1961-62 Allegro Special Pista
05-23-22, 01:52 AM
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1961-62 Allegro Special Pista
So the other day, randomly scrolling through the local Buy/Sell app, I stumbled upon this beautiful bike. The components we’re unrecognizable from the pictures, I just noticed it was a lugged track frame & knew I had to have it knowing how uncommon they are. It was a pleasant surprise to arrive and see all the components up close!
Anyway, being the oldest bike I’ve ever had (older than my parents!) and unfamiliar with Allegro, I did extensive research. I’ve read every Allegro thread on this forum! Fortunately, I love to read/research as much as building and riding bikes so it worked out.
The owner told me a wonderful story about his father riding this bike at the Velodrome here in SoCal in the late 60’s-70’s and the Kemps.
Apparently at some point in the 80’s the bike was attached to an indoor trainer and then sat in the garage for 30+ years until I showed up to buy it with the trainer still attached.
According to the Allegro database, the serial number on the seat tube puts it’s manufacture date somewhere between 1961-1962.
It also appears to be completely original, all components except for the missing front wheel.
The plan is lots of cleaning & polishing, and get her back as close as possible to her former glory.
I have a pair of clean period-correct high flange Campy Record track wheels I’m picking up locally this week.Reynolds 531
BB grease-port on shell
Original Hand-painted pin-striping
Downtube Lettering is painted not decals
-Campagnolo fork dropouts
-Campagnolo frame dropouts
-Campagnolo Record seat post
-Campagnolo Pista 165mm crank (151 bcd)
-Campagnolo crank bolts/dust caps
-Campagnolo 46T Chainring
-Campagnolo Chainring bolts
-Campagnolo Record Pedals
-Campagnolo 16T Track Cog
-Campagnolo Axle Nuts
-Campagnolo BB assembly
-Campagnolo Headset
-Cinelli or 3T Stem (?)
-Titan (?) handlebars
-Bar Tape(?)
-Bar Ends(?)
-Brampton France track chain
-Christophe Toe Clips
-Alfredo Binda Leather Toe Straps
-Brooks Professional saddle
—————————————————-
Anyway, being the oldest bike I’ve ever had (older than my parents!) and unfamiliar with Allegro, I did extensive research. I’ve read every Allegro thread on this forum! Fortunately, I love to read/research as much as building and riding bikes so it worked out.
The owner told me a wonderful story about his father riding this bike at the Velodrome here in SoCal in the late 60’s-70’s and the Kemps.
Apparently at some point in the 80’s the bike was attached to an indoor trainer and then sat in the garage for 30+ years until I showed up to buy it with the trainer still attached.
According to the Allegro database, the serial number on the seat tube puts it’s manufacture date somewhere between 1961-1962.
It also appears to be completely original, all components except for the missing front wheel.
The plan is lots of cleaning & polishing, and get her back as close as possible to her former glory.
I have a pair of clean period-correct high flange Campy Record track wheels I’m picking up locally this week.Reynolds 531
BB grease-port on shell
Original Hand-painted pin-striping
Downtube Lettering is painted not decals
-Campagnolo fork dropouts
-Campagnolo frame dropouts
-Campagnolo Record seat post
-Campagnolo Pista 165mm crank (151 bcd)
-Campagnolo crank bolts/dust caps
-Campagnolo 46T Chainring
-Campagnolo Chainring bolts
-Campagnolo Record Pedals
-Campagnolo 16T Track Cog
-Campagnolo Axle Nuts
-Campagnolo BB assembly
-Campagnolo Headset
-Cinelli or 3T Stem (?)
-Titan (?) handlebars
-Bar Tape(?)
-Bar Ends(?)
-Brampton France track chain
-Christophe Toe Clips
-Alfredo Binda Leather Toe Straps
-Brooks Professional saddle
—————————————————-
Last edited by Yune_Garage; 05-23-22 at 12:56 PM.
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05-23-22, 05:49 AM
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That bike is beautiful and that is a heck of a score. The saddle is cracked and likely gone so you may need a replacement. Your plans sound good. I'd use the lightest possible cleaning agents for the paint.
Now that you have one bike older than your parents, what is your plans for a second C&V bike?
Now that you have one bike older than your parents, what is your plans for a second C&V bike?
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05-23-22, 08:10 AM
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Added to the Allegro database!
Truly STUNNING example! Bocama 14 type II lugs, too! This may be the single best preserved Allegro I can recall seeing from this era! This is a truly lovely machine, and quite a score! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Are there any date codes on the rear hub locknuts?
Truly STUNNING example! Bocama 14 type II lugs, too! This may be the single best preserved Allegro I can recall seeing from this era! This is a truly lovely machine, and quite a score! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Are there any date codes on the rear hub locknuts?
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05-23-22, 08:43 AM
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I agree with rustystrings, such wonderful condition. Polar opposite of mine.
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72 Bob Jackson -- 74 Motobecane Grand Jubile -- 74 Sekine SHS 271 -- 80 Nishiki International
85 Shogun 800 -- 86 Tommasini Super Prestige -- 92 Specialized Rockhopper -- 17 Colnago Arabesque
05-23-22, 09:43 AM
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05-23-22, 09:45 AM
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That bike is beautiful and that is a heck of a score. The saddle is cracked and likely gone so you may need a replacement. Your plans sound good. I'd use the lightest possible cleaning agents for the paint.
Now that you have one bike older than your parents, what is your plans for a second C&V bike?
Now that you have one bike older than your parents, what is your plans for a second C&V bike?
I have an early 80’s Centurion (older than me) that I’ve stripped down completely that will be getting work done. Nothing fancy but I always liked the two-tone Centurions so it should be fun. 👍🏼
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05-23-22, 09:49 AM
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Added to the Allegro database!
Truly STUNNING example! Bocama 14 type II lugs, too! This may be the single best preserved Allegro I can recall seeing from this era! This is a truly lovely machine, and quite a score! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Are there any date codes on the rear hub locknuts?
Truly STUNNING example! Bocama 14 type II lugs, too! This may be the single best preserved Allegro I can recall seeing from this era! This is a truly lovely machine, and quite a score! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Are there any date codes on the rear hub locknuts?
I haven’t had the chance. I did read all your Allegro comments in previous threads. Learned a bunch! I’ll take a look when I get home this afternoon and report back.
05-23-22, 10:01 AM
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I’m still trying to identify the stem and bars.
it looked identical to a Cinelli of that era however it’s missing the stamping and instead has a ‘Made In Italy’ decal. I’ve managed to loosen the stem, so it can be moved around but it won’t pull out from the head tube so I can see if there is any designation markings or dates.
Im guessing it’s not a quill type and its the expanding type (forget the proper name).
Side note: All the bearings, rear hub, BB, and headset were super smooth. Even the Campy pedals spun smoothly and the grease was still redish and tacky.
it looked identical to a Cinelli of that era however it’s missing the stamping and instead has a ‘Made In Italy’ decal. I’ve managed to loosen the stem, so it can be moved around but it won’t pull out from the head tube so I can see if there is any designation markings or dates.
Im guessing it’s not a quill type and its the expanding type (forget the proper name).
Side note: All the bearings, rear hub, BB, and headset were super smooth. Even the Campy pedals spun smoothly and the grease was still redish and tacky.
05-23-22, 10:28 AM
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The Pista cranks are minty considering they're 55+ years old. It’s amazing really.
Unfortunately, there’s a fine scratch over the Campy logo on the drive-side arm and there are areas where the leather toe straps buffed and polished the crank arms to a mirror finish Im guessing from use, but no deep scoring or nicks anywhere.
Even the chainring teeth!
They’re mint, with no wear or chain indentation.
Unfortunately, there’s a fine scratch over the Campy logo on the drive-side arm and there are areas where the leather toe straps buffed and polished the crank arms to a mirror finish Im guessing from use, but no deep scoring or nicks anywhere.
Even the chainring teeth!
They’re mint, with no wear or chain indentation.
05-23-22, 10:49 AM
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The new WRX is very nice! Im still getting used to the fender arches (Has a more Rally look) but I almost got one back when I was deciding to get an Abarth or not. 👍🏼
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05-23-22, 12:00 PM
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I’m still trying to identify the stem and bars.
it looked identical to a Cinelli of that era however it’s missing the stamping and instead has a ‘Made In Italy’ decal. I’ve managed to loosen the stem, so it can be moved around but it won’t pull out from the head tube so I can see if there is any designation markings or dates.
Im guessing it’s not a quill type and its the expanding type (forget the proper name).
Side note: All the bearings, rear hub, BB, and headset were super smooth. Even the Campy pedals spun smoothly and the grease was still redish and tacky.
it looked identical to a Cinelli of that era however it’s missing the stamping and instead has a ‘Made In Italy’ decal. I’ve managed to loosen the stem, so it can be moved around but it won’t pull out from the head tube so I can see if there is any designation markings or dates.
Im guessing it’s not a quill type and its the expanding type (forget the proper name).
Side note: All the bearings, rear hub, BB, and headset were super smooth. Even the Campy pedals spun smoothly and the grease was still redish and tacky.
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05-23-22, 01:37 PM
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as you are sure to have learned from your reading the frame's lug pattern is BOCAMA 14/II
the bottom bracket shell is Georg Fischer
possible this latter may exhibit a "GF" marking on the underside or a "+GF+" marking
the crown may be a Fischer model was well, do not recognise it
if it is it may be marked on the underside
the cycle's spokes are by Wippermann of Germany -
might be interesting to check to see if the manufacturer fitted the machine with a Wippermann drive chain as well
the inner faces of the rear hub's axle nuts will give a date confirming marking -
beautiful job you are doing there with a beautiful machine!
-----
05-23-22, 01:45 PM
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-----
as you are sure to have learned from your reading the frame's lug pattern is BOCAMA 14/II
the bottom bracket shell is Georg Fischer
possible this latter may exhibit a "GF" marking on the underside or a "+GF+" marking
the crown may be a Fischer model was well, do not recognise it
if it is it may be marked on the underside
the cycle's spokes are by Wippermann of Germany -
might be interesting to check to see if the manufacturer fitted the machine with a Wippermann drive chain as well
the inner faces of the rear hub's axle nuts will give a date confirming marking -
beautiful job you are doing there with a beautiful machine!
-----
as you are sure to have learned from your reading the frame's lug pattern is BOCAMA 14/II
the bottom bracket shell is Georg Fischer
possible this latter may exhibit a "GF" marking on the underside or a "+GF+" marking
the crown may be a Fischer model was well, do not recognise it
if it is it may be marked on the underside
the cycle's spokes are by Wippermann of Germany -
might be interesting to check to see if the manufacturer fitted the machine with a Wippermann drive chain as well
the inner faces of the rear hub's axle nuts will give a date confirming marking -
beautiful job you are doing there with a beautiful machine!
-----
I noticed the chain it had on it was stamped ‘Brampton France’
A little stiff but not in bad shape considering the age!
I’ll definitely take a look at the axle cones for dates as well.
Btw the BB shell does have some markings but I’m unable to identify it due to wear but I’ll snap a picture to be sure.
05-23-22, 01:46 PM
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Some light hand polishing of the forks reveals some shine!
BEFORE————————AFTER
BEFORE————————AFTER
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