BUILDING THE TOMMASINI PRESTIGE

More often than not, I am excited to get to know a vintage road bicycle.  This usually means look it over very carefully, tune it up and go over the entire bicycle to ensure that it is safe to ride.  This initial preparation can also include lubricating any bearings that feel dry or rough.  With those concerns addressed, I test ride the bike checking for a number of different things that will either point to keeping the bike or passing it on to a home where it would be more appreciated.  And the unveiling of the Tommasini was quickly followed by this simple but generally followed "getting to know the bike" procedure.

My son and I pulled the Prestige from the cardboard box that the bicycle had been shipped to me in.  I might add that the bicycle was well packed and a credit to Josh for doing such a thorough job of packing.  After all, this was his first attempt to pack up a vintage racing bicycle.  At any rate, the bike was set up in the work stand and given a complete and thorough inspection.  Some irregularities presented themselves which I felt compelled to address immediately.

The wheels were the first thing to be swapped out.  The "as found" mismatched set proved to be of little interest to me.  Additionally, I know that even a great bike's feel will be diminished by a poor set of wheels.  With that in mind, I went to The Old Shed and asked that ancient structure to cough up some of its treasures.  And so it did, producing a lovely set of Super Record hubs laced to period correct Wolber Aero rims.  I had built up the wheels previously, expecting to install them on a very early eighties Proctor, but decided against it, for some reason or other, that escapes me at the moment.  None the less, the wheel set was in excellent condition and ready to drop into the drops.  The Old Shed released its grip, on a set of mismatched tires, and that about took care of the running gear, for the time being.

The Tommasini was fitted with the Turbo saddle that was most likely issued with the bicycle.  Though a bit scuffed up, the butt perch was in serviceable condition.  Other that a bit of tilt and height adjustment, little attention would be paid to the well used unit.  I might add, that I had experienced the comfort, offered by Turbo saddles before, and though this one to be a good choice, for the bicycle.  The Campy SR seat post was in good condition, sporting only faint insertion marks.  It too would remain installed for test riding purposes.

Campagnolo Super Record brakes, were to handle the stopping chores and that would be just fine with me, even though the hoods fitted were incorrect and, being from a later grouppo, did not fit the brake levers well at all.  However, the levers and near perfect brake callipers would prove to be just fine for test build riding purposes.  That left the steering stem and handlebars, both Cinelli units, and both in great shape.  No need to change either of those components, for the initial testing of the bicycle.  Even the bar tape was adequate for the Tommasini's first time out.

The headset and bottom bracket, both Super Record offerings, turned smoothly and showed evidence of, fairly fresh, grease.  With this in mind, neither was opened up for inspection or maintenance.  Their condition would more than support a few test rides, as would the wheel bearings which had already been rebuilt.

And, that about took care of the Tommasini build.  One last inspection, followed by the installation of my own pedals, and the bike was set to go.  My son jumped on my Proctor-Townsend and we all headed out, for a spin around the trails, that cut through the city of Thunder Bay.  And what a great day it was.

NEXT - RIDING THE TOMMASINI PRESTIGE