Serial Numbers Decoded

[ntn007us]

Hello all, new to the forum here.

I own a couple of Serotta's and recently picked up a 90's deep purple Davis Phinney model in size 54 (55 top tube I believe).

The paint and paint scheme looks to be all original. However, I can't find the serial number under the bottom bracket whatsoever and the fork has been replaced with a period-correct Time carbon fork.

Does anyone know where the serial number might be located with this model?

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by ntn007us

Hello all, new to the forum here.

I own a couple of Serotta's and recently picked up a 90's deep purple Davis Phinney model in size 54 (55 top tube I believe).

The paint and paint scheme looks to be all original. However, I can't find the serial number under the bottom bracket whatsoever and the fork has been replaced with a period-correct Time carbon fork.

Does anyone know where the serial number might be located with this model?

Welcome to the forum. I have a TriColorado from the early 1990s that has the serial number on one of the dropouts. Will check exact location.....

[ntn007us]

Thank for the response. Can’t find the serial # on any rear drop outs nor underneath the bottom bracket. The frame geometry and color scheme are pretty consistent with the model in the 1991 catalog, but interestingly come with #s.

Rides great and great period components.

Cheers,

[Jeff N.]

Originally Posted by Jeff N.

Cti 60 5136

Can someone tell me about THIS ONE?

[dave thompson]

Originally Posted by Jeff N.

Can someone tell me about THIS ONE? Cti 60 5136

Cti (custom Legend Ti) 60 (Serotta’s size of frame) 5136 (5,136th build of that model)

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by ntn007us

Thank for the response. Can’t find the serial # on any rear drop outs nor underneath the bottom bracket. The frame geometry and color scheme are pretty consistent with the model in the 1991 catalog, but interestingly come with #s.

Rides great and great period components.

Cheers,

The Phinney wasn't built for very many years and I believe that they usually got the stock paint job for a given year. Some years there were different color options. So if your bike looks like one shown in the catalog, there's a good chance it's from the same year as the catalog.

[cycling4fun]

I have an SS in my serial number. I've searched the web for about three hours to find out more about it. Serotta replied to an email that the older serial numbers have been somewhat left without complete information after new ownership.

I'm selling my Serotta Classique after 15+ years of ownership on eBay

[oliver1850]

Thanks for posting the Classique, I'm assuming it has the SS model code.

[cycling4fun]

Yes, it has an SS code and rare to find much information from the internet about it

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by cycling4fun

Yes, it has an SS code and rare to find much information from the internet about it

I don't have the catalogs handy, and haven't owned a Classique. I'd guess from your serial number it would be from the first year the model was available.

[dvancleve]

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/b...620927714.html

Serial # is (apparently) C-69-E, rear spacing is 126mm, seat tube and top tube measurements seem to match the geometry table. As you can see, it has a Columbus SL tubing decal, but I only came across references to the Davis Phinney models being SLX (or stiffer)?

Thanks, Doug

[oliver1850]

It does resemble a Phinney with the bend in the left chainstay. The serial number doesn't correspond to anything I've seen before. 69th custom perhaps, but no idea what time period that corresponds to, or what the E stands for. Dave Kirk has said that you can't put much stock in what the tubing sticker says, at least in his tenure (1990 on). I'd try to see if there are spirals in the seat or down tubes. I'm not sure what year Davis first used the bent stay, but it was prior to 1989 as 1988 was the last year that the 7-Eleven team used Serotta built frames. Serotta first supplied the team in mid 1983, but I'd guess that the bent stay came along later. Davis talks a bit about the bent stay here, but doesn't say what year it was first used.

https://roadbikeaction.com/the-real-...en-team-bikes/

[Doc68]

This serial number is CR 54 00264. I found it at a friend of my wife’s house. It had ben in a bedroom for 26 years she is selling the house and wanted to know if I wanted it. It has all Sachs new success components. How lucky am I?

[dvancleve]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

It does resemble a Phinney with the bend in the left chainstay. The serial number doesn't correspond to anything I've seen before. 69th custom perhaps, but no idea what time period that corresponds to, or what the E stands for. Dave Kirk has said that you can't put much stock in what the tubing sticker says, at least in his tenure (1990 on). I'd try to see if there are spirals in the seat or down tubes. I'm not sure what year Davis first used the bent stay, but it was prior to 1989 as 1988 was the last year that the 7-Eleven team used Serotta built frames. Serotta first supplied the team in mid 1983, but I'd guess that the bent stay came along later. Davis talks a bit about the bent stay here, but doesn't say what year it was first used.

https://roadbikeaction.com/the-real-...en-team-bikes/

Thanks oliver1850! This ad was deleted, but it’s up again now. The 126mm rear spacing means this bike is probably older than I thought it was, and probably older than the Mavic parts that I need to find a home for. Is there ANY chance this isn’t a legit Serotta? Regards, Doug

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by Doc68

This serial number is CR 54 00264. I found it at a friend of my wife’s house. It had ben in a bedroom for 26 years she is selling the house and wanted to know if I wanted it. It has all Sachs new success components. How lucky am I?

I'd love to find a CR or CRL in my size and New Success is one of my favorite vintage groups.