|
|
FINDING THE PINARELLO TREVISIO
 The first really nice bicycle, that I built up, was an eighties something
Francesco Moser. That beautiful old
Italian mount was acquired, as a NOS frame set, from the same fellow, I bought my Pinarello Trevisio from. Only, this time,
I was granted the opportunity to view the Pinarello, before purchasing it.
Not only that, but I was offered an opportunity, to visit the CCM bicycle collector's collection
of great vintage bicycles, housed in the Regina Museum of Sport. It all began, a few days after
walking away, from my thirty plus year career as an Industrial Millwright...
A few days after retiring from work, my wife
and I decided to take a trip. We would head for Western Canada, to visit
friends and loved ones. On that journey, I would be taking the time to
deliver a couple of vintage bicycles - a
CCM Massey and a second
CCM Cleveland - to the fellow who collects CCM bicycles.
Though, he and I had never previously hooked up in person, we had traded items,
on more than one occasion. In addition to the gorgeous Francesco Moser
frame set he had sent me, he also supplied a
NOS mid eighties Bianchi Trofeo. I
welcomed the opportunity to meet Fred, the CCM collector, and owner of one of the
oldest bicycle shops in Canada. I also looked forward to viewing Fred's
collection of CCM
bicycles.
I should add, that another dear friend, who passed away many years ago, is also
honoured in the wonderful facility.
 When
visiting Fred's bicycle shop, I was
invited into the back storage area. As we stepped, from the show room
glitter, into the storage tatter, I noticed a bright red Pinarello, leaning
against the wall. The bike looked pretty good. I jokingly offered to
purchase it, knowing that the price would be out of reach. As it turned
out, the price was
well with-in reach and I immediately bought the bicycle. However, my friend did warn
me that the bicycle had chain issues, adding also that a good part of the
Pinarello's
history included racing.
 At
any rate, Fred and I agreed on a price. I
asked if I could pick the bicycle up, on my return journey. My wife and I were
still heading west and would be returning in a month's time, assuming of
course that we felt like it. Fred offered to ship the
Trevisio to my place and that was that. I thanked him for and accepted
his offer. A month later, when my wife and I returned to Thunder Bay, the
Pinarello was in the back porch, nicely boxed up and waiting for me. It
would, however, be a day or so, before I really had time to do anything with the
bicycle. I still had twelve, recently purchased vintage road bicycles in
the back of my truck. And, they had all been disassembled, in preparation
for travel. I had to put everything back together, before I could fool
around with a bicycle that I had purchased for myself. And, I had bought
the Trevisio for me, as a bit of a retirement gift.
  When the time came to get at the Pinarello, I pulled it out
of the cardboard shipping container. After quickly assembling the bicycle,
I took some time to look it over carefully in the sunlight. I have worked on a good
many very high end vintage bicycles, in the past few years, but not one is the
equal of
 the Pinarello, when
craftsmanship is considered. The frame set is
a mixture of interesting eye candy, coupled with exceptionally clean assembly.
The most impressive, in my mind, being the presentation of the Campagnolo rear drops.
It takes skill, coupled with care to achieve such a clean installation. Neat, clean and very well done.
At this point, in my vintage bicycle collecting/riding career, I compare the
quality all
other bicycles, to the Pinarello. And, none can compare! Not even a
slightly newer Trevisio, that I had come across a year or so earlier.
  Everywhere the eyes fall, detail
of craftsmanship quality, presents itself. The
fork crowns, set stays, lugs, seat stay brace and even the braze-on derailleur
mount, are pantographed, with the pantographed areas filled with white paint.
The effect is certainly pleasing. There is not one file mark. Not
one brazing, or silver solder, gap. Not even a crooked decal. Not
one assembly mistake, that I noticed, anywhere! And to compliment the
incredibly clean assembly, the paint finish is superb. Smooth, shiny and
still bright, showing absolutely no evidence of fading. For the paint to
look so good, after fifteen years in the field, the
 paint
must also be a quality
 product. This beautiful old Italian bicycle
personifies the concept of quality, in the high end road bicycle. I would love
to get my hands on one of Pinarello's top of the line rides. And, someday,
I probably will - if I live long enough:-)
The paint and art, covering the Columbus SL tubing, had been
challenged with use and the passing of time. However, paint chips and
scratches
aside, the
Pinarello was still very presentable. I did toy with the idea of a full paint job,
coupled with an
after market decal set, but decided against it. Besides, once I had
cleaned the bicycle up, the Pinarello looked a great deal better, than it had
when I first saw it, collecting dust, in the back of the bike shop.
  The brake set, once again a Campagnolo offering, is among
the best I have been fortunate enough to use. I call this style of brake
calliper "Light Action" because they respond so well, to so little hand
pressure. Pull lightly and stop quickly. A pretty good combination
for a brake set, in my humble opinion. Of course, Pinarello did not just
go with an ordinary brake system installation. The rear brake cable is
cleanly routed through the top tube. Once again this, little attention to
detail, adds considerably to the quality like nature of this beautiful old
bicycle.
For me, part of the Pinarello's character comes from its rich and bright
color. I like brightly coloured bicycles. They look good to me and
are easier for drivers to see, when in traffic. And, being seen is a very important
part of safety when riding the street.
NEXT - BUILDING THE PINARELLO
TREVISIO
|
|
