Is this what we dream of seeing in a secondhand shop?

[Spadger]

Good for you - that's a superb buy.

Your old bike doesn't look half bad y'know - I've ridden a lot worse (cosmetically) - A strip-down a rebuild would only take an afternoon and it'll be lovely to ride again.

Enjoy!

Unfortunately it will need a bit more work than that, the spokes are almost rusted though, I don't think the wheels would take my weight, and I wouldn't dare risk ruining those beautiful Fiamme rims, so I think a full rebuild is required....but it will be a labour of love.

 

[Spadger]

Re:

Well it has taken a few weeks and a lot of scouting around for parts but finally the 53 Cinelli is ready to ride.

I used as many of the 50's parts that I could but I had to make compromises depending on what was available but I think I have captured the spirit of the bike quite well.

The paint design is the same as it was when I first got the bike in the early sixties, the ghost of the bands on the seat tube could still be seen, so I copied them exactly.

Comparison shot.

 

[S1m0nR]

Congratulations Spadge, that is a beauty! Did you do the frame re-finishing yourself? Looks like a very tidy job particularly the lugs and fork/stay ends.

You were concerned about damaging the rims so I'm guessing the wheels have been rebuilt using the original rims/hubs.

Anyway, hopefully the weather will improve a bit soon and you can get out and enjoy it.

Thanks for posting the picture - feel free to post a whole load more

 

[Spadger]

Did you do the frame re-finishing yourself? I'm guessing the wheels have been rebuilt using the original rims/hubs

Yes I did all the work myself, including all the brazing and welding (all the gear cable eyes were missing also the gear hanger lug had been hack-sawed off)

I made all the eyes on my lathe, The hanger lug was taken from an old frame with simplex drop-outs so it was correct for the Cinelli's drop-outs. I also made new brake spindles from stainless steel as the old ones were not servicable, and also a new stainless seatpin clamp bolt.

The wheels are Rigida Rush rims on Pelissier hubs which came from a boot sale, I am waiting for new spokes to arrive so that I can have a go at rebuilding the old wheels (Fiamme rims on F.B. hubs, cones on the front hub date-stamped 1949)

 

[COUPES]

Re:

Lovely Cinelli Spadger!

 

[S1m0nR]

Yes I did all the work myself, including all the brazing and welding (all the gear cable eyes were missing also the gear hanger lug had been hack-sawed off)

In that case if I had a hat on, I'd take it off to you! Absolutely first class job.

 

[Spadger]

Re:

This is what the frame looked like after the stripping and welding was completed, you can clearly see the ghost of the banding on the seat tube.

Interesting dragonfly logo on the chain-stays I have read about this mark, but no-one seems to know what it means.

 

[Cefnbikie]

That is a lovely job that you have done, with a great colour scheme and components. Your build is inspiring me to continue with the rebuild of my Harrison, which I have had since the mid-60s. It would be great to see some more pics of your bike.

 

[Spadger]

Re:

I have now discovered that the dragonfly logo on the chain-stays is the trademark of "Libellula" (italian for dragonfly) tubing manufactured by Castello Mario & Figlio of Torino, Italy during the 1950s.

 

[Spadger]

Re:

I have just finished rebuilding the original wheels, my first attempt at wheelbuilding.