sd5782 

I almost bought a later model Torpedo Nuovo Sprint. From internet pics it is either an 84 or 85. I know, not the most desirable, but all original down to the seat and frame pump. Rust pitting on chrome fork that would have cleaned up 90% at least. Father in law of a co worker and 45 minute drive. He collects bikes in a small town so no history except it sat for years. Agreed on $150, but, BUT, seat post stuck and only 3/4” showing.

We worked for an hour to no avail. Didn’t have a mounted vice to get too aggressive, so just WD40 and a big crescent wrench. I said the offer still stands if he gets it loose. Looked just my size at maybe 56cm. Skinny tires were even stock I bet. Kinda hard to walk away although research shows it being just middling desirable. I thought of saying $100 and I would try to get post out myself, but I didn’t want to insult the gentleman. Maybe he gets it loose soon. This buyers disciple is new to me and a bit painful. Anyhow, it probably doesn’t do anything better than my 85 Ironman that I still have to go totally through.

juvela

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Dating of interest to Torresini fans I should think.

Member T-Mar posted about a month or two back that Agrati purchased Torresini in 1983.

Have wondered what they did with it and for how long.

Have the impression that Torpado badged machines disappear after the mid-1980's.

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rustystrings61 

My last stuck seat post required using some PB power blaster sprayed into the the top of the seat tube; a few minutes later, leaving the saddle in place, I put a 3-foot or so plumbing pipe in between the saddle rails, secured the bike and shoved on the pipe until the seat post began rotating. Would be better as a two-man job.

Torpados were cool, and I remember seeing a bunch of them here in South Carolina.

randyjawa 

What I have learned, over the years, is strike when the iron is hot. Put another way, when you run across something you like and want, do not hesitate. I have missed gems by not acting fast. Just a few weeks ago, an lovely Campy Super Record Bianchi slipped through my fingers. Thought I would wait a day and make a lower offer. The bike got sold later that day.

So, hesitate and, sometimes, you will regret it.

As for the stuck seat post, this is such a minor issue. Just cut it out. I do this using a hacksaw blade and gloves. I cut, slowly, carefully and inspecting progress frequently cut three slots all the way to the steel (this does not work on aluminum frames). The saw, touching the steel will feel and sound different.

The first time I cut out a seat post, it took me hours of doubt and frustration. These days, a half hour, or so, and Bob's your uncle.

T-Mar

For posterity's sake, the date that Agrati-Garelli purchased the Torpado brand and factory was 1981. At least that is was what was reported in a road test BITD. The latest confirmed date that I have for Torpado distribution in the USA is 1987.

sd5782 

I may wind up with it yet in the future. It is this one;

Torpado, Marc Schectermans

Only visually in about 50% condition but would probably clean up to perhaps 90%. One size bigger than the classic rendezvous one. White cable housings too which are probably original. I should have taken pics. Now if it were a 70s bike I would have been more aggressive. Randy, good to know that seat post cutting isn’t as bad as it sounds. 26.8mm post on it FYI. Got to look at it plenty trying to dislodge at owners place and not around all my tools and vice and such.

juvela

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Thanks very much for correcting me all-too sievelike memory @T-Mar.

Much appreciated.


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T-Mar

Actually, I was thinking that maybe I had gotten the date wrong or committed a typographical error.

T-Mar

I've had one case where even this didn't work and I had to resort to my tube reamer. As with the saw blade, you hear and feel the difference in resistance when you've broken though the aluminum post and reached the steel tube.

oneclick 

Aluminium or steel post?

Ally: upside-down for a week or so with lye solution in the seat-tube...

Steel: electrolytic derusting.

sd5782 

The owner still has bike and said he would work on it. I mentioned upside down with penetrating oil. Problem with hacksaw on this one is that post is slammed almost all the way down, so probably 8 inches in tube. That would be some challenging sawing. If he gets it great, if not okay too. I don’t exactly need or have much use for a racy bike anyhow. It just seemed kinda interesting.

Trakhak

Back in the days when I worked in a shop, we never bothered to waste time trying conventional methods to pull a stuck seatpost. We'd just take the bike to the auto repair shop next door. A mechanic would go at the underside of the seatpost clamp assembly with a pneumatic hammer. Ten seconds later, the post was out without any damage to the bike frame.

Just in case it isn't obvious, the frame should be held by hand during the air hammer assault. Clamping the frame in a bike stand is a bad idea; the stand might absorb the impact force and/or the frame might take some damage.

steve sumner

our shop sold Torpados in the early 80s. the salesman didn't know much:
instead of Torresini from Padoua(sp?) he tried to tell me they had factories
in Torino and Padoua