Fiocco Racing Replica project

[nicklej]

Hey everyone.

I’m currently doing a replica project build of the Fiocco racing teams bike. I don’t have any link to the team in any way but I loved the design of the frame and something about this bike was just cool to me.



I found a frame online in Italy back in May when I was browsing for random stuff and thought it was my opportunity to grab it!

The frame arrived in good condition and I have to say that I just wanted to build the bike up and take it for a ride! The photo below was the first photo I took (after I removed the cable guides).



Looking at the bike in their photos, I could see a mix of components I did not have so I’d need to start hunting. I wanted to go down the XTR M950 route instead of M900 but I’m thinking I’ll revert that choice in due course to really tie this bike together.

I had a set of Spinergy RevX wheels ready for use and whopped on a cassette, and just needed some decent tyres. I had some cheapo ones laying about just to put on in the meantime and put on the XTR M900 gear I had available. The bike came with the original matching saddle which was a nice touch.

Here is how I initially assembled the bike. What a lovely bike and feels great to ride but far from where she needed to be…



One of the main missing parts is the Girvin Crosslink carbon fork. One will show up eventually and that’ll bring me closer to completing this build.

However, I found some NOS 3T bars from a forum member which are catalog spec and fitted these.



I took the bike apart again because I got the satisfaction from riding it and wanted to keep making progress on the build if I could.

I removed all the cable guides on the frame which I had to do carefully. They’re threaded into the carbon but also have adhesive behind each one and I really didn’t want to damage the frame. I managed to get them all off and made plans to get them anodised purple as per the original bike. I also wanted to do the same for the metal seatpost shim, head tube inserts and BB shell. However, none of these could be removed and after some advice here, decided I’d not upset the frame but trying to remove them for the sake of vanity!



I’ve enquired about anodising the parts I’ve removed but I may actually 3D print some purple ones instead because most firms I’ve contacted have a larger minimum quantity which was expected.

 

[nicklej]

This frame was missing decals and I also needed quite a few more made up in order to make this match up nicely.

Fortunately, the majority of what I need produced is already on the frame but just needs to be scaled down or layer out slightly differently. And then some new ones made up for the sponsors of the team at the time like Multisport and Autovamm.

Thankfully, I found Gil who I’ve been emailing a little bit and hoping I can get what I need made up.

I sent some incredibly skilled mock-ups to Gil to show what I need and waiting to hear back. I’ve got another Fiocco frame so I may get two bikes worth made up just in case.

 

[nicklej]

I will eventually consider sourcing some green Wild Grippers but that’s not a big deal for me right now.

Instead I got some NOS panaracer dusters which had been well kept and had become a little waxy. I popped those mothers into the oven for a quick 10 minute blast and they came out looking great and will just need a coat of wheel polish or similar just to protect them a bit.

 

[nicklej]

And now she hangs until my next update

 

[nicklej]

Have been busy finding some parts for this build so I can continue.

Got a few more bits which won’t be installed just yet.

XTR M900 chainset
XTR M900 STIs
XTR M900 rear derailleur
Red Ritchey pedals

I also got a no name stem that looks similar to what I need.

 

[nicklej]

The chainset was a good deal but not in the best condition. I wasn’t too sure whether my novice hand could bring them back to life but I’m happy with the result after a while using scotchbrite pads by hand.

They could do with more runs so that they look “chrome” but for now they will remain as they are.

 

[nicklej]

Gil received my decal drawings and I managed to carefully remove the original ones from the frame so he had exact designs to use.

I’m hoping to hear back next week about that and can’t wait to fit them on!

I also had good luck finding a set of Girvin Carbon Crosslink forks. A guy messaged me on Facebook about having a set. I got a good deal and bought them immediately. They’re currently en route to my shop from the states.

I am going to repaint the upper and lower yellow parts on the fork legs as they are a bit dull. There’s no such thing as a free lunch either so my plan is to paint the spring in the same yellow so it matches the original bike I’m replicating.

The bottom bracket on this bike was a PIG! Bent my tool and was about 45 minutes of grunting to get it out. Anyway, the bearings are shagged so I’m in the hunt for a correct BB so that I can get my cranks installed.

 

[nicklej]

Received the forks yesterday and they were in pretty decent nick. The yellow parts on the fork legs were a bit dull so which I preempted from the photos from the seller.

Probably sacrilege for me to try and paint those parts since I’ve not done it before but the colour came out alright. If anything, a bit brighter. Rookie error: didn’t tape enough off so a bit of paint is where it shouldn’t be but from photos afar it is not easy to see. I’ll tidy it up later.



Since the original bike has purple cable guides and anodising such a small amount wasnt possible, I painted those too and think they’ll fit the bill nicely but they’re a smidge darker than they should be. Minor issue that I’m not concerned about though.

 

[nicklej]

Since I didn’t have the forks before sending sketches to Gil at retrodecals, it was a small gamble that the main “Fiocco” decal would not suit the fork.

I whipped the fork onto the other frame I have and really happy to see it coming together. The Fiocco decal also looks like it is the right size

I’ll be taking the fork home tonight and going to install it along with the purple cable guides. If the colour suits then I may consider also spraying the dropouts and the BB shell but we shall see!

 

[Dr Dremel]

I have to admit this is normally not the kind of bike I would be interested in, but this is so ridiculously over top I´m strangely attracted. Nice effort so far, keep up the good work!