BUILDING & RIDING THE GIANNI MOTTA

Simply put, I did very little to build, or even prepare, the Gianni Motta for its test ride.  The bicycle, as found, was in an excellent state of mechanical repair.  Aside from a little lubrication to the rear chain and some modern air, to replace that which leaked from the tires twenty years earlier, everything was ready to go.  The bearings felt smooth and grit free.  The brakes cleared the nicely true wheels, all but perfectly.  And the transmission, well it worked just about the way one would expect a Campy Nouvo Record chain jumper to.

The Motta was even pretty clean as found.  I can only assume that the previous owner had taken a moment or two to dust the bicycle off, once he took it down from is basement hanger.  The chain and sprockets could have been a bit cleaner.  Nooks and crannies still showed evidence that the bike had been dirty at one time or another.  But, all in all, and "as found", the Gianni Motta looked pretty good.

Transmissions seem to be dirty on most old bicycles I come across and the Gianni was no exception.  That said, the build up of dirty chain lubricant was not excessive and easy enough to clean off.  Surprisingly enough, the chain was clean and settled for an application of ProLink in preparation for test riding.  And since the chain was getting a lube treat, ProLink found its way into the workings of both front and rear derailleurs.  The drive and shifting systems were ready to go.

There is little sense going, if one cannot stop.  The Modolo Flash brakes, once again sporting a patina of operational grime, were next to be checked.  The pads fell first to basic inspection and required little more than a light sanding, to remove any possible imbedded foreign particles that might otherwise score braking surfaces of the lovely Mavic alloy rims.  The pads, themselves, did show some wear but many miles were left in them.  That said, I did consider changing the Modolo pads out.  In days gone buy, I have experienced problems with them being somewhat noisy.  None the less, the pads were cleaned, left in place and proved to work just fine on test ride day.

And everything else, with the exception of minor saddle adjustments to accommodate a better fit, was left pretty much as found.  One final check and away the Gianni and I went.  The first ride and on a lovely Sunday morning, riding the streets and wonderful bike trails, that lace their way through just about every possible part of Calgary.  The bike trail system, I might add, in amongst the best in North America, or so I have been led to believe.

Though a tad tall for my personal fit, the bicycle proved to be a lovely ride.  Not exceptional, but certainly good enough to be considered above average, when compared to many of the bicycles that I have been lucky enough to own and ride.  The bike felt light and responsive as I followed the bike trail that parallels the Bow River.  Though I never did push the bicycle for top end performance, I did attempt a sprint or two and was satisfactorily impressed.  The bike transferred power well and it felt quick.  Again, I was impressed with the bicycle, even though it did not offer the kind of feel I prefer on some of my other bikes.

In all fairness, the bicycle was a bit too big for me.  With that in mind, and that will always be in my mind, I cannot say that I gave the Gianni Motta a fair chance.  To that, add the fact that I did not ride the bicycle a great deal.  Once satisfied that the bicycle was sound, I put it up for auction, which is another, and disappointing, story all together.

NEXT - SELLING THE GIANNI MOTTA