Fifty Plus (50+) - My new bike Part II

So when I bought mine my wife started cranking and wanted in on the action too. Here's what I got her. I'm thinking this one is about '83-'84 vintage based on the components. Am I close? We usually don't get snow here much before December so we should be able to get in some good miles until then.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/Legnano/Picture013.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/Legnano/Picture012.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/Legnano/Picture011.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/Legnano/Picture010.jpg

Very nice! The crankset looks like the 1980 Ofmega CX which came with my Bianchi, and the rear derailleur might be a Campagnolo 980 (reportedly so named because of its introduction date). You may be able to find date codes on the cranks, the derailleurs, or even the brake calipers.

For safety's sake, swap in some salmon KoolStop brake pads and low-compression brake cable housings.

If your wife has any trouble on hills, you can probably go to a slightly larger freewheel, perhaps up to 28T. The inner chainring is already at minimum size for your bolt circle diameter (144mm?), but if you swap in a compact double with a 110mm BCD, you could drop as low as 34T in front.

For a bike that old it looks well maintained- but Just a couple of points that will be pertinent to all old bikes that you do not know the history of.

Get the wheels into a wheel builder to get the spokes retensioned and the wheel trued. I have to do this every couple of years on my bikes so get them checked out before riding too far and having a problem occur.

And as John said- check the rubber. Not only the Brake blocks- The tyres and tubes aswell.

But Hope the wife enjoys the bike.

Wow! Really nice.

Thanks for all the comments. The crank is Legnano but if I'm not mistaken they were owned by Bianchi so it could very well be that. Derailleurs are Campagnolo Nuovo Record. It's actually better than well maintained, the entire bike is NOS, tires and brake pads are in like new condition.

Great find!