CBuddy

I've recently got a Legnano for a great price at a local auction and would like some help dating and valuing it. I have Googled but can find little to help with dating. I have read that 1953-1956 is a good possibility. The only serial number I see is 275 on bottom bracket- also looks like a personal owner serial number was scratched above it unless that's by the Legnano also. Ton of Campy including headset, seat post, and pedals. Other serial numbers I have seen online for Legnano Roma Olimpiade is usually a six digit code beginning with two letters.

retyred

Check the top of the rear derailleur and let us know what is stamped into it. Also remove a couple of the cone locknuts from the wheels and check the stamped date codes. I'm going to say 1968-70 based upon info provided so far. Real nice find.

CBuddy

I added these pics of thoose parts. I looked inside both cone nuts and I don't see anything stamped on either one. Am I looking at the right thing? The rear d says Brev. Int. with Campagnolo underneath. and also says Patent on the rear.

retyred

The word "Patent" on the RD dates it to 1967-69. The part in your picture is part of the skewer. Look at the axle and you will see a thin locknut on either side. The date code will be on the interior portion of that locknut and will read "CAM" with two digits that represent the year. You'll need to remove the locknuts. All of this info will help to date your Legnano within a couple years of its manufacture.

cb400bill

I believe the Roma name was not used until after the 1960 Rome Olympics.

CBuddy

Ahh yes, thanks for the info on the the locknut. I took it apart and you are correct, it's dated 67. Much appreciated. How good of a find is this particular Olimpiade and any idea of the value? What is interesting to me is that unlike every other Legnano I have seen, this one doesn't say "Legnano" on the downtube and I really don't see any remnants of where it would have been. What do you guys know about this one? Oh, and what to make of that "275" stamp? Is that the serial number? Like I've said, most serial numbers I've seen are six characters.

retyred

Well, let's call it a 1967 or 1968. Legnano serial numbers, if they ever meant anything, went largely undeciphered. Around 1966 the decades long method of stamping them into the top of the seat tube appears to have been abandoned in favor of placing them on the underside of the BB. In addition the old serial numbers were changed from the two letter/four digit format to a different system. Your "275" can probably be termed a "serial number". I have two Legnanos from, I believe, 1966 and 1969-70, with BB serial numbers of "36" and "232R", respectively.
As for the missing name "Legnano" since it was painted on, someone probably scraped it off.

CBuddy

Yeah I have read about the nonsensical and careless numbering methods of Legnano. Thanks for all te help. I have had some really great finds in my area recently - a Mercier, a Bianchi, a Gitane, and even and old adult tricycle. How does a 67-68 Olimpaide compare to other year models of Olimpiade in terms of regard?