1970s racing bike?
03-12-21, 06:48 PM
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1970s racing bike?
I got this bike from a neighbor in the 90's.
He had recently moved to Eugene OR from New Zealand and brought the bike with him. He said he thought it was a racing bike from the 70's.
I rode it a handful of times about 20 years ago and then it's been hanging in my garage ever since.
Three different times I've ridden it and been stopped at a store, overlook, stoplight and gotten comments on it like, "nice bike", "wow, don't sell that" or people wanting to look a little closer at it. Were people pulling my leg b/c it's a POS? I do feel like it has nice (old) features like the Brooks saddle, campi components etc., but leery of the accolades.
There are NO obvious marks on the frame to help with identification that I could find.
I took it to a local shop and the one dude (covid capacity bouncer) that looked at it said word for word, "yeah, dunno, maybe Japanese" after giving it the once over.
Happy to provide specific pics if you think there is a mark somewhere that would help and didn't get captured in a photo.
Because I haven't posted 10 times, I can't attach photos so they are here: http://bikeforums.net/g/album/19061204#
Thank you!
He had recently moved to Eugene OR from New Zealand and brought the bike with him. He said he thought it was a racing bike from the 70's.
I rode it a handful of times about 20 years ago and then it's been hanging in my garage ever since.
Three different times I've ridden it and been stopped at a store, overlook, stoplight and gotten comments on it like, "nice bike", "wow, don't sell that" or people wanting to look a little closer at it. Were people pulling my leg b/c it's a POS? I do feel like it has nice (old) features like the Brooks saddle, campi components etc., but leery of the accolades.
There are NO obvious marks on the frame to help with identification that I could find.
I took it to a local shop and the one dude (covid capacity bouncer) that looked at it said word for word, "yeah, dunno, maybe Japanese" after giving it the once over.
Happy to provide specific pics if you think there is a mark somewhere that would help and didn't get captured in a photo.
Because I haven't posted 10 times, I can't attach photos so they are here: http://bikeforums.net/g/album/19061204#
Thank you!
03-12-21, 07:44 PM
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pic assist
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03-12-21, 07:55 PM
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That saddle looks dangerous. The bike has issues but yes it’s a quality bike. It looks to be Italian with that seat lug. That’s a magistroni crank, right? Those campy derailleurs likely mean the bike is from the 60s or earlier. Campy gran sport was made until the 60s I believe. I like the ambrosia bar and stem. This might be an Olmo
Last edited by bikemig; 03-13-21 at 05:47 AM.
03-12-21, 11:12 PM
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Agree looks Italian and likely Olmo.
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03-13-21, 10:02 AM
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A very nice early Italian quality bike . As far as a racer , it could be , but Usually not with eyelets on the dropouts. Not to say it couldn't be raced though. Whatever it is , I am certain someone on this forum will know. There are some amazing bike historians here. It looks rough as far as cosmetics go, that might be a good thing. A few mechanical issues that are easily resolved , mainly cleaning and perhaps cables and shifter work(missing bar end lever for front derailleur) and definitely a new seat. Patina bikes are cool!
Last edited by Kabuki12; 03-13-21 at 10:06 AM.
03-13-21, 10:57 AM
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Looks to be a early 60's Sports Light Touring model likely only 5 speed rear original looks to never have had a front DR which helps dating RD is from 60's and no front dates early than the mid 60's.
Last edited by zukahn1; 03-13-21 at 11:01 AM.
03-13-21, 02:55 PM
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I agree that this looks a lot like a late 50s or early sixties Olmo. The style of downtube cable clamp and the evidence of the earlier presence of chainring bolts led me to believe that this bike did originally have a front derailleur. Many Italian racing bikes of this era had eyelets on the dropouts for rainy season fenders. Looks like there was chrome before the repaint. A top-of-the-line bike I believe, similar to this one:
I'm sure @juvela will be along in a while to further enlighten us.
Brent
I'm sure @juvela will be along in a while to further enlighten us.
Brent
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03-13-21, 03:42 PM
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03-13-21, 11:16 PM
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To note the wheels freewheel and bar end shifter are later manufacture and not original but very nice.
03-14-21, 05:17 PM
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You all are so amazing! Thank you so much! It definitely looks like those Olmo in the pictures. Gives me inspiration to do something more than look at it hanging in the garage. It's a little big for me, but maybe a fun fixer project.
03-14-21, 08:05 PM
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With all the clamp on cable guides, Campy dropouts, 5 speed and, a very interesting bolted cottered crank........ it's old. (Wish I could get a closer look at the bar end shifters). I think the wheels & quick release levers are not original. My guess is mid 1960's Italian. Be good. Have fun.
03-15-21, 10:52 AM
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If the hub barrels have the Campagnolo globe emblem on them but do not have the wording "Record" on them, they are probably original to the bike. If you take off the axle lock nuts you will find a date code on the inner face of the nut which will give you a good idea of the year the bike was assembled.
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03-15-21, 11:56 AM
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That came to mind to me as well.
later 50's, there are a few things that might point in the right direction.
The bike has value, but there is much to be done, and plenty of items when opened up like the hubs and bottom bracket could cause grief.
Not a goldmine, not something to set out to the trash.
wild saddle position. good seat post.
if you are tall, like 6' or more, then a case to revive it can be made.
later 50's, there are a few things that might point in the right direction.
The bike has value, but there is much to be done, and plenty of items when opened up like the hubs and bottom bracket could cause grief.
Not a goldmine, not something to set out to the trash.
wild saddle position. good seat post.
if you are tall, like 6' or more, then a case to revive it can be made.
03-16-21, 04:45 PM
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agree with others that it looks like it may be an Olmo
early 1960's is the latest possible date
more likely 1950's era
if an Olmo serial will be marked on the seat lug in the format LNNN (letter, number, number, number)
Campag hub axle locknuts will be marked with a date on their inner faces
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agree with others that it looks like it may be an Olmo
early 1960's is the latest possible date
more likely 1950's era
if an Olmo serial will be marked on the seat lug in the format LNNN (letter, number, number, number)
Campag hub axle locknuts will be marked with a date on their inner faces
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03-17-21, 12:54 PM
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Edit: shifters. They are both there, so it def had a front derailleur at one point.
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