Saturday, August 19, 2017

Liberati Professional Restoration finished

Eighteen months after starting this full 
restoration project...
The Liberati as found, more here.

...I am finally ready to take the Liberati
on it's maiden voyage.
 During this project I had to acknowledge to myself
that I really have become the rivet counter that I 
once used to scoff at..as you about to plainly see

First I had to have new cable guides brazed
onto the top tube.
Jeff Anderson of Jefferson Bikes kindly 
provided this service and also found me some period guides,
which I am really grateful for, as period authenticity
was the main driver on this project.
Jeff doing the business on the cable guides.
Then the frame set was sent to Kustom Chrome
in Gisborne for a LOT of work.  
While the frame was away, I slowly stripped and
rebuild the components.
I decided to also modify several of the original
components with period O.M.A.S. and Cobra 
special after market lightening parts. 
Above you can see the OMAS pin/clamps and bolts for
lightening the Campagnolo seat pin.
The original parts 152 grams
OMAS parts 84 grams 
Full OMAS seat pin kit installed ready for saddle.
 Cobra alloy bottom bracket bolts.
Original 28 grams
Cobra 10 grams.
I replaced the original Universal 68 brake calipers with
this set of Campagnolo calipers which have the full
OMAS lighting set, which consists of titanium centre 
bolt, alloy retaining bolts and washers.
I also fitted a set of very cool Scott Mathauser
Super brake finned brake shoes.
Apparently these brake shoes cost as much as
a whole set of middle range road bike calipers
would have set you back at the time. 
Original Campagnolo brake calipers 180 grams
OMAS/Scott Mathauser 164 grams.

Putting it all together

 The frame duly arrived from Kustom Chrome, and
as usual they had done a beautiful job.
I had contacted Liberati in Rome to see if they had
any original decals left, they did not, but they were very
interested in seeing the bike when I had finished.
 The original Liberati ship Rome 1950's.

 After painting the bike, I left it to sit for a month, 
as I find the two pack base coat clear coat system
benefits from a little hardening time.
Then it was time for the assembly....

...which resulted in this.

I had also tracked down a couple of original Cicli Liberai
jerseys over the last 18 months.
Some nice pantographing and quality work from 
Kustom Chrome, NOS set of Campagnolo shifters.
 The very pretty seat cluster that originally made me take
on this project.
Campagnolo brake with OMAS and Mathauser
 No over heating brakes here.
San Marco saddle with alloy rails, 314 grams.
 I thought the Steel Campagnolo head set set looked just right
 with the chrome lugs, so no light alloy head set used.
Regina America Superleggera hollw pin chain 

 Beutiful Galli chainset with Campagnolo 52/42
pantographed chain rings.
 Serious Italian 1970's bike bling.
You gotta love it.
 Super Record running on NOS Everest Nova
14-26 freewheel.
Campagnolo         derailleur doesn't really seem to appreciate the
26 tooth cog...but I do.


32 hole Nisi Countach Mercurio d'Oro 1977 rims with
some serious sticker action
laced to l/f Campagnolo hubs (of course). 
Nice bottom bracket treatment.
OMAS Titanium B/B set.
 3ttt bar tape, I have been sitting on this packet for quite
a while, waiting for the right bike.
Finished weight 9.4 kgs ready to ride...not bad.
  

So there you have it, a 1970's Italian Super bike rescued
from a dank and dark basement, in the first stages of
becoming an unsavable wreck, now once again ready to bring
pleasure (and pain) to some willing legs.



 Primo Liberati provided these jerseys to sponsored
amateurs. Primo's son Fabrizio still runs Cicli Liberati
in Rome.

 Primo Liberati

Cicli Liberati today.
A beautiful jersey to go with a beautiful bike.