Champion Strada 1971-72 (Torpado)
05-21-16, 08:24 AM
#1
Steel is real
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Champion Strada 1971-72 (Torpado)
I do not really buy bikes anymore. I am over 50 and I have 27 vintage bikes… But sometimes there comes an opportunity to buy a bike that I just cannot resist. This one is such a bike.
It came up for sale a week ago at a local buy&sell and it was paired with another old race bike. The picture was rather bad but yet intriguing. The colour was Legnano green/yellow and in Sweden that can only mean one thing – a Champion. I have already shown my mid sixties Champion Strada (Legnano Roma Olimpiade) here on BF – and told the story of Thord Lönnquist and his pro bike shop, his team and his importance to the Swedish bike culture:
A special Legnano Roma Olimpiade
As I wrote in my previous piece, his team – “the green team” very probably got their colours from him buying Legnano bikes and rebranding them. He later bought and rebranded Uragos and Torpados and/but the colour was now a part of his brand and even if not Legnanos anymore but other brands – they got the Legnano green treatment.
This bike is in a wonderful state. Sold by its original owner. It has its original paint and most of its original equipment. The brake handles are Shimano but I got the original Universal Super 68: s along with the bike. Early in its life it got the NR rear derailleur substituted. Now it has a pat -74 and what stamping it had from the beginning is not known.
I have compared it to other Champion Strada Torpados and it is likely this one is a 1971-72 frame. The frame is a top quality build - Columbus tubes and with thinned lugs with cut outs. The BB shell is lightened and it has drilled rear drop outs. The seat cluster ears are filled and the brazing at fork ends is top notch.
The bike is as found – no cleaning or detailing done. It will get some TLC, its Universal brake handles back and white cotton handle bar tape.
OK – I should not buy more bikes but this one I could not resist. Could you?
Some more pictures here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/453061...57668333711082
It came up for sale a week ago at a local buy&sell and it was paired with another old race bike. The picture was rather bad but yet intriguing. The colour was Legnano green/yellow and in Sweden that can only mean one thing – a Champion. I have already shown my mid sixties Champion Strada (Legnano Roma Olimpiade) here on BF – and told the story of Thord Lönnquist and his pro bike shop, his team and his importance to the Swedish bike culture:
A special Legnano Roma Olimpiade
As I wrote in my previous piece, his team – “the green team” very probably got their colours from him buying Legnano bikes and rebranding them. He later bought and rebranded Uragos and Torpados and/but the colour was now a part of his brand and even if not Legnanos anymore but other brands – they got the Legnano green treatment.
This bike is in a wonderful state. Sold by its original owner. It has its original paint and most of its original equipment. The brake handles are Shimano but I got the original Universal Super 68: s along with the bike. Early in its life it got the NR rear derailleur substituted. Now it has a pat -74 and what stamping it had from the beginning is not known.
I have compared it to other Champion Strada Torpados and it is likely this one is a 1971-72 frame. The frame is a top quality build - Columbus tubes and with thinned lugs with cut outs. The BB shell is lightened and it has drilled rear drop outs. The seat cluster ears are filled and the brazing at fork ends is top notch.
The bike is as found – no cleaning or detailing done. It will get some TLC, its Universal brake handles back and white cotton handle bar tape.
OK – I should not buy more bikes but this one I could not resist. Could you?
Some more pictures here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/453061...57668333711082
Last edited by styggno1; 05-21-16 at 12:21 PM.
05-21-16, 10:50 PM
#2
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It would be difficult to walk away from the opportunity to buy such a lovely bike.
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05-22-16, 07:14 PM
#3
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As I said earlier today, I have a soft spot for Torpado...
1961 Torpado.
A gift from Baggio of Montreal.
1961 Torpado.
A gift from Baggio of Montreal.
05-22-16, 10:23 PM
#4
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The bike is irresistible. That is just gorgeous! 
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My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
03-31-17, 02:39 PM
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Very nice bike...... it is in way better shape than my super strada...... and with the history very cool. trevlig cykel
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or whole biked 57,58)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or whole biked 57,58)
04-01-17, 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Dkahoe
Awesome bike. I've got my Champion Strada up for sale in Washington DC on Craigslist. Great backstory. Glad to know its a Torpado.
Last edited by T-Mar; 04-01-17 at 07:19 AM.
04-01-17, 02:59 PM
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Interesting to compare it to Torresini's Italvega Superlight.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...uperlight.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-original.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-italvega.html
-----
Interesting to compare it to Torresini's Italvega Superlight.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...uperlight.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-original.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-italvega.html
-----
04-01-17, 07:38 PM
#11
Semper Fi
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Like, most definitely a Like.
Bill
Bill
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Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
04-07-17, 01:00 PM
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Torpado
Originally Posted by T-Mar
Don't assume it's a Torpado. Champion was a private label brand and had bicycles contract manufactured by various sources. The OP mentions Legnano, Urago and Torpado. There may even have been more.
