A 1940s Bianchi Folgore followed me home
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A 1940s Bianchi Folgore followed me home
I’m not sure why 1940’s bikes are following me home, but this is the 3rd in the last few months.
It’s a rust bucket, but it’s also pretty damn cool. Looks mostly original except for the derailleurs (should be a Cambio Corsa) the DS crank/chainring (the NDS is the Bianchi crank), and of course the seat.
Any help in narrowing down the year would be appreciated.
I’m not sure what the plan is yet. I’m pretty sure I’m going to clean it up, see if the seat post and stem come out, and put a Campy Gran Sport drive train on it. Then I’ll decide if I find the missing parts and pieces.
S/N B219019
The head tube paint is the best paint. Brakes look original.
At least the rear hub wasn’t swapped out.
It’s a rust bucket, but it’s also pretty damn cool. Looks mostly original except for the derailleurs (should be a Cambio Corsa) the DS crank/chainring (the NDS is the Bianchi crank), and of course the seat.
Any help in narrowing down the year would be appreciated.
I’m not sure what the plan is yet. I’m pretty sure I’m going to clean it up, see if the seat post and stem come out, and put a Campy Gran Sport drive train on it. Then I’ll decide if I find the missing parts and pieces.
S/N B219019
The head tube paint is the best paint. Brakes look original.
At least the rear hub wasn’t swapped out.
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I have no idea about the year but that is cool! I can't wait to see what you do with it!
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being no help at all https://www.ebay.com/itm/125703230669
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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)
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being no help at all https://www.ebay.com/itm/125703230669
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in case it be of any interest member bulgie made a study of the Bianchi and Bianchi-Campagnolo integral headsets here -
Bianchi Specialissima and Gran Sport headsets
your plan sounds a wise one to put it running first with roughly period bits which are somewhat plausible and wait for the Cambio Corsa to make an appearance on your screen
the Yoshi spoke protector should be banished to the Kuriles post haste
Folgore is Italian for lightning and during the second big go round the Regia Aeronautica had a fighter aircraft in service from the maker Macchi by this name -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macchi_C.202_Folgore
another couple thunderbolts discussed here -
https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/cr...ianchi.175897/
https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/bi...e-1948.143932/
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weather inquiry -
how be matters on the domestic peace and tranquilitude front at present?
---
this, when combined with the recently arrived limers should keep ye busy for a time
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please give our best to Capn Jonny when next you meet
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in case it be of any interest member bulgie made a study of the Bianchi and Bianchi-Campagnolo integral headsets here -
Bianchi Specialissima and Gran Sport headsets
your plan sounds a wise one to put it running first with roughly period bits which are somewhat plausible and wait for the Cambio Corsa to make an appearance on your screen
the Yoshi spoke protector should be banished to the Kuriles post haste
Folgore is Italian for lightning and during the second big go round the Regia Aeronautica had a fighter aircraft in service from the maker Macchi by this name -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macchi_C.202_Folgore
another couple thunderbolts discussed here -
https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/cr...ianchi.175897/
https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/bi...e-1948.143932/
---
weather inquiry -
how be matters on the domestic peace and tranquilitude front at present?
---
this, when combined with the recently arrived limers should keep ye busy for a time
-----
please give our best to Capn Jonny when next you meet
-----
Last edited by juvela; 01-30-24 at 02:22 PM. Reason: addition
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B204073 and B219242 are dated 1948 on the RSC site. 15 teeth on the dropout? What are the rims?
The mod39 levers are nice, hard to find bits. Crank is pretty accessible on ebay.it. Also I saw a CC for 340 euro recently there. Not a terrible price.
The mod39 levers are nice, hard to find bits. Crank is pretty accessible on ebay.it. Also I saw a CC for 340 euro recently there. Not a terrible price.
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cerchi appear MAVIC in this image -
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cerchi appear MAVIC in this image -
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Yes, 15 teeth.
Yeah, I'm figuring it will about $500-$700+ to get the crank, freewheel, and the CC. Having just bought a Sturmey Archer ASC Hub and shifter plus some Chater Lea parts I'm getting used to the prices on these esoteric 40's parts (I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing). The bike is on the small side for me, so I need to decide if I want to go all-in.
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Thanks for the info on the other 2. I couldn't find any information on line and also some different S/N formats. I thought it was later (post '45) since the MAVIC rims look original. I just learned that in the 40's the brake tracks had some texture and also that MAVIC changed their logo in '45.
Yes, 15 teeth.
Yeah, I'm figuring it will about $500-$700+ to get the crank, freewheel, and the CC. Having just bought a Sturmey Archer ASC Hub and shifter plus some Chater Lea parts I'm getting used to the prices on these esoteric 40's parts (I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing). The bike is on the small side for me, so I need to decide if I want to go all-in.
Yes, 15 teeth.
Yeah, I'm figuring it will about $500-$700+ to get the crank, freewheel, and the CC. Having just bought a Sturmey Archer ASC Hub and shifter plus some Chater Lea parts I'm getting used to the prices on these esoteric 40's parts (I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing). The bike is on the small side for me, so I need to decide if I want to go all-in.
And technically, with the 15 teeth, you could put on a 5-speed. No more than 8-teeth difference though, like a 14-22.
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I also confirmed both the seat post and stem will come out. So that big question is behind me.
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Yeah. I haven't seen any pictures of others with a chrome fork. The fork does look period correct and I didn't see any damage on the down tube (front end crash causing a fork issue). One I get the fork off I'll see if there is a S/N or other marking.
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The fork has the correct fork crown. And a fully chromed fork with paint was typical. I suspect someone removed the paint that was once there.
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I'd love to see the Flintstones tool they used to stamp that serial number.
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My collection: 1947 Ciclo Piave, 1955 Liberia, 1969 Colnago Super, 1972 Legnano Olimpiade Record Specialissima, 1980 Mercian Vincitore, 1983 Gitane Interclub, 1985 Peugeot PGN10, 1986 Bianchi Vittoria, 1987 De Rosa Professional, 1989 Vitus 979, 1990 Bianchi Axis, 1990 Specialized Sirrus, 2001 Colnago Dream B-Stay, 2007 Trek 1000
My collection: 1947 Ciclo Piave, 1955 Liberia, 1969 Colnago Super, 1972 Legnano Olimpiade Record Specialissima, 1980 Mercian Vincitore, 1983 Gitane Interclub, 1985 Peugeot PGN10, 1986 Bianchi Vittoria, 1987 De Rosa Professional, 1989 Vitus 979, 1990 Bianchi Axis, 1990 Specialized Sirrus, 2001 Colnago Dream B-Stay, 2007 Trek 1000
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I mocked it up today and it was just too small. As much as I wanted to make it work I decided to find it a new home. It's now on its way to a fellow BF member.
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Sorry it was too small, but I trust you found a good home for it. Smiles, MH
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Man, this is going to be a fun project for someone! Best of luck to the new owner...
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Me too. I really wanted to make it fit. At one point I took a step back and said "every other bike you've had that was this smell, you sold, because it didn't fit". Yes, I believe I found a great home for it.