Identify a classic road bike frame that was originally purchased in Colombia during the 1970s

[javel]

Hi everyone,


I’m trying to identify a classic road bike frame that was originally purchased in Colombia during the 1970s. It has been repainted multiple times, but I’ve preserved many key clues that might help identify its origin:

• Serial number under the bottom bracket is 72-72, possibly indicating a 1972 build.
• Lugs are ornate, Cinelli-style or similar, with stylized cutouts.
• The frame has Campagnolo rear dropouts and mostly Campagnolo components.
• The freewheel is a 5-speed Regina Extra.
• The handlebar is Cinelli.
• It was originally painted silver-grey with chromed lugs, and had a riveted head badge (currently replaced with a Campagnolo badge).
• Brakes are now Shimano Dura-Ace, possibly added later.

I’m attaching several pictures showing lugs, dropouts, and other frame details.


I’ve ruled out De Rosa (no heart cutouts or BB dot), but I suspect it might be a high-end Italian artisan frame from the early 70s.


Any thoughts or identification help would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks in advance!

 

[pigman]

First questions relate to threadings.
Bottom bracket threads - English, Italian or French?
Headset thread - same question?

 

[javel]

First questions relate to threadings.
Bottom bracket threads - English, Italian or French?
Headset thread - same question?

In this frame, the threads are Italian, both for the bottom bracket and the headset.

 

[juvela]

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Hello javel and thank you for sharing this interesting find with the forum.

See nothing in the details of construction to suggest Italy.

There have been Italian dimension cycles produced in Belgium, Mexico, Texas and California. Among South American producers the standard employed tends to very with the particular maker rather than the use of a national standard so one can find machines produced to differing standard within one country.

There are high quality frames produced in Columbia.

Lug pattern employed resembles closely patterns produced by both BOCAMA and NERVEX but am finding no exact match in my archived catalogue materials. One possibility might be a pattern discontinued prior to the publication of the catalogues I have here. Or if cycle produced in latin america it might be a pattern produced there.

From what can be seen of crown in images posted it appears it may be a Vagner pattern such as the PL or PC



frame definitely "production" as opposed to "artisan."

note the domed simple stay ends. this is the easiest, fastest and lowest cost way of doing them as opposed to a "fishmouth" treatment for example.

note the stamped sheet seat binder ears showing some deformation from the binder bolt. if an artisan builder were to construct a frame with a lug of this type they would add additional material to the inside of the ears to reinforce them against deformation from the tightening of the seat binder bolt.

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the cycle's adjustable bottom bracket cup is showing about three exposed threads. this could mean that a spindle intended for a 70mm shell has been used in a 68mm shell or it could mean that the individual pieces of the bottom bracket assembly comprise a mixed set not designed to work together.

---


one of the enjoyable things to see here is that the frame has not been subjected to "braze-on madness" and has retained its original appearance save for the modification to accept incasso brake caliper mount.


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[non-fixie]

The BB shell seems to say 72°-72°, which I would assume the be the seat tube and head tube angle.

Just a guess: 2F10 might be a serial number "Asian style" for a year ending in 2, in which case the F could be a week indicator, given that only two digits follow. And even then that would mean a production of less than a hundred frames per week.

 

[javel]

-----

Hello javel and thank you for sharing this interesting find with the forum.

See nothing in the details of construction to suggest Italy.

There have been Italian dimension cycles produced in Belgium, Mexico, Texas and California. Among South American producers the standard employed tends to very with the particular maker rather than the use of a national standard so one can find machines produced to differing standard within one country.

There are high quality frames produced in Columbia.

Lug pattern employed resembles closely patterns produced by both BOCAMA and NERVEX but am finding no exact match in my archived catalogue materials. One possibility might be a pattern discontinued prior to the publication of the catalogues I have here. Or if cycle produced in latin america it might be a pattern produced there.

From what can be seen of crown in images posted it appears it may be a Vagner pattern such as the PL or PC

View attachment 961742

frame definitely "production" as opposed to "artisan."

note the domed simple stay ends. this is the easiest, fastest and lowest cost way of doing them as opposed to a "fishmouth" treatment for example.

note the stamped sheet seat binder ears showing some deformation from the binder bolt. if an artisan builder were to construct a frame with a lug of this type they would add additional material to the inside of the ears to reinforce them against deformation from the tightening of the seat binder bolt.

---


the cycle's adjustable bottom bracket cup is showing about three exposed threads. this could mean that a spindle intended for a 70mm shell has been used in a 68mm shell or it could mean that the individual pieces of the bottom bracket assembly comprise a mixed set not designed to work together.

---


one of the enjoyable things to see here is that the frame has not been subjected to "braze-on madness" and has retained its original appearance save for the modification to accept incasso brake caliper mount.


-----

Thank you very much for such an excellent explanation; I really appreciate it. With this information, I'll be able to better understand the restoration I'm working on.

 

[javel]

The BB shell seems to say 72°-72°, which I would assume the be the seat tube and head tube angle.

Just a guess: 2F10 might be a serial number "Asian style" for a year ending in 2, in which case the F could be a week indicator, given that only two digits follow. And even then that would mean a production of less than a hundred frames per week.

I'm surprised; I wasn't familiar with that kind of nomenclature. Thank you very much.