Chesini Precision Mod '83 Build

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  • 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.

    ===================

    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!)

    =================

    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

  • This frame looks seriously hot. Love the condition.

  • One issue is the state of the forks. When I bought the frame the seller told me of a slight irregularity in the crown where the race sits. The photos aren't great but you may can just make out there is a lip on one side, which the seller suggested may cause a slightly uneven or off-centred ride. He suggested getting the fork on a lathe to even it out, either by adding a bit of extra material to one side with a welder and re-forming it, or trying to file it. Its quite minor though so I don't know if this is a problem? I'm going to take it into my LBS at the weekend but would like to know what you guys think?

    Cheers

  • If the steerer tube is straight with regards to the fork, that uneven piece shouldn't matter. Just looks like poor machining or something. My guess is it will be behind/ inside/ not interfering with the headset.

  • I think this'll be ace!

    When I modernised my Ron Cooper (not an Italian frame, but classic Columbus SL) I persevered with the old Cinelli cockpit (1A/Campione Del Mondo) for a while, but eventually decided that comfort had to win out over keeping everything Italian, and swapped to Nitto (Dynamic/M106) to take advantage of compact bars. Cinelli just don't offer the right choice of bar shape for me, but I guess that's a very individual thing. And aesthetically it still works; everything silver, classic quill stem, etc.

  • Yeah I agree about the aesthetic - the Nitto bars and stem just seem to have a little more complementary class to them than the cinelli equivalent...

    I just got the hubs in the post - they're NOS Athena 32h 9 speed hubs from the 90's I think, Anyone had any experience with these? I can't find much about them online... :S

    Ideally I would have taken the record hubs in silver finish but they are BARE dorrah!

  • This is going to be one classy little lady.
    .......Ticks 'Follow'

    I'm going Noodles on my Mercian Tourer to accompany the Dynamic stem, and reading this makes me realise I should finish the trio and get the SP too, although 'tis tres expensive!

  • Test prints came back today, but they printed them at 103% or something, so they don't fit. Rubbish


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  • Anyway, here's a few pics of the frame - she's a real beaut


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    • a few more

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  • SO many lovely details on that frame: engraved HT badge? SWOON

    Colnago, Pinarello etc get all the attention, but so-called second tier builders like Chesini have turned out some real jaw-droppers.

    Wasn't Athena only UT for 2010? Didn't know you could get components on CTW: would you be able to find some NOS cranks and stick them on the scheme?

    Anyway, I like your style!

  • This looks great! Will follow progress with interest.

  • how's this beast coming along?

  • I want news too! I remember getting all excited about this 3D printing stainless stuff a year ago. It's happening again.

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Chesini Precision Mod '83 Build

Posted by Avatar for Sash2208 @Sash2208

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