1950's Frejus project thread - heavy patina content
02-23-21, 08:04 PM
#26
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hope you measured frame's brake centres prior to sending off for those Pietra 51's...
their centres are 50.5mm and 64mm
either an Ambrosio Champion steel or alloy stem would be plausible, as mentined previously
bar should be an Ambrosio Champion alloy
checked for you and there is not a set of Frejus marked Gaslo caps on ebay.it this week
here is a Bianchi set as an example
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hope you measured frame's brake centres prior to sending off for those Pietra 51's...
their centres are 50.5mm and 64mm
either an Ambrosio Champion steel or alloy stem would be plausible, as mentined previously
bar should be an Ambrosio Champion alloy
checked for you and there is not a set of Frejus marked Gaslo caps on ebay.it this week
here is a Bianchi set as an example
BIANCHI GASLO Capsula BREV Tappi manubrio Bar Tappi finali 50S vintage ottime condizioni
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WOW those bar plugs! 😳😳
Yikes!
02-23-21, 10:05 PM
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here are the current Gaslo offerings on subito.it
they look like Filene's basement when compared to the ebay listings...
https://www.subito.it/annunci-italia...o&from=top-bar
btw - Gaslos are not "plugs" - they are "caps" as they mount on the outside of the bar end rather than on the inside
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here are the current Gaslo offerings on subito.it
they look like Filene's basement when compared to the ebay listings...
https://www.subito.it/annunci-italia...o&from=top-bar
btw - Gaslos are not "plugs" - they are "caps" as they mount on the outside of the bar end rather than on the inside
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Last edited by juvela; 02-24-21 at 01:07 AM. Reason: addition
02-24-21, 12:49 AM
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I am SO digging all of the lovely patina in this thread!
02-25-21, 05:20 PM
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@canyoneagle These Frejus bar caps just showed up on ebay. $68 with shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-FREJUS-BAR-PLUGS-TAPPO-MANUBRIO-ANTICO-IN-ALLUMINIO-NUOVO-DI-FABBRICA/284193891686?hash=item422b46a566:g
5sAAOSwYGJgM8fH
Brent
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-FREJUS-BAR-PLUGS-TAPPO-MANUBRIO-ANTICO-IN-ALLUMINIO-NUOVO-DI-FABBRICA/284193891686?hash=item422b46a566:g
5sAAOSwYGJgM8fHBrent
02-25-21, 06:21 PM
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It's only one cap. Not a pair.
02-25-21, 08:10 PM
#32
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@canyoneagle These Frejus bar caps just showed up on ebay. $68 with shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-FREJUS-BAR-PLUGS-TAPPO-MANUBRIO-ANTICO-IN-ALLUMINIO-NUOVO-DI-FABBRICA/284193891686?hash=item422b46a566:g5sAAOSwYGJgM8fH
Brent
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-FREJUS-BAR-PLUGS-TAPPO-MANUBRIO-ANTICO-IN-ALLUMINIO-NUOVO-DI-FABBRICA/284193891686?hash=item422b46a566:g
5sAAOSwYGJgM8fHBrent
I've made an offer.
02-25-21, 08:12 PM
#33
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02-25-21, 08:34 PM
#34
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Stem is on its way, I've made an offer on the matching bar...
02-25-21, 10:59 PM
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...now all that is needed is the little adhesive anodised foil disc with a letter F which sits down in the recess of the head of the expander bolt...
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...now all that is needed is the little adhesive anodised foil disc with a letter F which sits down in the recess of the head of the expander bolt...-----
02-26-21, 11:14 AM
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Frejus tended to use Ambrosio rims, but it is not a hard and fast rule. They would look like this.
Ambrosio rims 1 by iabisdb, on Flickr
Ambrosio rims 1 by iabisdb, on Flickr
02-26-21, 01:56 PM
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canyoneagle -
should you ever wish to fit new booties to those freni leve you purchased iab created some outstanding replicas of the Vittoria Tour de France model booties he has available for purchase. they be a good fit on the Pietra model 306 levers.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...vittoria+hoods
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canyoneagle -
should you ever wish to fit new booties to those freni leve you purchased iab created some outstanding replicas of the Vittoria Tour de France model booties he has available for purchase. they be a good fit on the Pietra model 306 levers.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...vittoria+hoods
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02-26-21, 03:34 PM
#38
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I had read IAB's very detailed post in the past - pretty impressive!!!!!!!!
I'll wait until the brakes arrive and will assess the condition of the hoods.
Stuff is coming!
I'll wait until the brakes arrive and will assess the condition of the hoods.
Stuff is coming!
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02-26-21, 05:47 PM
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Fun project !
Great info.
I derived '54 by the same methodology you mention. Specifically, the last date on mine is 1953, and I had found this image of a later model, clearly including '54.
I assume that the prior year's victory would only begin appearing on the subsequent year model. Therefore, since both '53 and '54 are found on the later headbadge, I believe mine to be a '54 since the last date shown is 1953.
I derived '54 by the same methodology you mention. Specifically, the last date on mine is 1953, and I had found this image of a later model, clearly including '54.
I assume that the prior year's victory would only begin appearing on the subsequent year model. Therefore, since both '53 and '54 are found on the later headbadge, I believe mine to be a '54 since the last date shown is 1953.
Also was surprised to see the address on the Frejus advert !
That is about 150kms away from me here in New Zealand . I wonder how many they sold and where they are now ?
Funny old world .
Cheers
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02-27-21, 04:16 AM
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Way cool! The oldest bike I have is a 1971 Stella mid level bike with similar parts. I have been tempted to update the derailleurs and brakes but the darn thing is just so original I would feel bad . Besides, everything works as it should! The matchbox FD shifts perfectly and the Velox RD shifts through a broad range FW with ease. What’s not to love? Some of the early parts are more artistic and crafty . Your bike is like fifteen years before my Stella , how nice.
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02-28-21, 08:38 AM
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tip on Ambrosio Champion bar -
pretty much any example you locate is likely to be a 38cm
at OEM at this time even a 65cm frame cycle would come with a 38cm bar
such was the thinking of the day...
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tip on Ambrosio Champion bar -
pretty much any example you locate is likely to be a 38cm
at OEM at this time even a 65cm frame cycle would come with a 38cm bar
such was the thinking of the day...
-----
02-28-21, 12:05 PM
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I think it is less ridiculous than a 44. At least you are aero with 38s.
02-28-21, 12:19 PM
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The bar for the Frejus is on its way.
02-28-21, 01:20 PM
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Emmo Ghelfi, who founded the marque in 1896, actually chose to name his new bicycles not after a small town in France but in honor of the hundreds
of workers who lost their lives building the Frejus tunnel under the Alps, from Italy to France. A statue that commemorates them, which stands in the Piazza Statuto in Torino,
was right down the road from Ghelfi's shop and inspired him.
At least , as I read the history back when I obtained my '63 Super Corsa.
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02-28-21, 11:07 PM
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thanks so much for putting right me error!
in reading your post it dawned on me dull "braine" that you had to correct this error on me part once previously.
can recall looking at the archival photos of the Frejus Tunnel.
its wonderful that there are so many knowledgeable readers to correct me all too numerous mistakes! am an elderly duddy-fuddy with failing cognition and "memory."
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thanks so much for putting right me error!
in reading your post it dawned on me dull "braine" that you had to correct this error on me part once previously.
can recall looking at the archival photos of the Frejus Tunnel.
its wonderful that there are so many knowledgeable readers to correct me all too numerous mistakes! am an elderly duddy-fuddy with failing cognition and "memory."
-----
03-01-21, 09:47 AM
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If I may, Juvela:
Emmo Ghelfi, who founded the marque in 1896, actually chose to name his new bicycles not after a small town in France but in honor of the hundreds
of workers who lost their lives building the Frejus tunnel under the Alps, from Italy to France. A statue that commemorates them, which stands in the Piazza Statuto in Torino,
was right down the road from Ghelfi's shop and inspired him.
At least , as I read the history back when I obtained my '63 Super Corsa.
Emmo Ghelfi, who founded the marque in 1896, actually chose to name his new bicycles not after a small town in France but in honor of the hundreds
of workers who lost their lives building the Frejus tunnel under the Alps, from Italy to France. A statue that commemorates them, which stands in the Piazza Statuto in Torino,
was right down the road from Ghelfi's shop and inspired him.
At least , as I read the history back when I obtained my '63 Super Corsa.
-----
thanks so much for putting right me error!
in reading your post it dawned on me dull "braine" that you had to correct this error on me part once previously.
can recall looking at the archival photos of the Frejus Tunnel.
its wonderful that there are so many knowledgeable readers to correct me all too numerous mistakes! am an elderly duddy-fuddy with failing cognition and "memory."
-----
thanks so much for putting right me error!
in reading your post it dawned on me dull "braine" that you had to correct this error on me part once previously.
can recall looking at the archival photos of the Frejus Tunnel.
its wonderful that there are so many knowledgeable readers to correct me all too numerous mistakes! am an elderly duddy-fuddy with failing cognition and "memory."
-----
Brent
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03-02-21, 01:21 PM
#47
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Hubs
I’m having difficulty finding early to mid 50’s 120/100 Gran Sport (3 piece construction, it seems) hubs that I’d feel comfortable building and riding. Most seem to be pretty well used/wallowed and I shudder to imagine getting them to full tension. I think this is one area where I will draw the line - safety and functionality > historical accuracy (same with well used rims of similar age).
I’m increasingly on the “close to the right era, but NOS” boat for hubs/rims.
I am finding some NOS shells, and would need to source axle sets and caps/outside races (which is easier said than done).
Are there other hubs of the era that might be suitable?
Otherwise, I’m finding some NOS hubsets from the 60’s/70’s that should slot right in, and give me some piece of mind (since I plan to ride the bike, not display it).
Example below - I’m inclined to do something like this unless the NOS shell build-up is more feasible than I am finding.
Open to suggestions.
I’m increasingly on the “close to the right era, but NOS” boat for hubs/rims.
I am finding some NOS shells, and would need to source axle sets and caps/outside races (which is easier said than done).
Are there other hubs of the era that might be suitable?
Otherwise, I’m finding some NOS hubsets from the 60’s/70’s that should slot right in, and give me some piece of mind (since I plan to ride the bike, not display it).
Example below - I’m inclined to do something like this unless the NOS shell build-up is more feasible than I am finding.
Open to suggestions.
Last edited by canyoneagle; 03-02-21 at 01:31 PM.
03-02-21, 01:45 PM
#48
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hubs in image are way late, note the curved levers
earliest Tipos came with same skewers as Record model hubs, IIRC
before there were Tipos there was the Sportman model which, launched about 1961
less inappropriate timewise but still too late
VeloBase.com - Component: Campagnolo Sportman
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the Gran Sport is the correct hub here
strongly encourage you to wait and look rather than purchasing something later
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hubs in image are way late, note the curved levers
earliest Tipos came with same skewers as Record model hubs, IIRC
before there were Tipos there was the Sportman model which, launched about 1961
less inappropriate timewise but still too late
VeloBase.com - Component: Campagnolo Sportman
---
the Gran Sport is the correct hub here
strongly encourage you to wait and look rather than purchasing something later
-----
Last edited by juvela; 03-02-21 at 02:25 PM.
03-02-21, 01:54 PM
#49
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hubs in image are way late, note the curved levers
earliest Tipos came with same skewers as Record model hubs
before there were Tipos there was the Sportman model which, IIRC, launched about 1959
---
the Gran Sport is the correct hub here
strongly encourage you to wait and look rather than purchasing something later
-----
hubs in image are way late, note the curved levers
earliest Tipos came with same skewers as Record model hubs
before there were Tipos there was the Sportman model which, IIRC, launched about 1959
---
the Gran Sport is the correct hub here
strongly encourage you to wait and look rather than purchasing something later
-----
There's definitely no time crunch on this
03-02-21, 02:31 PM
#50
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in one of member non-fixie 's outstanding trip reports there is an image from a swap meet held in conjunction with a vintage ride event he attended
on one of the tables is a memorable photo of a vendor's display. on the table there are trays of parts for quality three-piece hubs divided up into flanges, barrels and axle sets
suspect that member amirinisrael would be able to share with you some sage counsel on this subject...
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in one of member non-fixie 's outstanding trip reports there is an image from a swap meet held in conjunction with a vintage ride event he attended
on one of the tables is a memorable photo of a vendor's display. on the table there are trays of parts for quality three-piece hubs divided up into flanges, barrels and axle sets
suspect that member amirinisrael would be able to share with you some sage counsel on this subject...
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