Classic & Vintage - Grandis Speciale

One of my friends had his eyes on a Lambretta scooter and when expressed an interest in purchasing it, I offered to provide a new and lasting home for his much beloved Grandis. After a brief negotiation (uh, OK, how long do I have to get the money") we agreed conditions of the sale. Thanks to several BF members, I sold off and scrounged enough to make it happen.

It may be a while before I can get 'er cleaned up, so I thought a few teasers were in order. TT is 57, ST is 58 so it fits me perfectly and the fork is fine.. so FAHGETTABOUTIT NAHBAH!

I won't know how it rides till I lose 20 lbs. :notamused:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5454107307_7e89b8420a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52448896@N08/5454107307/)
6 017 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52448896@N08/5454107307/) by barnstormerbikes (http://www.flickr.com/people/52448896@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5454108463_c7d552b3e6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52448896@N08/5454108463/)
6 024 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52448896@N08/5454108463/) by barnstormerbikes (http://www.flickr.com/people/52448896@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5454720538_0ff2db69c6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52448896@N08/5454720538/)
6 025 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52448896@N08/5454720538/) by barnstormerbikes (http://www.flickr.com/people/52448896@N08/), on Flickr

More picks after a good bath. Enjoy!

What a great way to start the day.

I'll look forward to more pics and a gruppo/ride discussion.

Is your Grandis Speciale Columbus SL?

What a great way to start the day.

I'll look forward to more pics and a gruppo/ride discussion.

Is your Grandis Speciale Columbus SL?

Indeed, it is.

Indeed, it is.

I won't post pics of my son's Grandis quite yet.

It was filthy upon receipt, after sitting in a garage for the last fifteen years on a hook.

It is a very light blue frame color, with the designation "Super Leggera" on the top tube.

It needs to be totally rebuilt as the rubber has disintegrated and I'm sure the bearings are bone dry.

FWIW I have a couple of SL framed bikes and I love the ride.

Also, those who have seen me lately know I'm no lightweight.

You might be able to sneak in a little test ride. :)

Frank,

Beautiful! I'm glad this purchase worked out for you! Can't wait to stop by to see it in person.

On another note: It could very well warm up enough to go for a decent ride today! Yahoo! We'll just need fenders to keep all the melting winter slop off of us!

Beautiful bike Frank. It's nice to see it go to a good home !

Very classy! Love that fork crown detail and pantographing.

we could start our own little club...you have a great bike, and will love it, for sure. mine feels the same way your foot feels when you put on a track shoe

Nice score Frank! Glad I could help;)

looks very similar to mine, exact same paint job. Does it have the engraved head badge? I always thought that was a nice touch. You'll love the way it rides!

same way your foot feels when you put on a track shoeAngry and frightened?

More picks after a good bath. Enjoy!
We don't care what you smell like. we just want more photos ASAP!:troll:

Yowza, that's an incredible bike. I need to find friends with untouched collectible vintage bikes lying around...

Very cool Frank...Love the fork crown and stem pantos.

BTW...What model Lammy was your friend buying???

A couple of nice build features of many vintage Grandis bikes not shown in these photos are the curved brake bridge - common on bikes from the UK but not those from Italy - and the extended tang on the BB shell that was a nifty braze-on piece. Grandis bikes are very elegant in a way I for some reason associate with Veneto builders, and show the kind of distinctive, thoughtful build and design touches that reward close perusal rather than exemplifying the "hey, look at me!" style of many other bikes (and don't get me wrong, those have their place, too). The engraved headbadge is coo, too.

Angry and frightened?

that's it!!

Beautiful bike, Frank. I love Grandis - they don't pop up very often and they have some superlatively understated workmanship. They're way underrated, too.

I, for one, am looking forward to more photos of this lovely machine!

DD

top for beauty.

I had one that I bought for my wife...same color, gorgeous...fantastic workmanship. Someday I hope to find one that fits me. The wife's went to the gentleman who posted above (she didn't like it).

This is slightly newer Grandis from the early 90's that I have built up with more modern componentry. I built up a similar one with Campagnolo Record 9-speed for one of my neighbors and he absolutely loves the bike. The frame is built up with Columbus Genius tubing which combines many of the attributes of Max tubing together with light weight. I have never ridden this bike as I keep toying with selling it and I do have many other bikes to choose from when going out for a ride.

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Plus a few more photos:

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Very nice bike. I like the lug work.

That bike has a sweet stance.. Looks like its eager to get going. Love bikes like that.

I can't wait to get mine out for a spin. I just am not going out with water and salt all over the roads. I have about three more weeks I figure.