Ciocc restoration project

Click to view other photos

Frame / Size / Year:
ciocc (columbus slx, unsure of precise year and model)

Handlebars / Stem:
cinelli campione, cinelli

Fork / Headset:
stock chrome ciocc fork, campagnolo super record headset

Front Wheel / Hub / Rim / Tire:
wolber profil 20 tubular, hoshi bladed spokes, campagnolo record

Rear Wheel / Hub / Rim / Tire:
wolber profil 20 tubular, hoshi bladed spokes, campagnolo record

Crankset / Bottom Bracket:
campagnolo record strada 175mm

Saddle / Seat Post:
none for now

Pedals / Chain:
none and none for now

Gearing / Chainring / Misc.:
Sachs 7 speed cassette, campagnolo derailleurs, simplex shifters

Notes:

I got this bike for free from a really awesome guy on craigslist. I'm not sure of the exact year or model. Based on the fact there was bondo on a slight crease in the top tube, it's pretty safe to say the red to white gradient paint job wasn't original. The frame is definitely SLX and has internal cable guides for the rear brake, so my guess some where in the late eighties.

The first photo is of this bike in the state I originally received it in. All other photos depict the current state of the frame and fork: post-powder coat, pre-decal application.

The frame had quite a few patches of rust, and the chrome on the seat and chain stays had been destroyed by rust in a number of spots, so I went ahead and powder coated the entire frame with an anthracite sparkle. The sparkle puts of an interesting blue-green hue, and really shines when out in the sun. The fork also had some rust and the chrome had worn away in a number of spots revealing the underlying nickel, but I was able to clean and polish it up enough to satisfy me until I can have it completely re-chromed.

Unfortunately all but one of the races on the headset were shot, so no luck salvaging it. The bottom bracket races have seen better day, but should probably be usable for the time being.

The cranks were dinged up pretty bad, but the spine holes are a-ok. I was able to polish them to a mirror finish, eliminating a lot of blemishes in the process, and masking the rest with a blinding glare :)

The bars are next up for the polishing wheel, and a new wheel set is on the way (not really keen on the tubulars). The current wheels spin true, but I'm unsure of the state of the rear bearing races. If ok, I plan on re-packing them and probably selling them to mitigate the cost of a new wheel set.

If anyone has any clues for determining the precise model and year of this frame, I'm all ears!

More pictures available of each state of the bike at http://techdump.net/photos/ciocc/

* Update - 09/12/2009: Yay, decals! Got some different wheels (Ambrosio 19 Extra, 36h gran sport hubs).

» login or register to post comments

Where did you get it

Submitted by veggie on 07/08/2009.

Where did you get it powdercoated?

» login or register to post comments

precisionpowder.net

Submitted by sfbee on 07/09/2009.

http://precisionpowder.net/

I had initially read about some good reviews about them at bikeforums when googling around for some local powder coaters who have dealt specifically with bikes, but finally decided to go with them based on a referral from the folks at houston bicycle company.

I am really pleased with their work. The guy who does the powder coating obviously pays attention to detail, since he noticed the bondo/crease on the top tube after sand blasting, and called to ask if I wanted to come up and check it out before proceeding the with powder coat.

I'll definitely be bringing them more frames in the future

» login or register to post comments

yup

Submitted by coolcalm on 07/14/2009.

the guys at precisionpowder used to be or are still avid riders. they know what they're doing.

» login or register to post comments

Nice.

Submitted by jet sanchEz on 06/28/2009.

Nice, the powder-coat looks great. I restored a Ciocc as well and found that the Krylon clear-coat that is meant for plastics worked really well to protect the decals. I got some nice yellow decals for my Ciocc and the bike never fails to get compliments when I take it out.

I have another Ciocc that I got for a song, I have to take some decent photos of it one day and post them up to Velospace.

Good luck with it, you seem to really be on the ball with the build so far, what did you clean the fork up with? Oxalic acid?

» login or register to post comments

Thanks

Submitted by sfbee on 06/29/2009.

I used white vinegar and baking soda to get rid of the rust on the fork. It's cheaper, widely available, and works great.

The following how-to outlines the steps for this process:
http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=58409

I plan on having the fork re-chromed, but am satisfied with it's current state until I can shop around for more quotes

» login or register to post comments

Are you going to go all-in*

Submitted by eaglerock on 06/28/2009.

...and do a full decal kit?

I like the blue. My recently-acquired Raleigh International frameset is a slightly greener version of the same idea.

*a poker reference, in keeping with the Ciöcc theme

» login or register to post comments

Yup!

Submitted by sfbee on 06/28/2009.

I ordered a set of the white decals off of ebay, which should hopefully be on the way. Once they're applied, I'm going to clear coat over them, and start building it up.

The powder coat was actually an anthracite/charcoal color, but at the right angle the bike gives off the blue-green sparkle. I took those pictures beneath the sky light in my living room, to capture some of the shine that it puts off.

I've mirror polished the cranks, stem, and bars that came with this bike. When combined with the shine from the paint job, this bike will probably blind folks on sunny rides :)

» login or register to post comments

nice find

Submitted by veggie on 06/17/2009.

nice find

» login or register to post comments

Gosh you beat me to it!

Submitted by kirke on 06/10/2009.

I emailed this person too, but you must have been faster!
Have fun fixing this thing up. If you are interested, I know a guy in town who does decent paint and I know a place to get Ciocc reproduction decals if you want to go that route and do a full restoration. Get in touch if you need any help with this build:
kirkebcampbell@yahoo.com

Later!

» login or register to post comments

Sorry :)

Submitted by sfbee on 06/10/2009.

You've got mail!

I'm very interested in restoring this bike as close to it's original state as possible. I was going to send it to sanner cycles to have it powder coated, but if you know someone in town who specializes in painting bicycles, I'm all ears

I was hoping to keep the original chrome in tact on the chain stays, but rust got to the chrome pretty good in a few spots, so that may not be an option (200 for re-chroming the chain stays alone). I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure the seat stays are chrome under the paint as well.

The fork isn't perfect either, but I've managed to eliminate a good deal of rust from it tonight. I've been going over it with nevrdull, which has proven to be quite tedious. If anyone knows of a more efficient means of removing heavy rust from chrome, I'd definitely like to know :)

» login or register to post comments

gorgeous.

Submitted by Aaron C on 06/10/2009.

i am jealous but very happy for you. you must have been banking a ton of good karma

» login or register to post comments

Online:

Ciocc restoration project