SwimmerMike 

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.

Kabuki12

I have no idea about the year but that is cool! I can't wait to see what you do with it!

squirtdad

being no help at all https://www.ebay.com/itm/125703230669

SwimmerMike 

I was thinking of starting a GoFundMe site for this bike and the Hetchins that showed up in the fall. These 1940's parts are a bit more that the 1970's Campagnolo ones that I'm used to.

juvela

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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?

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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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SwimmerMike 

I just saw the Cap'n a week ago. I donated some parts to the SVBE and he donated a few to me for the Hetchins. I didn't think to ask if he had a Cambio Corsa.....

iab

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.

juvela

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cerchi appear MAVIC in this image -

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SwimmerMike 

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.

iab

I'll be at a swap in Milan on the 15th. If you decide to go all in, I'm happy to look for you.

And technically, with the 15 teeth, you could put on a 5-speed. No more than 8-teeth difference though, like a 14-22.

SwimmerMike 

I'll let you know. The bike is definitely on the small size for me so I need to get it ridable then see if I can make is close enough to justify keeping it.


I also confirmed both the seat post and stem will come out. So that big question is behind me.

konakai

Very cool find, dont remember chrome fork on these. I think the bike will clean up well

SwimmerMike 

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.

konakai

Very cool find, dont remember chrome fork on these. I think the bike will clean up well

konakai

Excuse the double post. What are the rims and hubs

iab

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.

konakai

I believe theirs a correct crankset on ebay for 199

albrt 

I'd love to see the Flintstones tool they used to stamp that serial number.

SwimmerMike 

The rims are MAVIC. They look like they are original and in good condition. The hubs are campy branded CC hubs. I had to clean off the rust to see what logo was on them.

aceves 

Great score SwimmerMike! Looking forward to seeing it all freshened up!

aceves

Brad L 

I can sympathize. My 1947 Ciclo Piave was found with many updated, 70s-80s parts, but fortunately the Cambio Corsa bits were 99% there (it has a few Allen head nuts on the mounts). Worse is someone added cable guides and bottle cage bosses. I’ve found most all I need to put it right, such as an Ambrosio stem and bar, Piave labeled Magistroni headset and bottom bracket, Universal 39 brakes and levers, etc. The last remaining parts to be found are adjusters for the Mod 39 levers. Once I have everything I need, it goes to frame builder Hans Schneider to have the guides and bosses removed and new paint.

SwimmerMike 

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.

Mad Honk 

Sorry it was too small, but I trust you found a good home for it. Smiles, MH

bibliobob

Man, this is going to be a fun project for someone! Best of luck to the new owner...

SwimmerMike 

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.