Serial Numbers Decoded

[NRV]

1991 (ish?) Colorado II in Magenta / Orange as seen below:

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showpo...2&postcount=40

Serial: SC 52 01281

[Asudef]

Can someone help me ID this bike?

I remember finding the color scheme in the catalogs but they don't look identical.

Cursive Colorado decals, brazed/tapered ST and DT tubes at BB, brazed/ovalized TT at HT joint, internally routed, flared but not S curved stays, Colorado Concept Columbus tubing sticker.

Serial reads 91221. There may be another small marking just below the serial but the paint is too thick to read it. You can faintly make it out in this pic.

[Black Dog]

Just picked up a CII from a fellow forum member: SN: SC 54 2691 which would put it at late '91.

[oliver1850]

SBarner: Thanks for the info. We hopefully can now say that 1982 - 1984 Serotta serial numbers started with a two digit year code. I believe that 1985 to early 1990 started with a single digit for the year. A Nova Special recently surfaced on the forum with a serial number that begins with zero. I still believe the switch to the two letter model codes happened in 1990, because my Nova Special is coded SL58xxxx, and 1990 was the last year for the Nova.

Black Dog: I believe you are correct about the CII being introduced in 1989. I have a Bicycle Guide test of the Colorado in the July 1989 issue. Although the frame is referred to as a "Colorado" throughout the article, the box with specs for the bike and build is headed up with "Colorado II".

NRV: Yes, I think that's very likely a 1991. That paint was one of the standards on the CII in 1991. I have an NHX (only made in '91) painted the same way (factory paint, but custom on the NHX).

Aaron O: Good to have the serial number, shows how many CIIs were being made in the early 1990s (a lot). 1992 is the last year, yours probably is full lugged? Would like to see it.

Asudef: That's surely a 1989 Colorado. I have a nearly identical one, serial number is SC61 0242. The only thing that doesn't fit is the brake cable routing on yours. Mine is newer (1990) and still had the top of top tube cable guides. My blue/yellow CII is number 0432 and is pretty much identical in details except it has the top ported internal routing. The side ported routing wasn't used by Serotta as far as I know until 1993 with the CR and CRL. I wonder if possibly someone had yours repainted around that time and had the internal routing done at the same time. I've seen a couple of other Serotta factory repaints done on older bikes with the split cable stops of the CSI, but never one with added internal routing. It's also missing the chevrons on the ST and DT, which I believe all 1989 frames had. One other thing that makes me think it's a repaint is the tubing sticker. I don't think Serotta used anything but standard Columbus stickers until sometime after 1990, as my pink/onyx Colorado has a normal Columbus SP sticker. The blue/yellow CII has a Serotta sticker that says "Columbus" across the top. I think the sticker on your bike is a newer one, perhaps the one used on the CR/CRL. I have an early (1996?) CSI with the same sticker, but where yours is red, mine is light blue. So you've got an original color scheme, but decals are not quite right. Still closer than most repaints as you have the model name and USA shield which are often lacking.

We need a thread dedicated to all the different Serotta tubing stickers, I guess.

Thanks to everyone for their contributions. Feel free to PM me if I can help with anything.

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

Black Dog: I believe you are correct about the CII being introduced in 1989. I have a Bicycle Guide test of the Colorado in the July 1989 issue. Although the frame is referred to as a "Colorado" throughout the article, the box with specs for the bike and build is headed up with "Colorado II".

I've seen a couple of other Serotta factory repaints done on older bikes with the split cable stops of the CSI, but never one with added internal routing.

I would love to read that review. Is there any chance that you have a scan or pic of it?

My CII was repainted in 1997 (or just after; it has the 25th anniversary decal under the clear coat) and split stops were added. I am not the original owner. I am assuming that since it is a 1991 it must have had the top internal routing and was changed over due to corrosion issues. I am pretty sure that even on a custom, spilt stops were not an option in 1991.

[oliver1850]

I wonder if the TT might have been replaced. You might ask DK if they ever filled cable ports when doing split stop upgrades.

I think your frame is a 1992, as it has the full head tube lug and S bend stays. Very nice CII, arguably better than the original. Wish it were bigger so I could talk you out of one of the forks.

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

I wonder if the TT might have been replaced. You might ask DK if they ever filled cable ports when doing split stop upgrades.

I think your frame is a 1992, as it has the full head tube lug and S bend stays. Very nice CII, arguably better than the original. Wish it were bigger so I could talk you out of one of the forks.

It is a 1991 for sure. The SN is SC54 2691 which predates a confirmed 1991 and it lacks the 20 (for Serotta's 20th anniversary) on the fork crown that seems to have been put on the 1992 CII forks.

[oliver1850]

It seems none of the changes on the CII corresponded with a model year change.

[Vonruden]

Late 70's / early 80's? My first Serotta, pondering a restore or just ride.

[vjp]

My bet is mid 70's, I would ride it as is!

Really awesome, thanks for sharing it.

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by Vonruden

Late 70's / early 80's? My first Serotta, pondering a restore or just ride.

I would ride it for a bit and if you have the means restore it. It looks amazing and after being restored it will be functional art and history. Do not restore it if you will be too afraid to ride it afterwards. That bike needs to be on the road.

[jonk]

My Serotta Colorado II serial number is SC59 00784. I believe it to be a 91 but it might be a 90. It can be seen here http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=145673

The original paint was the yellow/red fade and had the half lug on the top tube and the fillet brazed bottom bracket. Actually it appears the the bottom braket used a kind of inner lug and slipped the oversized tube on top of them (instead on inside them) so the lug is on the inside of the tubes. Heres a pic of what i mean (although its hard to see). Also, as i stated in the link, after stripping the paint I noticed the down tube was etched Tange Prestige. It was the only tube marked.

It also has the S stays and the internal brake cable on the top tube.

[AJosiahK]

have a serotta ti and am looking at the serial number now, TI as in Ti legend?, 62 for the size, but the last 5 places, yes 5, confuse me a little

TI62L1161
1161 could be the production number but what would the L mean? custom Long? or ....

interesting right? or did I miss something.

what year could this frame have been made?

[Keith A]

I'm not sure about the year, but I do know that the "Ti" model was the predecessor to the "Legend Ti". I think the year would be mid to late 90's.

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by AJosiahK

have a serotta ti and am looking at the serial number now, TI as in Ti legend?, 62 for the size, but the last 5 places, yes 5, confuse me a little

TI62L1161
1161 could be the production number but what would the L mean? custom Long? or ....

interesting right? or did I miss something.

what year could this frame have been made?

The L stands for Long. It would have a top tube that is a cm or two longer than the standard 62cm frame. The 1161 is the production number.