Brad L

I’m considering buying this Legnano but I’d like a little input. The serial number is correct for an early 70s Roma Olimpiade made from Reynolds 531 tubing. These are the only photos I have.

The front wheel appears to be a replacement and the rear brake caliper is not on the bike, which I suspect it may have something to do with the missing special rear brake hanger, which the seller does not have. The rear caliper and the (supposed) original saddle are included, though not in the photos.

One thing that’s throwing me off is this frame has gold pinstriping instead of the usual red. I've found a similarly gold striped model here, but I don't know the significance of the color difference.
Any input as to value would be greatly appreciated.

TugaDude

It appears to be a survivor with pretty decent paint and just enough patina. Never owned one, but I have an appreciation for them. They somehow just look "right". I love the characteristic color and the overall decoration. The front wheel always causes questions because it is sometimes evidence of a head-on accident. But in a bike of this age, who knows? I would want to check the tubing to make sure there aren't any bends or cracks in the paint near the head tube. At the right price this is a good candidate for a keeper. Just get all of the appropriate components in place and ride.

juvela

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wrt the missing Fratellii Pietra rear brake hanger -

IIRC our RandyJawa recently posted that he has an extra

it is part number 106/B:




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looks like you shall need to scare up some pedali as well...

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Velox handlebar end caps not really correct

Legnano marked Gaslos can be dear

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gold lining -

forum member Condorino shall have the scoop on this

IIRC it came in fairly late

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3alarmer 

.
...I have no idea what the value of that might be in SE Texas. I do have an interesting story where I facilitated the purchase of one of those locally (same color, 531 frame, and outstanding condition), for a forum member who collects them in SoCal, from a local kid who was selling it as his father's bike. All I did was take better photos than the CL ones, and send a couple of e-mails. But it sold (without any bargaining), for the CL listed price...and I thought the listed price was ridiculously high.

What was especially strange was that afterward (even at a price I considered probably twice what it was worth), the kid later wanted to buy the bicycle back. Something about not having permission to sell it or similar.

I think the price will depend a lot on the sale venue...private sale, versus local CL sale, versus ebay sale or other national listing in a more competitive market. The 531 ones are my favorite. I've ridden one of each, and the 531 bike feels a little different...maybe better road feel or something.

Brad L

This bike is located on the west coast and I'd have to ship it here. I have someone in the area that's willing to pick it up for me.

I'd be interested in knowing what the "ridiculously high" price was. The ask on this one is $600.

3alarmer 

...600 bucks is an OK price for that bike in that shape, even with shipping, and assuming you might have to fix some stuff , and fit it to yourself. The one that I facilitated was in slightly more pristine condition, and was priced (on the local CL) at 1800 bucks. I was convinced it was never gonna sell at that price, and then I got this e-mail. asking me to check it out.

I can't tell much from those photos, but the rear derailleur looks like it's been replaced with some kind of long cage thing. And if you look at all the photos of bikes on that Condorino website, you'll see that the seat tube striping on this one looks low. But that might be because it's such a small frame. Can't tell exactly, but it looks like the hubs might be mismatched. The Campy high flange on the rear is what you usually see, with New Record derailleurs.

There must be a story about how those pedals got on there. But the cosmetics look really good in those photos. Paint and chrome are one of the more time consuming things to repair on a project bike.

But if it's your correct size (it's small), most of the ones you see are much more beat up , with regard to the paint. I can't tell from the photos if it's a repaint, and chrome condition is hard to judge without better photos

They are kind of desirable, to a certain segment of the old bike collector crowd. I don't think you'll have trouble coming up with the rear CP hanger. They used to turn up here at the co-op all the time.

SurferRosa

Replacement front wheel might be a sign of a crash. Wouldn't buy unless I was able to confirm no frame damage.

It's a little bitty bike. $600 seems high without a matching wheelset and brakeset.

randyjawa 

The proper hanger for that Legnano is not easy to find at all. I did have one years ago, that came fitted to this bike, but never used it...


Best of luck finding the correct piece. It is rare due to the unusual attachment position - the back of the seat tube lug, as seen in the above picture. Can you believe that, a dozen or more years ago, I sold that frame/fork set on Ebay for $38.00?

Brad L

I've wanted a Legnano for some time but preferred a 50s or 60s model with chromed lugs but could never find my size (51-52cm). After seeing the catalogs on the Condorino site I now see why - the Gran Premio and Roma Olimpiades of that time were never offered in anything less than a 55cm. They must have changed their size availability in the 70s, hence this one, claimed to be a 51cm, should fit perfectly.

I know where there is a correct Universal 106/B rear hanger that will be the first part I buy if I purchase the bike.

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately, I may have to sell my recently completed PX-10 to finance this one.

3alarmer 

...I don't recall when they first started offering the 531 option (it was an upgrade, and cost extra). But probably the 70's is about right. Good luck with your decision. If you've wanted one for a long time, and the small ones are uncommon, that might be a reason to overpay a little bit. I know that I have overpaid for a number of bicycles, and I have not found myself regretting it.

There are some limits to how much I'll overpay, but nice original paint is worth $100-150 to me. And there are some bikes (or frames) for which the asking price was probably too high, but they were my size, and needed paint. I can do paint pretty well now. I would never have found an affordable Colnago Super in my size without some willingness to overpay a little on a frame that needed some paint repairs.

Brad L

Speaking of Supers, this one virtually fell in my lap. I found it near my daughter's high school. It rides beautifully!

retyred

I was the buyer of the Legnano. Thanks again for your assistance, 3alarmer. Paid $2700 for it. 1959 Legnano, all original. I still have it.
Met the kid at a BurgerKing off the 5 freeway in Kettleman. Parking lot transaction looked like a drug deal with me peeling off the Benjamins

Arrived home with my Legnano and the seller contacts me with his request to return bike! Like I said, I still have it.

randyjawa 

g

Two thousand seven hundred dollars seems a bit high to me. Don't get me wrong. I am a true Legnano enthusiast, having owned two Grand Premios, one of which is a rare keeper in my collection (the other, the green one above in post #8, I sold years ago). And, I am always keeping my eye open for an Roma.

hazetguy 

just for reference

Brad L

The seller sent me a few more photos. The paint appears to be in pretty good shape. Until Condorino can comment, I'm going to assume the small frame size and gold lining possibly suggests a special order. I'm setting up the purchase through a friend close to the seller.

Brad L

Thanks for posting this. What year is this catalog?

repechage

I really liked the bikes like this with the stencil downtube graphics- before the stickers.
a good purchase.
these always bring big asking prices in SoCal, they all get priced like a top of the line bike.

Legnano was one of the first quality road bikes I spied while saving up for my first road bike.
if the shop that sold them was not so kid adverse- would have been my first bike. In the Blue though...

Kabuki12

I just bought a 1975 Super myself! As far as the Legnano , it seems to be in great shape and I hope the thread starter gets it for what he feels it is worth

Brad L

The Legnano is now at a friend’s house near Seattle waiting to be packed and shipped to me. It’s in great condition and I can’t wait to see it in person. Thanks go to all for your help. I’ll post photos in the C&V forum when it arrives.

SJX426 

@Kabuki12 - What year is your Colnago? Its DT decal is unusual as is the fork crown and the lack of braze-on TT cable guides. Is the frame panto'd?

Brad L

It's a 1969, just before they started using the Club (Asso di Fiori) as their logo. The cutouts in the lugs are not clubs but Fleur de lis. They're an homage to Gloria cycles, where Ernesto Colnago apprenticed.

Wildwood

Not to thread steal, but since it was listed in the specs above - a quickie question -

Legnano branded Campa high flange hubs With nice (not at home to check rim) tubular 32 or 36 hole. Spin true. No corrosion. Any value above $150-$200? Haven't checked the 'bay, just reading this thread.

Brad L

It depends on the rims. I believe Legnano used Ambrosio and Fiamme rims depending on the year. Anything other than those is definitely worth less to a Legnano aficionado. Campagnolo stopped putting other brands in their hubs in 1967, so this won't affect me at all.

Wildwood

@Brad L -
Did not find this rim label on Velobase.
36 hole, tubular, high flange hubs, Atom skewers.
Need day time light for better hub pic.



oops, upside down.

Brad L

This is from the Condorino website. It is a Cerchio Elmo rim made by Fiamme, and is apparently sturdier than Red label Fiammes.