Our three Italian "B"s...

that's "B" as in beauties, not the other "B". If you have been following, I have been rebuilding a 1970s Bottecchia since July, and it has finally been completed. It joins my Basso (early 90s) and my wife's Bianchi (80s?) as new elder statesman of the trio (and stable, for that matter). I rode it up and down the street, but wasn't able to really give it a proper test. Never-the-less some things were clear. It is certainly different. Much heavier than anything else I ride for one thing. It is also slower and less nimble. I am also going to have to reacquaint myself with downtube shifters and toe clips, neither of which I have used since the early 90s (late 80s for the toe clips).

I was not able to build it out quite as I wanted, Nuovo Record where ever possible, and ended up simply cleaning and reinstalling some of the original components. But I may keep looking, and maybe some day it will be all Campy. Until then I am satisfied, and will bring it out for local vintage rides.

Final tally:

1970s Bottecchia frame
DEA rims with Normandy high-flange hubs (original when bought)
Nervor Sport cranks and chainrings (original)
Campagnolo Nuovo Record pedals
Ale toe clips with Christophe straps
Dia Compe brakes (original)
Nuovo Record brake levers with Cane Creek hoods
Cinelli bar and stem
headset is unidentified
SR Laprade seatpost
leather saddle is new, make not known
Panaracer tires
Serfas bar wrap

Bottecchia rebuild part 7...

Got some pedals today, Campagnolo, with Ale toe clips. Thanks again to Dale at the Velo for parting with them. I will break them down, re-lube the bearings, and polish them up. Then they will be right at home on the Bott. Before Cinelli and Campagnolo got into the toe clip game, Ale was the largest producer of toe clips in Italy.

Are these rainy days not great for a classic and vintage rebuild project?

Bottecchia rebuild, part 6: update...

It has been at least a little while since the last update, so; cable has been installed between shifters and deuralieurs, and is working well, on the workstand at the least. Although nothing can replace a ride on the road as a true test, that will have to wait as my nearest LBS did not have any 27" tires in stock when I dropped by today. Brakes still need to be connected, and I am waiting for hoods before doing that. Pedals are the main part lacking now. I have a temporary leather saddle which will work, though it is new, and I will continue to look for one more appropriate to the years of the bike. Anyway I am liking the way things are shaping up, and am hoping that the next update post will see it complete. Arrivederci for now.

Bottecchia rebuild, part 5: more parts...

Big thanks to Dale at the Velo for agreeing to sell some of the parts I needed for the rebuild effort. Saves me time having to search and bid on them elsewhere. Today I was able to pick up Cinelli stem and bars, Campag brake levers (minus hoods), and Campag rear derailleur. I put some Cinelli bar tape on, and only then realized I might need to adjust the levers; I kept the old blue tape on underneath, just for history's sake.

Bottecchia rebuild, part 4: progress...

is slow, and made slower by all the nicks and scratches in the paint I keep dwelling on. To repaint, or not to repaint, that is the question right now. It would mean a trip to the O.C. since that is where the powder-coat place that everyone swears by is located. And there is no point in continuing to install components until I decide. Never-the-less, here is how it looks so far, with parts going on, rather than coming off:

New/old Campy for the new/old Bottecchia...

Two pleasant surprises waiting for me when I got home tonight. Beautiful condition, both of them, and their arrival is just in time for the weekend.

Bottecchia rebuild, part 3: last of the cleaning and a query...

Finished cleaning the last of the Bottecchia's components, those that I intend to keep (at least for the time being). Crank arms, chainrings and bolts, and the bottom bracket (not shown) cups, bearings and the spindle, and finally, the fork and crown, with stickers from King's Bike Shop (Long Beach).

And now the query; does anyone know anything about DEA 'Super Chrome' rims. These are what came with the bike. I know they were made in France, and came in either steel or alloy, the alloy ones being a step up, though I am doubtful they were used on racing frames. These are 27 x 1.25", have a dimpled braking surface, and were built with Normandy high flange hubs (as noted earlier). These rims seem to have been quite common on mid-range and maybe lower models during the 1970s; Peugeot and Motobecane used them on some of their models. Anyway, if you know anything about this manufacturer and would like to share it would be appreciated. Any little bit of information, however insignificant it might seem, adds to the greater knowledge.

Bottecchia rebuild, part 2: More cleaning, a minor surprise, and a curiosity...

Have removed the rust from most of the parts now, just the crank arms to go. The lugs look nice and shiny, but have a black discoloration in areas. Maybe I need to find a polish to take care of it. The Zeus cable guide turned out really well, as did the rear brake housing clips along the top tube. Two of these are Giorgia, while the third is DiaComp. Two wow's and one meh. Not sure what the symbol is on the Giorgia two, a dragon or horse flying a banner would be my guess. I am a bit curious as to why they are even on the bike, since the underside of the top tube does have what I assume are braze on cable guides, located both front and back. The more I look at the frame all cleaned up now, the more consideration I give to repainting it, but am hesitant over the extra cost.

Bottecchia rebuild, part 1...

Now back from my week out of town and I could not wait to get on with the rebuild. Step one, disassembling, came easily enough. I removed all components in order to make attacking the rust on the frame easier, as well as cleaning up any of the components I intend to keep. Might as well start at the front and work my way back, as good a plan as any I suppose, so off came the fork and headset. These had a ton of old lube on them which had become sticky with age. A little citrus degreaser took care of the problem, and shined the headset up like new. There are no identifying marks on the headset so I do not know who the manufacturer is, but since it cleaned up so well and there are no pits in the races I might as well keep it for the time being. It has been more than a few years since I last had to deal with loose bearings and their cages; one bearing got away from me and I had to spend several frantic minutes on hands and knees searching the garage floor for it. All's well that ends well, and here are a few pics as proof:

Next step, remove rust from the lugs around the headtube.