Illaveago
Guru
- Location
- Chippenham,Wiltshire.
I recently bought this cycle. It was advertised on FBMP as a frame only. It was cheap and in need of restoration. I fancied a project and thought I would try an Italian bike for a change. I normally collect British steel framed cycles
I've heard of a few Italian makes before but I had not heard of this make. We set off to and see it, it was a few miles away but we could do some sightseeing on the way. The frame was in a it of a state, needing a clean and showing signs of rust. It was a bit touch and go if I was going to buy it. I asked if he would accept a fiver off and I picked up the frame.
WE arrived home and I immediately got out the car shampoo and gave it a clean. The next thing was to see if I could get the rusty chrome bits clean. It has chrome fork shoulders and dropouts. 8 put some rust removing gel on them and worked at it with an old toothbrush. After a while I gave them a scrub with some aluminium foil. They had cleaned up! That was a relief! They do look nice against the dark blue.
The next couple of days were spent freeing up things. I removed the rusty chain and freed the rear derailleur. The front mech also needed freeing and so did the right hand STI shifter. The ratchet wasn't working. Some release spray and a bit of persuasion got it moving.
I borrowed some wheels , bought a new chain, cables and fitted them and went through the gears. I had to adjust the limit screws on the rear mech as the sprockets are 9 speed yet my STI is an 8. It works fine.
I was surprised by my first road test. It is very agile and smooth to ride. The saddle is hard though. My first ride was only 6 miles as it had started raining and I got wet. It seems as though each time I go out on it I get wet. I have done almost 30 miles on it now and am enjoying it. I will need to try to find some paint so that I can touch up some chips and some corrosion areas but on the whole it is a nice looking bike.
I've heard of a few Italian makes before but I had not heard of this make. We set off to and see it, it was a few miles away but we could do some sightseeing on the way. The frame was in a it of a state, needing a clean and showing signs of rust. It was a bit touch and go if I was going to buy it. I asked if he would accept a fiver off and I picked up the frame.
WE arrived home and I immediately got out the car shampoo and gave it a clean. The next thing was to see if I could get the rusty chrome bits clean. It has chrome fork shoulders and dropouts. 8 put some rust removing gel on them and worked at it with an old toothbrush. After a while I gave them a scrub with some aluminium foil. They had cleaned up! That was a relief! They do look nice against the dark blue.
The next couple of days were spent freeing up things. I removed the rusty chain and freed the rear derailleur. The front mech also needed freeing and so did the right hand STI shifter. The ratchet wasn't working. Some release spray and a bit of persuasion got it moving.
I borrowed some wheels , bought a new chain, cables and fitted them and went through the gears. I had to adjust the limit screws on the rear mech as the sprockets are 9 speed yet my STI is an 8. It works fine.
I was surprised by my first road test. It is very agile and smooth to ride. The saddle is hard though. My first ride was only 6 miles as it had started raining and I got wet. It seems as though each time I go out on it I get wet. I have done almost 30 miles on it now and am enjoying it. I will need to try to find some paint so that I can touch up some chips and some corrosion areas but on the whole it is a nice looking bike.
