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Since the early to mid 80ies I have longed for a certain Bottecchia. At that time here in Stockholm, Sweden, there was an Estonian guy who had a small "hole in the wall" bikeshop and he imported Bottecchias. His reputation spanned from being a total con man to being super nice. To me he was super nice. For those of you who are familiar with the lyrics of Sixto Rodriguez song "Cause" you will get the picture...
Already then I was into vintage bikes and he was sharing knowledge, anecdotes and sold me (cheap) the parts that I needed. I have heard of others who paid dearly for crap and felt cheated. Who knows what caused this discrepancy.
The first time I saw a "Team Malvor" colour scheme Bottecchia in his shop I was stunned. Stunned. At that time I was into less is more and this was sort of highly forbidden porn... "I should not like this... but oh... does it feel good..."
Since then I have collected vintage bikes for 40 years and as you might notice I have now changed my header from "39 years and 39 bikes" to 40 years and 40 bikes.
I put this frame to 1984 or early 1985. I base this on:
1. The paint and decals. After careful scrutiny of paint and decals they are without a doubt original. The decals that are boasting world championships end at 1966 and the decals commemorating Italian championships end at 1967. I e - not the later decals - starting with the 1985 worlds and continuing further years.
2. Columbus decal type (pre 1984 - but they probably had some older decals for a while). This means SL - or more likely, considering the frame size - SP.
3. Under the BB cables (catalouges and "Team Malvor" team cards show a transition period 1983 to 1985)
4. No portacataena rear drop out (being phased out 83-84).
5 (weak point but anyway) Only one bottle cage holder.
6. Braze on front derailleur (post 1982-83).
7.The head tube badge is a decal. During this time the team named frames seem to have decals. Before and after there seem to be badges - no firm evidence here...)
I have written it here over and over again - Sweden is not the place for high end vintage bikes. For reasons told before. But when found they are cheap. This was cheaper than most. Complete bike with a hodge podge mix of good condition 80ies Chorus and 8V 90ies Veloce. Sold at auction for the equivilant of 200 USD...
A quest has come to an end. A time to celebrate and at the same time a bit of grail emptiness. I do have some other hobbies and within another hobby I wrote this some years ago:
"Do not surrender to - what I have named - "grail emptiness". The feeling of meaninglessness and anxiety that can hit you when you have reached one of your goals. The emptiness and sometimes disorientation has its explanation.
Take comfort in the knowledge that collecting is not solely about the possession of things. It is as much, or more and for some, maybe to the full extent - about the quest. The research, the hunt, the journey, meetings, contacts - and the dreaming.
You are not alone in your grail emptiness. I would say we all suffer from it in different ways and forms. I tackle it by finding a new grail to covet and long for. Sometimes I alternate between hobbies to find new inspiration.
I found this some time ago and I think it is well put:
“The main thing is that I discovered that half the fun of owning a watch is, like the fulfillment of all desires, about the pursuit –shopping around is fun and ownership is the beginning of something, but also the end.” Jack Forster, Contributor, Forbes Magazine" "
End of (self) quote.
I have gathered a set of a very early C-Record (1984 crank arms, etc) for a 1984-5 De Rosa frame that I have. BUT it might going in the direction of this frame instead.
www.brothercycles.com
