(Colnago Master: Help, please!) Problem solved!?

[olzu]

Model: Colnago Master
Year: 1st generation 1984 to 1988

1st clue: the seat-stays have "COLNAGO" logo at the seat-post cluster. From 1989/1990, Colnago changed to a "clover" logo.

2nd clue: the bottom bracket is the early generation with "clover" cut-out.

3rd clue: the top-tube brake cable mount is of earliest generation. In 1988, Colnago introduced both external cable model "Master" and internal cable Master model "MasterPiu".

4th clue: Downtube, toptube and seattube all have similar profiled Gilco design -tubes.

5th clue: Front lug should have clover -logo and Colnago text

Here is example other Colnago profiled tube, what is not a Master.

Thanks a lot, shamus, for your answer.

All those clues mentioned above can be found in my bike. Except the seattube is round - not with similar profile as downtube and toptube.

I think you are right - my Master must represent the first generation. Perhaps year 1984? I found this (attached) photo of 1984 Master. It is almost like my bike. I think only the chromed lugs - instead of painted ones of my bike - and the decals are different. Because of repainting - as you suggested - perhaps?

Still, its quite hard to believe that it would be repainted. The paint looks so good and original - even all those curved logos and Colnago texts painted white look so neat. If you do the repainting so well and get new decals why to overpaint beautiful chromed lugs?

I don´t know if it´s possible that there are two different versions of lugs made by manufacturer: the chromed and the painted ones?

 

[olzu]

Re: Colnago Master: Help, please!

I recently bought this Colnago Master - so my long-term dream of an italian road bike came true. Seller of the bike told me that it´s from mid 1990´s. I would like to know the exact year. I´ve tried to find shots of similar bike on the net but I haven´t found any. Further information of Colnago Masters in general is also welcome. Thanks a lot in advance!

I recently recieved an e-mail – concerning my Colnago problem – with very believable explanation:

My bike is not Colnago Master from 1990´s or 1980´s.
It is repainted Colnago Mexico from mid 1980´s with Master decals

Why mid 80´s Mexico instead of 80´s Master? Main reasons are:

- The profile of tubes is not "square" like Master´s but "indented" like Mexico´s. (I misunderstood the profile question when it was asked, sorry)

- Master has chromed lugs with different shape. Photos of mid 80´s Mexicos seem to have similar painted lugs to my bike.

I just can´t understand why to add wrong decals after repainting...
And why not to repaint in original color (I quess the color can´t be original Mexico color)?

I´m happy that my bike is much older than I expected.
And I´m a bit disappointed because the frame is not "original".
I´dont know if I´ll ever repaint it in Mexico style with Mexico decals because the bike has many non-original components. At least I´ll remove the "Master" decal – and just ride&enjoy...

Thanks a lot all members – and non-members – who answered and tried to solve my problem. I really appreciate your help!

If someone disagree that the bike is mid 1980´s Mexico, let me know.
And I still don´t know the exact year of the frame. So, help is still needed...

 

[lelobysfoot]

Master

I think the last answer is probably the most plausible. The only thing stoppping it from standing out as a Mexico frame is the paintjob/transfers.

The paint looks a bit thick round the head tube lugs and this is not indicative of Colnago finishes. Also, as you say - why would someone paint over chrome lugs? My guess is that they were never chrome to start with. And the decals are maybe just a vain attempt at 'upgrading' the frame. I remember folk sticking these on their old Raleighs back in the 80's - the Master was and still is THE frame to have.

I bet its a beaut to ride. You can get the original decals from this guy:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Colnago-Mexic...Z7295QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

If you find it is a Master, he has the decals too, the ones hes selling as '80s' are exactly like the Master in the last pic posted.

Having said all this, I could be totally wrong and it is an early Master with basic decals, no chrome and an unusual colour scheme, this of course would make it even rarer!!