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 The very pretty seat cluster that originally made me take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.