I have acquired a very lovely old frame but do not quite know what it is exactly or when exactly 'twas built. It is obviously very high quality and has many little features that are probably only used by a small number of the top frame builders. Not only is it covered with many of these features it is also kitted out with extremely top notch Italian gear. We believe most of the gear is original to the frame (with about one exception). With some clues from the gear used and the serial number we are not completely sure about we believe the bicycle was built in 1957.
Now the full story of this bicycle is not known however I have some guesses as to some of its story. The bike has a rather attractive paint job and sports an 'Alfa Romeo' head tube decal. Haha I'm sure most of you are aware that Alfa Romeo had no hand in making bikes in the '50s; so yes this was obviously a repaint. My guess is that this bike was repainted a fair while ago by a keen classic car enthusiast who wished to have the bike match one of his cars. I believe that during this repaint it was also switched from a 10 speed to a 5 speed where they removed a single speed crankset and replaced it with a single speed Williams crankset; this is the only part that I believe to be unoriginal (the bike was obviously designed to be a 10 speed due to the pair of eyelets guides at the top of the down tube).
I WILL GET PICTURES UP ASAP!
(hopefully tomorrow)
Now not all of the gear that is on the bike currently is what it came with (I still have the gear I belive to be original do not worry, it shall be put back on the bike shortly). Here is the complete list of what it had/has:
Now the full story of this bicycle is not known however I have some guesses as to some of its story. The bike has a rather attractive paint job and sports an 'Alfa Romeo' head tube decal. Haha I'm sure most of you are aware that Alfa Romeo had no hand in making bikes in the '50s; so yes this was obviously a repaint. My guess is that this bike was repainted a fair while ago by a keen classic car enthusiast who wished to have the bike match one of his cars. I believe that during this repaint it was also switched from a 10 speed to a 5 speed where they removed a single speed crankset and replaced it with a single speed Williams crankset; this is the only part that I believe to be unoriginal (the bike was obviously designed to be a 10 speed due to the pair of eyelets guides at the top of the down tube).
I WILL GET PICTURES UP ASAP!
(hopefully tomorrow)Now not all of the gear that is on the bike currently is what it came with (I still have the gear I belive to be original do not worry, it shall be put back on the bike shortly). Here is the complete list of what it had/has:
- 'Il Primo Milano' 1950s Steel Handlebar Stem (with riveted badge)
- Handlebar (Also 'Il Primo Milano'?, I shall double check)
- 'Universal' 1950s Alloy Brake levers & Mod61 Centre Pull Brakes
- 'Wrights' Saddle Unoriginal definitely, came without saddle. I believe a 'Brooks' swallow had been removed.
- 'Campagnolo' Steel Micro Adjust Seat Post 27.2mm (I believe this was the early design if not the earliest (only manufactured 1956-57?))
- 'Campagnolo' Thumb Shifter. I do not know much about this part but I would guess that it one of their earlier designs, put on the bike when built, so probably from around 1957.
- 'Campagnolo' 1950s Gran Sport Rear Derailleur Gear
- 'Campagnolo' 1950s Gran Sport steel hubs with large alloy flanges (3 piece).
- 'Regina' Gran Sport Corse 1950s Freewheel. 14-16-19-23-25, interestingly drilled as small as 19 toothed sprocket.
- Unknown Steel Headset. It seems to be a very fine quality headset however I cannot see any branding
- Bottom Bracket - Cannot remember brand or any definitive features
- Pedals - Cannot remember specific details, I believe they are
- Mudguards most likely unoriginal, I presume put on during repaint
- 'Williams' Crankset Unoriginal not photographed
- Diamond Lugs for 'brake bridge' (cannot remember correct name) in seat stays
- Very neatly filed Nervex Pro lugs
- Very pleasing and delicate tapered wrap-over stays
- Oil port in bottom bracket (I am not certain of this, I shall check when I have the chance)
- Uncommon fork design, very neat
- 72° parallel frame
- Must be 531 throughout
- Eyelets for thumb shifters
- Serial Number - I cannot remember this off the top of my head but shall check when I am home. I believe it is a two part number with a 14 above and a 4 digit number below (possibly 5768)
