Serial Numbers Decoded

[oliver1850]

Thanks Daryl for the CS bridge info.

Get those rusty spots touched up so they don't get worse. Paint really looks pretty good considering the age.

[Jeff N.]

What would CL1 61 613 mean? What year of production? -Jeff N.

[dave thompson]

Originally Posted by Jeff N.

What would CL1 61 613 mean? What year of production? -Jeff N.

Custom Ottrott, size 61, 613th Ottrott made. No year of manufacture coded in Serotta's serial numbers.

[oliver1850]

Just to clarify, it's CLI, not CL1.

[sipmeister]

Hello, I'm a new member and have been reading as much about Serotta Nova Special X as possible on this forum. Lots of helpful and interesting information. However, I still have a few questions.

I recently acquired through my favorite website (eBay) a Serotta Nova Special X with complete Dura Ace 7402 which looks like the original group. I'm in the process of changing out the seat, stem and crankset (stem and crank to be longer than what came on the bike). From what I can tell, the bike is in great shape, no rust and no dents. The color is some kind of pearl with yellow/orange/red decals. Measurements are: HT Length: 14.4 cm. TT: 55 c-t-c. ST: 56 c-t-c.

The chain stays are slightly shaped, not straight.

The serial number is: SL560071. Based on your serial number decoder, this means it's actually a Nova Special, not X. Is this correct? I have a hunch it was possibly professionally repainted at some point. You can see the initials "JB" on the left seat stay near BB in matching yellow decal paint. The lettering style used looks like Joe Bell. Is this correct as well? I haven't checked the base of the seat tube, but head tube has rifling in it.

So in a nutshell: Is this a 1990 or '91 Nova Special or NSX, and was it in fact repainted at some point? I tried uploading some pictures but got a 'failed upload' message. Here is a link to where I posted pictures on Flickr. The pearl/white bike is the bike in question. Thanks to all for help and comments.

https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=ser...%20special%20x

[oliver1850]

Looks like you have a Joe Bell repainted 1990 Nova Special. Hard to say why the "X" decal was used, may have been what the customer wanted. SL in the serial number indicates Columbus SL tubing, SN would be SLX (Nova Special X). I have Nova Special SL58 090, one of my favorite bikes. I also have a Nova Special X and an NHX for comparison.

[regularguy412]

Recently purchased Serotta Fondo Ti -- FG B0248

I bought this from a forumite associated with a shop. GREAT bike, btw. It was originally purchased by another company in the 'fire sale' that occurred during the closing of the Serotta factory/business. I'm assuming this frame was built sometime in 2013.

Mike in AR

[Ecobeard]

Good morning all

I've had this frame for about 3 years now and I have absolutely loved riding it. I bought it off a clubmate who had imported it from the U.S. 5 or so years previously. He bought it as a Serotta Legend Ti and I've always assumed it was.

My curiosity was picqued by this thread so I thought I'd find out a bit more about it and in doing my research here, I'm not sure it is a Serotta after all!

I don't mind what the frame is, but I would like to know who built it and find out what it's story is.

The album for the bike is here -

https://www.flickr.com/gp/96979340@N04/eo02P5

The measurements are -

1" steerer
HT - 19cm
TT - 60.5cm
ST - 62cm

All measurements are CTT.

The serial number is I1307 and its stamped on the bottom of the drive side drop out.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Rob

[dave thompson]

Rob, I can't help you identify your frame but I can say conclusively it's not a Serotta. Serotta used seat post clamps rather than welded-on ears on their Ti bikes. They used very different rear drop outs and their rear brake bridge has the Serotta S stamped on it.

[Ecobeard]

Thanks Dave - that's what I feared.

Anyone have even the beginning of a clue what it could be?

[oliver1850]

I couldn't tell much from the images. I would start by looking at details of known examples from Litespeed, Merlin, TiSports (Dean, Sampson, etc.). Look at the dropouts and how the stays are joined to them. That seatpost bolt may be another clue.

You might do some gazing here:

http://www.tirides.com/wp/category/frames/

[Ecobeard]

Will do, many thanks.

[Jeff N.]

[QUOTE=Ecobeard;1755568]Thanks Dave - that's what I feared.

Anyone have even the beginning of a clue what it could be?[/QUOTE What D.T. said, plus the welds are too uniform to be a Serotta. I'm thinking it's an earlier Merlin.

[Ecobeard]

Litespeed got back to me to confirm is wasn't one of theirs, due to the serial number placement.

[oliver1850]

You might try to find someone with an Airborne and compare details. They sold quite a few frames in the US, but I don't know how common they are in the UK.