Re: [CR] Paul Watson's Cinelli early 60's

(Example: Racing:Roger de Vlaeminck)

From: "John Barron" <john@velostuf.com>
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 07:47:59 -0500
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR] Paul Watson's Cinelli early 60's


I bought a 1963 Cinelli SC about a year ago and it had the original paint, but it flaked-off in many areas revealing the original red primer underneath. That's exactly what I see happening on your bike.

Are you 100% sure that your bike has been repainted?

Also, note the headbadge is riveted in place. I have seen this once before on a very old Cinelli Riviera that I had. I am convinced that some Cinellis had their headbadges riveted-on originally (rather than with screws.

John Barron Minneapolis MN USA

Paul Watson wrote:

From: "Paul Watson" <paul@polyweld.com.au> Subject: [CR] Cinelli SC early 60's To: "'classicrendezvous@bikelist.org'" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Message-ID: <dc9acd24.1caebf7.be84571d.3413@polyweld.com.au> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Here are a few pictures of my early 60's Cinelli SC: http://picasaweb.google.com.au/106208012024772307070/CinelliSC

I got it from a Scotsman who bought it from a cycling club friend in Glasgow in 1967. As you can see the frame has been repainted. The white paint was done by Rattrays of Glasgow (home of the Flying Scott) before 1967, and the rust colored paint (under the white) might be the original finish.

The Ron Kit catalogue of the period refers to Mars red as a color option. Mars red is usually a red iron oxide color similar to the red brown paint on my bike, so I wonder if my bike was originally Mars red? I have never seen another Cinelli this color, although I have seen a chromovelo scarlet red finish on some early 60's Cinelli (similar to the Blumels mudguards on my bike).

Notice the lugs are painted, and there is no chrome under the paint. Some people say that team bikes often had painted rather than chromed lugs?

Some of you will notice that the bands are unusual - red/yellow/green, rather than the 5 color world championship bands. There is a reference to 3 color bands in the Ron Kit catalogue, so I'm assuming that is what was available when Rattrays did the repaint (Rattrays were agents for Ron Kit). Maybe they are team colors?

I quite like it the way it is, but I also think about repainting it.

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Paul Watson
Melbourne
Australia