gpdave

Hello all , haven't posted in a while.
I just picked up an old Italian bike with a name I am not familiar with.
It is marked NOVA and says Nova milano on the headbadge.
The cranks are marked Frejus as is the front hub.
I was not able to find anything about this marque on the net.
Has anybody heard of this one?
There isn't much original left on it but I was curious so I bought it. Here are some pics

gpdave

Sorry meant to say Nova Torino

dmarkun

Can't help you with any info, but I love chartreuse bikes, especially with red: Frejus, Legnano, R. International. And the liqueur is not bad either.

juvela

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frame -

constructed with Agrati lug ensemble "BRIANZA" ART. 000.8030/U including crown & shell

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kitting -

headset Agrati (cannot see well enough for model ID)

chainset Way-Assauto

pedals Sheffield model 663 in zinc finish, also made in chrome finish

original gear ensemble Simplex Prestige Criterium Nr. AR532P/NI

brakeset Balilla Corsa 61 (with first generation levers)

the five-piece steel front hub with the FREJUS marking may be an Agrati Sport model Nr. 000.9011

rear wheel is a replacement

(stem, bar, saddle, shift levers, front mech, downtube cable stop not original)

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date - 1962-64

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Bozzi did a spot of contract work once upon a time...

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gpdave

Thanks for the info juvela.
So the Simplex RD could be original?
Any guesses on what bars and stem it could have had?

juvela

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yes on rear mech

one possible stem/bar set could have been an Ambrosio I-beam alloy



wrap would have been Gaslo -




conceivable that handlebar end caps could have been FREJUS marked Gaslo -



or perhaps REG (Rampinelli) Nr. 273 plastic caps would have been more likely -





cycle likely to have been factory equipped with a conventional leather saddle; possible brand names include Italia, Record, Rosa

clip may have borne saddle name as well...


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PS -

count yourself most fortunate that the spring clips on the cycle's Balilla brake lever quick release mechanism appear to be in good nick

most of the used levers of this type i find have broken spring clips


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gpdave

I began disassembling and cleaning up the bike last night and found that the Simplex RD is broken. Not surprising I guess for a 60 year old plastic part.
I have a Huret Svelto set up that I was thinking of replacing it with. Any thoughts?

juvela

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launch year for the Huret Svelto was 1963 so it is period plausible for the cycle

if you wish to think of the machine as being pre-1966 the companion front mech would have been the Allvit 600 model

if you think of the bicycle as being 1966 or later the companion front could be the Luxe 700 model

correct shift lever set for the gear ensemble would be Nr. 1882

manufacturer catalogue pages of 1966 -

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this kit came fitted to a great many cycles during the 1960's so any bits you do not have should be gettable at little cost from venues such as dumps, junk yards, bike co-ops & suchlike


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gpdave

Thanks again juvela!
I have a 700 series that I will put on but I think I 'll keep an eye open for the 600.
I have the shifters as well, they all came off a Juenet that was in really rough condition.

Bad Lag

Wouldn't something like a Campagnolo Valentino be more appropriate (Italian).

gpdave

Not a bad idea but I think the Svelto is a little closer in age to the bike and it came with a French deraileur originally.
But most importantly I already have a Svelto set.