randyjawa 

Though not positive, I am pretty sure that this is my ninth Torpado, several LUXE models, one lesser model and a Torpado Super Racing or something like that. Anyway, I could not resist this little used and nicely upgraded Torpado LUXE today. The bike is in great shape, the chrome near perfect and pretty close to original, except for the saddle and brake levers. Though not original, the bike also came fitted with a lovely set of 700c alloy quick release wheels and good 700c x 28 gumwall tires. Neither the seat post nor stem is stuck. The one issue seems to be common with similar Torpados - a too small seat post. Anyway, my newest and very unneeded project...


Lucky for me, I have a nice set of Universal levers and even a set of new hoods...


The all chrome frame will shine up like a new penny (remember those?)...


Though a problem ridden transmission, I am happy to have a complete Gian Robert set of deraillers and shifters...


Why did the guys or gals at Torpado insist on including an undersized seat post. Several Torpados have come my way fitted with the too small saddle support...


I could not believe that the bike was fitted with this wheel set. Usually one gets steel hubs, with nuts or wing nuts and steel rims. Lucky me, this set is close to awesome...


Ya just gotta love the windowed lug work...


REG brake cable guides are original issue...


Something to play with tomorrow. Ye haaaa!

iab

I had one of those. Shiny bikes are awesome. Mine was too small.

randyjawa 

As Goldielocks said - "this one is just right." Luck was with me today.

Pcampeau

I have a few chrome bikes but I’ve never had a shiny chrome penny before. You’re really making me appreciate Torpados though. I assume you’re not painting this one so I’m looking to seeing what you’ll be doing with it. Any ideas yet?

randyjawa 

The "shiny as a new penny" is a very old saying intended to suggest great "bling". And for what it is worth, I actually have a silver penny or two, that I found in a bag of vintage coins when treasure hunting at the dump this summer...



I really have no room to store the bike and just finished restoring another Torpado which I am having a lot of fun riding...


The all chrome Torpado. I bought yesterday, is higher end model than the one I just finished building. My newest acquisition is more than road worthy and safe to ride "as found". But I really don't need another Italian road bike and I just might offer it for sale in the Bike Forums For Sale forum, dust and all ("as found"), for a couple of hundred bucks, to Bike Forums members. It would make me feel good to help someone else acquire such a nice old road bike, fancy wheels and all.

If I don't sell the bike, I will refurbish it completely (meaning full disassembled inspection, lubrication, cables and handlebar tape) and ride it just about "as is" with three exceptions. I will install original Universal brake levers with NOS hoods, SPD pedals and an alloy indexed seat post of proper size, just like the one I recently installed on my most recently built up Torpado, pictured above. I might even throw the better of two recently acquired BIM leather saddles on the bike..

oneclick 

Check that 1943 penny with a magnet, most were made with zinc-plated steel. A very few were struck on silver, they are mint errors, and they sell for thousands of dollars.

Silver coins sound different - drop one on a tile floor and do the same with one of today's and you'll KNOW what money is supposed to sound like.

Kabuki12

You have a way with these Torpado! I can’t wait to see what you do with it, keep us posted. Are those Panaracer tires on this one? They look new.

randyjawa 

Yes, the tires are Panaracers (700c x 28 - my preferred size these days) and in great shape. My guess is the original owner (I am the second owner) had them installed not long ago and then rode the bike very little. It was his son who sold me the bike, after his dad had passed away....

I started cleaning the bike today and that chrome does shine like a new penny, even if that silver penny is nothing more than zinc plated.