I’m finally getting around to the Pinarello. This frame was built in 1983, so it’s coming up on a 40-year birthday. Columbus SL tubing and a full Campagnolo Nuovo Record group make it a great example of Italian craftsmanship. I’ve been riding outside a fair amount, and that always spurs interest in completing bike projects. This build is no exception.
Duane at chestercycles.com painted and decalled this frame, and it’s stunning. I had been putting off starting the build because I was hesitant about reinstalling the headbadge and it needs to be done first. It’s held on by two “drive screws” which have very coarse threads and are hammered into a properly-sized hole. There’s no real stress on the screws, they just hold a small headbadge to the headtube. Not wanting to risk denting the headtube and not sure about a good way to prevent that I was hesitant about the job.
I decided to use a deep-well socket that fit nicely into the head tube as an inner support, which, as it turns out, was not needed. I used a small dab of glue under the badge, set the drive screws in place, and tied a strip of cloth around the badge and the headtube to hold it in place while the glue dried. Since that task is now done (whew!), on with the rest of the build.
Waxed the frame and fork. Cleaned the headset cups and the fork crown race. Pressed the cups in, one at a time, and turned the frame upside down in the stand. Added grease and the appropriate number of bearing balls in the lower race, then installed the fork. Next was grease and bearing balls in the upper race. Keyed washer and the top nut completes the fork install. It’s a little rough, the lower cup and the crown race might need to be replaced. I’ll take it apart after a couple of rides and see how it looks on the inside.
Cleaned the bottom bracket bearing cups in preparation for installing the BB. Cleaning up the axle I noticed a badly galled section on one side of the axle. No point to install it, it won’t last long and would make ugly noises while riding. I ordered a Campagnolo cartridge bearing BB to replace it, and I’ll keep my eye open for a replacement axle. I would like to use the original BB if at all possible.
Cleaned the downtube shifter parts in the ultrasonic cleaner and installed them using a thin film of grease, not an excess. No grease on the adjuster threads. The tension adjustment works predictably, hopefully it will hold it’s position while riding.
Went to install the brake calipers, and realized a mistake on my part. The replacement Nuovo Record calipers I purchased are nutted, and the original calipers used recessed nuts. Fortunately, swapping the center bolts took only 10 minutes for both front and rear calipers, and they’re freshly lubed and installed.
I can’t do much more without the BB installed, so I’ll lateral over to filling the seatpost and stem pantographing with paint in the meantime.
Stay tuned for the next instalment…