Hello All,
I guess a few introductions are in order as this is my first post and am new meat to the forums. I am an avid rider of both Road and MTB bikes. I have a preference to older steel road bikes from the 80s and 90s. I currently ride a 83 Motobecane Super Mirage which i have owned since 84. its on it second top to bottom overhaul and sill rides and looks great. I get paid to ride at work due to the fact that i am assigned as a bicycle patrol officer in the DC area. I decided to start on a new project that I scored? recently (Greg Lemond "Maillot Jaune"). I do have a few questions about its origin and history and figured I would turn to some people with some real knowledge and connections in the cycle world. I have posted links to several pic below. I am rather sure it is a Billato made frame due to the fact the brake bridge is stamped with handmade on the topside and SILVA underneath. The frame is all steel of an unknown type as there are no decals as to the type of tubes used. All decals are under the clear coat and it seems that it was painted by "Rainbow Cycle Craft" in Colorado. There is no Ten Speed Drive Imports sticker at all so i am guessing it is before or after TSD. I can find no serial number stamed on the BB shell other than a lone # 1 stamped before painting. The paint scheme seems similar to the old GAN team bikes but the decals look different. The rear drop (Campy) spacing is 126mm as I measure. The top tube does have a braze on numbers hanger toward the head tube. overall its in great shape and should make a nice ride. I don't really care what its worth I just want to learn more about it and get started on building it. All I know about the origin of this frame is that it came out of a yard sale in AZ and sat in a box for ten years and was sold by the owners wife after he passed away. Thanks in advance for any Info.[/img]
I guess a few introductions are in order as this is my first post and am new meat to the forums. I am an avid rider of both Road and MTB bikes. I have a preference to older steel road bikes from the 80s and 90s. I currently ride a 83 Motobecane Super Mirage which i have owned since 84. its on it second top to bottom overhaul and sill rides and looks great. I get paid to ride at work due to the fact that i am assigned as a bicycle patrol officer in the DC area. I decided to start on a new project that I scored? recently (Greg Lemond "Maillot Jaune"). I do have a few questions about its origin and history and figured I would turn to some people with some real knowledge and connections in the cycle world. I have posted links to several pic below. I am rather sure it is a Billato made frame due to the fact the brake bridge is stamped with handmade on the topside and SILVA underneath. The frame is all steel of an unknown type as there are no decals as to the type of tubes used. All decals are under the clear coat and it seems that it was painted by "Rainbow Cycle Craft" in Colorado. There is no Ten Speed Drive Imports sticker at all so i am guessing it is before or after TSD. I can find no serial number stamed on the BB shell other than a lone # 1 stamped before painting. The paint scheme seems similar to the old GAN team bikes but the decals look different. The rear drop (Campy) spacing is 126mm as I measure. The top tube does have a braze on numbers hanger toward the head tube. overall its in great shape and should make a nice ride. I don't really care what its worth I just want to learn more about it and get started on building it. All I know about the origin of this frame is that it came out of a yard sale in AZ and sat in a box for ten years and was sold by the owners wife after he passed away. Thanks in advance for any Info.[/img]
welcome though!
