1948 Bianchi Folgore
12-06-18, 08:49 AM
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1948 Bianchi Folgore
So I still don't have enough posts to enable me to attach pics but I received my latest machine yesterday. An amateur restore with wrong decals but overall it presents nicely. Although I'm really a balloon tire collector I've always wanted an early Bianchi in celeste with the Cambio Corsa drivetrain. I need to find a set of period brake levers, get some cable and a new set of single tubes and I should be ready to roll. If the forum has a vintage Bianchi expert I sure would appreciate some help with the proper brake set-up--manufacturer and model as well as a good pic of what the head tube and seat post decals should look like and a source for these. Nothing on EBAy is correct and I've reached out to Gus Salmone but haven't heard anything yet. Thanks, Shawn
12-06-18, 12:04 PM
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I had no idea Bianchi used Celeste paint way back in 48!
I have no answers, but Ill give this a bump until an expert like Bianchigirl comes along.
I have no answers, but Ill give this a bump until an expert like Bianchigirl comes along.
12-06-18, 12:18 PM
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@Freqman1 keep replying to the post to get the posit count up... where did you find this, what is your plan etc break it up
@Bianchigirll heads up on what could be an interesting bike
@Bianchigirll heads up on what could be an interesting bike
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Last edited by squirtdad; 12-06-18 at 01:07 PM.
12-06-18, 01:14 PM
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The bike was found on EBay but didn't go the auction didn't go the distance. It came with both a chain guard that I have not seen before as well as mudguards. Looks like it may have lived in Vienna, Austria for a while. I plan on riding it! V/r Shawn
12-06-18, 01:33 PM
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Sweet bike! And welcome to BF!
12-06-18, 01:36 PM
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Yes this is the bike. It also came with a color matched set of guards. I should be able to post pics shortly. V/r Shawn
12-06-18, 02:01 PM
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Wow does that release the rear hub to allow it to move forward for shifting down? Curios as how you shift up.....other than stopping very cool
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
12-06-18, 02:19 PM
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Yes the top lever releases the rear wheel. You have to freewheel, release the top lever and momentarily pedal backwards while moving the lower level to the next gear. You might be able to see the dropouts have 'teeth' that enable this to happen. Kinda sketchy but you can Google "Cambio Corsa" and see how it shifts. V/r Shawn
12-06-18, 02:22 PM
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Several points:
1. Very cool!
2. You are a brave man, I think, to want to try that gear setup. I'm into funky old tech, but I have to draw the line somewhere.
3. Vienne is a town in France, near Lyon. And yes, there is a place there called "Place St Severe." Check it out on Google Maps!
4. If you want the perfect saddle for that bike, this was on ebay a couple years ag. As purchased:
After restoration:
I still have it. I figure the buyer will want it stained brown or black... or I could paint it celeste.
1. Very cool!
2. You are a brave man, I think, to want to try that gear setup. I'm into funky old tech, but I have to draw the line somewhere.
3. Vienne is a town in France, near Lyon. And yes, there is a place there called "Place St Severe." Check it out on Google Maps!
4. If you want the perfect saddle for that bike, this was on ebay a couple years ag. As purchased:
After restoration:
I still have it. I figure the buyer will want it stained brown or black... or I could paint it celeste.
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www.rhmsaddles.com.
12-07-18, 03:13 AM
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12-07-18, 01:02 PM
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Vienne is a town in Eastern France, Rhone Valley... My mother's birth town. Fab bike, just shows that although there's progress, the basics are still the same.
The former home of your Bike.
Just spotted the post from @rhm . Always late to the party...
The former home of your Bike.
Just spotted the post from @rhm . Always late to the party...
Last edited by MiloFrance; 12-07-18 at 01:08 PM.
12-07-18, 02:06 PM
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Very cool bike! That saddle by RHM would be a perfect saddle for it...
12-07-18, 03:53 PM
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Interesting to imagine this bike in this small town in France not long after the war. My general understanding is that most of Europe was just devastated at that time, and the Bianchi factory was bombed because it was a supplier to Italy. I wonder if bicycle production was continuous through that period. Must have been a well-to-do person to own it in that small town.
12-07-18, 11:02 PM
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One story I've heard about the genesis of the famous celeste color is it originated post-war from mixing military surplus white, green (maybe yellow?) and blue - the only paints readily available in that place at that time. It may be apocryphal, but I like it.
So 1948 would be around that time.
Even with the 'bad' resto, that's a very cool bike.
So 1948 would be around that time.
Even with the 'bad' resto, that's a very cool bike.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
12-08-18, 07:04 AM
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One story I've heard about the genesis of the famous celeste color is it originated post-war from mixing military surplus white, green (maybe yellow?) and blue - the only paints readily available in that place at that time. It may be apocryphal, but I like it.
So 1948 would be around that time.
Even with the 'bad' resto, that's a very cool bike.
So 1948 would be around that time.
Even with the 'bad' resto, that's a very cool bike.
Even Bianchi is unsure of the origin of the celeste color but it was introduced well before the war. Re: the resto; its not hideous but as someone who restores bikes I look at things a little more critically than others might. I don't intend to make this a show bike but something I can ride and have fun with. I just need to make a few minor corrections such as painting the head tube off-white as well as a band of off-white on the seat tube with the proper decals and a light color sand and polish. Then I call it done and ride! V/r Shawn
12-08-18, 08:21 AM
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Cool bike and the saddle will be the icing, let's see more pics when it comes in.
@juvela may have info, lately I believe he has been hanging in your neck of the woods.
@juvela may have info, lately I believe he has been hanging in your neck of the woods.
12-08-18, 09:30 AM
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Cool bike and the saddle will be the icing, let's see more pics when it comes in.
@juvela may have info, lately I believe he has been hanging in your neck of the woods.
@juvela may have info, lately I believe he has been hanging in your neck of the woods.
I actually contacted @juvela before I made the deal on this bike--he was of great help in me making up my mind to get this bike. Once I get everything sorted I'll post an update. V/r Shawn
12-08-18, 10:42 AM
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I need to find a set of period brake levers,
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