Chesini Precision Mod '83 Build

I've been trawling the internet for some time looking for the perfect frame to start a new project, and my prayers were answered when I came across this beautiful white Chesini on Ebay for a good price. Untouched for longer than I've been alive, the frame is in mint condition as if it just came out of the factory in Verona yesterday.

Its been sitting in my house now for almost three months while I've been deciding what to do with it, and I think I'm finally ready to commit to the components I need to get it built.

The danger is the spiralling of costs as they struggle to match the fantasy thats played out on a daily basis in your head. I definitely can't afford top drawer for this one off the bat, however the Cycle To Work scheme now provides a tantalising opportunity to buy parts as opposed to bikes, which is what I intend to do here.

Although this frame is a classic Italian frame and quite rightly commands the appropriate set up of its time, I'm not one for an overriding sense of nostalgia. I prefer to use its heritage as a guide, setting a precedent for a more contemporary set up that will bring it from the past and into the present day of modern road rides.

The set up I plan to be as follows:

Group:
Campagnolo Athena silver 11 speed double Groupset
Campagnolo Ultra Torque Outboard Cups (Italian)
Silver skeleton breaks (front and rear)
11 speed chorus cassette 12-27
11 speed chorus chain
Athena Silver Ultra Torque 11 Speed Chainset Compact 172.5 34/50
Athena Silver 11 Speed Double Front Derailleur STD/CT Braze-on
Athena Silver 11 Speed Rear Derailleur
Powershift Ergopowers Double Athena Allay Silver 11spd with cables
Record 1inch Threaded Headset

Wheels:
H+SON TB14 Rims
Campagnolo Athena hubs 32h front/rear
Sapim laser/race spokes
Vittoria Corsa SC Open Clincher Road Tyre x 2

Finishing Kit:
Nitto Noodle Handlebar 177 46cm
Nitto Pearl Quill Stem NP100
Nitto S65 Seatpost (silver finish)
Brooks Cambium C15 saddle (natural finish)
Cinelli Imperial Leather Bar Tape (to match saddle finish)

At the moment unsure about the Nitto cockpit as it may be a step too far away from the Italian ensemble, so I'm considering changing up to the Cinelli Quill stem / Cinelli Giro D'Italia 64 Alloy Handlebar / SP-87 Aero Seat Post as an alternative.

I reckon I can get everything excluding the wheels on Cyclescheme - which effectively means £1,000 worth of kit for roughly 2/3 of the price.

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3D printed component

One sticking point in this build is the braze-on mount for the down tube shifters. I have ridden downtube shifters on my (now stolen) old Trek road bike, and its definitely time for a change. Converters are available, but after weeks of searching I haven't been able to find any that will work on the highly unusual top mounted braze-on for this frame. I have since given up searching and am going to make one instead.

I've designed a bespoke fitting that will allow the gear cable to pass through the braze-on and continue in a forward direction towards the handlebar, all the while acting like a down-tube converter or barrel adjuster keeping tension in the cable to use STI shifters.

The design for this component is a work in progress - you can see screen grabs from the 3D model below. Tomorrow I am getting back the 3D test prints in plaster which will hopefully fit OK to the frame. Once I'm happy with them I'll get them printed in stainless steel and they'll be good to go (hopefully!)

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So in short, I'm getting ready to build the bike of my dreams, which I think will have the right balance of classic Italian heritage and modern set-up.

I would really appreciate opinions and suggestions about components or set ups that may work better. I would love to hear what you have to say.

I will post pictures of developments as and when they come along.

Thanks very much!

Sash