Who else keeps a SOMEC? I ran into one several months ago and have been busy buffing it out. Previous owner said that it was a '78, anything known about the serial numbers, models, etc. for the older bikes?
This one is marked as a Special, and has very good paint and excellent file and finish - I think it is SL, but takes a 27.0 seatpost, for what that is worth. The bike came with early second generation super record pieces, and basically all I had to do was clean, touch up, and add things like the seatpost, wheels, and seat.
You know, posting pictures looks easy, but I must have it hosed up somehow. I'll post the pictures of the bike if someone'll tell me what went wrong...Ahhh, I see. I have to downsample the image to get it to fit...hold on...
Well, that was interesting. Full objects don't show well, at least not with my camera. Apologies for the bottle cage, it is changed out now to the proper vintage...;-)
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I worked in a shop in '78 - '79 in Los Alamos, NM that sold Somec. The owner had arranged to import about a dozen frames while on a trip to Italy. As far as I know, there was no regular importer to the US at that time. All the frames in the shop had engraved Cinelli stems painted to match the frames and leather wrapped bars. I bought one of the frames - serial number was 544, IIRC. I don't remember anything about different models. Mine was a really sweet metallic light blue, 57cm (maybe 58) and was stolen in Albuquerque around about '84.
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they must be pretty unusual. There are a few things about 'em on the web, but not many. They're still in business, and I think for the last couple of years an importer has been trying to bring them back to the US, although I have yet to see one of the new ones (they were at the 2004 show, I think). Its a nice bike and a good rider. But I guess for things to have collector interest there has to be enough of 'em for a popular opinion.
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You should be able to corroborate the year using the patent number on the rear derailleur (two numerals representing last two digits of the year), the code on the back of the hub locknuts ("CAM" plus two numerals representing last two digits of the year), and the one on the back of crankarms (a diamond representing the 1970s with a single number, representing the last digit of the year). The components would likely be the same year as the frame, or possibly a year older.
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unfortunately, no. The guy I bought it from got tired of his project, after putting nos headset, stem, bars, and rear derailleur on it. I actually had plans to scavange the parts for another project, but when I got the bike it was in such nice shape I had to finish it (even impressed my wife, who is becoming more and more unimpressible...). The guy said that it was a '78 and I certainly can't argue...the derailleur is from '78...but I really don't think that any of these parts were original to the bike.
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several months ago I picked up a Somec special, mine is blue and specked with durace. Pretty sweet bike for a garage sale find, 5 bucks bike is in really great shape just needs some cleaning I will post pictures when I leave iraq and can work on this beauty.
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danged hard to armorize a Somec. Probably make it a good training tool, though, after you put a little DU plate on the sides. And the climbing can't be as good in Iraq as it is in Vermont. I have learned a little more about Somecs since this thread started, and I'll be happy to share what I know. Come home safe; we need more people who like Somecs. And $5 is a killer deal for any Somec...congratulations!
bike is in really great shape just needs some cleaning I will post pictures when I leave iraq and can work on this beauty.
