Fondriest Freebie - Columbus EL, full Dura Ace etc

I was fortunate (and quick enough to respond to the FB ad) to bag this a couple of weeks ago. Couldn't believe my eyes when the previous owner wheeled it out!

It had been sat in his garage for around 10 years, he'd had it recommissioned by a LBS (after being given it) and used a handful of times.

Here's how it come to me, as you can see it was a bit tired looking but all there

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My plan was to strip down, clean up and rebuild, and, pluck up the courage to ride it with its existing gearing!

The only snag I hit was a seized stem. Not the end of the world and easily resolved with an afternoon of caustic soda and water...

Here's the remnants of the 'shaft' that was stuck in the steerer once it came free.

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Then I could get on with the clean up!

The chrome plating on the frame a d fork had a fair amount of light surface rust which lifted off with a finger nail and some brasso - I think I got it just in time before any serious oxidisation could set in.

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Once the frame was back together it was just the matter of cleaning up the group set, which was already in decent condition to begin with.

Fitted the cables and chain last night as well, with just bar tape and tyres next on the list to fit...hopefully a job for the long weekend!

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wow! u lucky! :)

Great styling on the Pavoni

Very nice! Ambitious gearing hvr

Wow. So nice.

Nice. Not sure if you’ve tried, but tinfoil scrunched up and water are also excellent at removing rust spots - the foil is harder than rust but softer than chrome

Yes, have used that before on heavier pitting. Mixing it with coca cola instead of water helps too! It would've definitely been a waste of cola on this one, though as it was ever so lightly pitted!

Tyres arrived yesterday. Hopefully get round to fitting them over the weekend. May give the shifters a rise with wd40 and relube as they don't feel as free as they ought to, common with these shifters/this era I think!

Awesome bike and good to see you get the full potential of it

Doesn't look particularly different, but new tyres fitted (same tyres as previous pics but these ones actually fit!), new chain removed, degreased of its factory grease and freshly waxed, saddle changed for a Rolls and headset adjusted.

Just need bar tape!

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Classic DA set, have them on my KG196. Kudos on the period correct groupset.

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I very much approve of your project. Will you be on the lookout for a DA seatpost?

Already have it on the look, as well as the look ergo seatpost too (25mm version) just like the sliver matching to all the finishing kit over the carbon.

Oh sorry, I was actually referring to @Kalkhoff 's project. Your Look is nice though, but you have your own thread for that ;)

Absolutely amazing

Love it, Fondriest paint schemes are always so good. Looks amazing with the DA.