87/88 Ferraroli California

thekidmalone

Old School Hero
Feedback
View
Hello everyone,

Here is another Swiss-made, silver-brazed beauty which I saved from the bin at my local community bike shop. This was made before Ferraroli began to use a year code in their serial numbers, so it's not possible to be sure precisely when it was made, but either 87 or 88 according to the details of the frame, paint scheme and graphics.


Here is the picture as I found it. The prior use of Magura hydraulic brakes was a blessing, as the stretchy hydraulic hose is much easier to remove from a corroded internal guide tube than a metal-reinforced brake cable housing.



After clean-up came the mock-ups, starting with #1...


...then #2...


...then #3.


Finding the aluminum bullmoose bar/stem combo on a lower-spec Ferraroli was key to completing the build. It was standard on most of their top models, and optional on more affordable bikes.


Here is the bike during my first, shakedown cruise, in living color.


Finally, here is a period sell sheet produced by a local shop for the California model. 2,950 Swiss Francs is still a lot of money now, and was even more so back then.


Thanks for your time and attention. Enjoy!

The Kid
 

Attachments

  • As Found Right.jpg
    As Found Right.jpg
    157.7 KB · Views: 927
  • Catalog.jpg
    Catalog.jpg
    103.3 KB · Views: 928
  • Mock-up 1.jpg
    Mock-up 1.jpg
    296.1 KB · Views: 927
  • Mock-up 2.jpg
    Mock-up 2.jpg
    281.5 KB · Views: 927
  • Mock-up 3.jpg
    Mock-up 3.jpg
    237.6 KB · Views: 927
  • Bullmoose.jpg
    Bullmoose.jpg
    166.8 KB · Views: 930
  • Front 34 Color.jpg
    Front 34 Color.jpg
    215.6 KB · Views: 930
  • Profile B&W.jpg
    Profile B&W.jpg
    223.8 KB · Views: 926
Re:

Very nice and time well spent, thanks Mr Malone.




al. :D
 
Great looking bike with lovely details!
I really like the fourth option on the bill (for those who can't read German):
Colour: as wished, no extra costs. :cool:
 
Re:

Thought I'd add my bike in here as they appear to be both the same model bikes

Ferraroli, probably dating, as the original poster suggested 87/88. Found it thrown away. wheelset missing. Parts that were still present: Nitto bullmoose handlebars. Sakae oval tech crankset. Shimano Bl AT50 levers and brakes. Shimano light action thumbies Took me a long time to figure out the right sized seatpost. 26.8mm :)



Currently I've put on a mixture of parts to get her going. added Campagnolo super record derailleur (found €1) which I found wonderfully smooth and light, so put it on.
I proceeded with Campy thumb shifters Icarus/Euclid (cant remember) 7sp.
Sakae sr seatpost which I want to upgrade. Cassano handles. Front wheel LX hub Araya VP-20 rim. Rear LX EMC rim. Definitely want to upgrade alot of parts to lighten her up.
replacing decals would be ideal, although finding the right font and front badge could prove difficult.
Few weeks ago, I started to speak to a guy who recognized the bike. He told me that Alain was still designing bike parts for track bikes if I remember :cool:
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20190501_103706843.jpg
    IMG_20190501_103706843.jpg
    106.7 KB · Views: 339
  • IMG_20190501_103717482.jpg
    IMG_20190501_103717482.jpg
    109 KB · Views: 339
  • IMG_20190501_103724419.jpg
    IMG_20190501_103724419.jpg
    93.6 KB · Views: 339
  • IMG_20190501_103731124.jpg
    IMG_20190501_103731124.jpg
    69.9 KB · Views: 338
  • IMG_20190501_103736180.jpg
    IMG_20190501_103736180.jpg
    59.7 KB · Views: 338
  • IMG_20190501_103751011.jpg
    IMG_20190501_103751011.jpg
    72.1 KB · Views: 339
Back
Top