wearyourtruth

my parents neighbors have some failing health issues. the husband has pretty bad Alzheimer's and the wife has her own share of medical issues, so they have decided to move into an assisted living center. consequently, they have a whole house full of stuff that can't go with them, and have been letting the neighbors take what they need. my brother-in-law got a lot of lawn equipment, and i got this, a (as best i can tell) 1957 Welter road bike.



it has period-correct Campagnolo Gran Sport shifters and derailleurs, Universal brakes, a Magistroni BB, FB crank (made by Magistroni perhaps?), campagnolo dropouts. unfortunately the neighbors' mental condition is really too far gone for them to tell me much of the history of the bike, but it looks it's just been hanging in his garage for a long time, though well ridden in it's day. It has the serial number 57111 and "1957" on the down tube. I have plans to clear coat the frame (i love the current state of wear) and clean up everything else. i was able to get it in rideable condition by running new cables, brake pads, a little lube, and borrowing another wheel set. the original wheels are in good shape, but the sew up tires are shot, and i will have to find new ones.

Here is what i have been able to learn so far, but any other information about the company or any of the components is much appreciated! Welter was apparently an Italian builder that perhaps made mid-high end frames, but was at some point bought out by a company Garlatti that began producing gas pipe bikes under the same name. I am under the impression this happened in the 70's, maybe 60's? another source said "now a mostly unknown marque, in the 1947 Giro team riders Giulio Bresci, Ezio Cecchi, and Alfredo Martini placed third, fourth, and sixth amongst Coppi, Bartali and Sylvère Maes in the final general classification."

anyway, here's some cell-phone shots, i'll break out the nice camera once i get it fully cleaned up.

wearyourtruth

marley mission

totally dig bikes like this with all that wear
you're right - its so unfortunate that you cant get that personal history with the bike but its still way cool - hope you can ride and enjoy

edit - crank shot my favorite of the pics thus far
and the handlebar stem - mmmmm nice

photogravity

I don't think I've heard of Welter either until now. As far as the bike, I'm betting with a little cleanup and TLC that you'll find it to be a very enjoyable bike. Please post pictures once you've cleaned it up as I'd love to see the end result on this one!

RubberLegs

Cool! Indeed, a lifetime's story of patina...one wonders what roads it has travelled

Otis

Very cool bike. I would not be surprised if that was built by Fiorelli and branded for a store or importer? I would definitely keep it in its original state and just make it mechanically sound as you have been doing.

clasher

Spring cleaning has been nice to folks around these boards lately, I'm loving it!

JohnDThompson 

Looks nice, definitely a keeper! Rather than clear-coating, I'd just clean the surface and wax it.

dbakl

Very cool! The Major Taylor stem seems unusual for an Italian bike.

rootboy 

My. Open C levers and all. Splendid old bike. You have a real treasure there.
It's amazing those brake hoods look that good. Or did you add those?

rootboy 

tread very lightly.

bibliobob

One of the coolest bikes to come through the Forums in a while. Seems that the older bikes are never in the bigger sizes, so that's a pretty rare find. Thanks much for sharing. Kudos to you for keeping the paint original as well!

look566 rider

Very cool, old bike.

I don't think I would clear coat or even clean her up that much. Maybe knock down the old grease and true dirt. But leave all the rust and rough paint. I'm sure at best this will be a fair weather ride and not see any wet conditions.

She will only be original once! The patina shows much history and use.

dbakl

Hmm, I'd have no problem with removing the rust... a little steel wool and an oily rag.

iab

I like it.

As others have mentioned, the components confirm the 1957 date. Open C levers, cable adjustment screw on the RD (there could be an open C on the backside of the RD). Pedals look like Sheffield Sprints. Universal 51 brakes. If the bars are aluminum, likely Ambrosio. Or a replacement because that stem is a odd duck for the bike. Also, I think FB made their own cranks.

Also as other have pointed out, cleaning and a wax (car wax) would be better than a clear. Unless of course you plan to ride it a lot in the rain, otherwise clear is overkill.

rootboy 

Yes. And it just won't look right. All shiny, etc. Plus, you never know what the solvents in the clear, depending on what it is, might do to those decals, what's left of them.

Velognome 

Very nice. It's amazing what treasures rest in basments and attics.

wearyourtruth

the universal hoods are a replacement... the old ones practically crumbled off.

as for maintaining the condition of the frame... i was thinking clear coating because the paint scratches SOOOO easily. i can scratch it off with my fingernail. i had to find a couple cable housing clamps for the top tube (the housing was just loose when i got it) and just putting those on scratched the paint more. i'd like to be able to prevent it from further damage like that. would a wax help with that at all?

iab

Italian paint comes off if you look at it funny.

Wax may help a bit but I doubt it.

For removing and replacing clamps, etc., wrap a thin plastic sheet, like a piece of soda bottle, around your frame tube. Use that as protection when putting a clamp on/off. It will easily slip under the clamp and is easily removed from underneath the clamp.

The clear will change the aesthetics of the existing paint. It can only be your judgement whether you prefer that look over more scratches. As for resale value, more scratches will probably hold their value better than clear would.

bigbossman 

The Italians were very early pioneers that became masters of the Quick Release paint job.

dddd

I would absolutely not over-clean this bike or add any clear coat. It will lose much of it's value if you do.

Believe it or not, much of the dirt on this bike is a value-adder, because it is a big part of the character.

Having the existing chipped/scratched paint together with any clear or even thorough cleanliness just won't go together, it'll be somewhat ruined imo.

But good luck with your progress and enjoy riding it, once you take your time as to how to approach the conservation process.

A very, very good find here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lascauxcaveman 

I'm another vote for no clear coat. If you want it clean, just a little Dawn dishsoap in warm water, a toothbrush, a towel and WD 40 w/ fine scotchbrite or whatever they call the non-scratch version on the chrome. Wax the painted parts if you feel like preserving what's left.

And maybe new tires.

unworthy1

a littte history of Welter from Citoen du Monde (I think):

"used to make up part of the Garlatti group of companies. They
> were/are based in Parma. The Welter brand was once a high end maker, but
> within the Garlatti group was downgraded to medium range bikes."

I believe that HS is Magistroni-made with the Welter brand.

Quite a find, take good care with it (as many advise, and this is good advice!).

auchencrow

It seems the old steed has found a caring and considerate new owner. Congratulations on such a wonderful acquisition!

wearyourtruth

i have no problem NOT clear coating it, saves me money. i just want to do the bike right. i like it just the way it is and don't want it to end up with a bunch of new shiny scratches in it. as for cleaning the components, i don't plan on doing a full submersion/polish kinda job, i just want to get everything in good clean working order to make sure the components get as long a life as possible.

p.s. anyone have an idea on a good set of appropriate brake pads for old steel tubular rims? i know nothing is going to work great on those rims, but the ones on there now aren't gonna cut it.