainwheels with a 1/16" bit, easily shaving a magnificent .08 oz off their weight. He might also be responsible for two 1/8" holes on either side of the rear brake mount. The seat post is a Campy record with some grooves milled in- SR, maybe, but I suspect some machinist put grooves on a NR post, as they go right through some of the writing engraved on it. Overall, it looks like somebody with time, a drill, a saw and a criminal disregard for aesthetics & sense went at this bike in the 1970s, put on the lightest components he could find, drilled & hacked at the frame, then put it in a garage until now. There is no rust inside the frame, by the way.
People on this list have far more knowledge than I. Any help you can give me in identifying this poor, abused frame will be deeply appreciated. If more specific measurements or photos would be helpful, let me know. I'd also appreciate any ideas for how to proceed with the reconstructive surgery. Thanks!
Michael Shiffer
EuroMeccanica, Inc.
114 Pearl Street
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
(914) 668-1300
euromeccanicany.com