Pogliaghi

Well I keep saying that I don't want anymore bikes but this one popped up and I could not resist. I was told the bike is from 1935 however it may be 1936. Most of the components are branded Maino or GMA (also Maino) except for the pedals which are Sheffield pedals (I think) with Wolsit branding and the brake levers which have the name B TL Labor with the number 1377428. Very light bike for the day! I have just repacked various bearings, disassembled brake calipers and levers cleaned and lubed. Nice fluted front and rear wheel axles. Lots and lots of cleaning and still lots more to be done. The dirt on the bike was light brown/tan color from the white roads in Italy, I collected and saved it as it came off the bike! Learco Guerra won the Giro d'Italia on a similarly (mostly) equipped bike in 1934.

sloar 

That is very cool! Exactly what I've been wanting.

Sir_Name 

Beautiful. I can see why it'd be tough to not make room for it.

bikemig 

What's not to love about this bike. Very cool. Those looks like fairly large volume panaracer tires; what's the size of those tires?

due ruote 

Super cool. Don't clean it too much! It looks awfully good as it sits.

Is the disca di dorco original? I know nothing about bikes of this vintage; just wondering. It seems somehow more modern and a little shinier than the rest.

tyler_fred

+1 This bike has "cool factor" to the nth degree!!!

Pogliaghi

Yes Panaracer fat 700x35s. I think I will keep it like that for the moment, at least until I have ridden the bike for a bit.

Pogliaghi

I think the pie plate is not correct as it gets in the way during shifting. I have a smaller diameter REG coming to see if that helps.

bikemig 

Wow, this is a real gravel bike,

It's funny how old school racing bikes are sort of like modern gravel bikes. I have a 1960 olmo gran sport; it can take humongous tires. I'm running 700 x 28c and they look almost small on the bike.

obrentharris 

Yes! It wears its age beautifully. It gives me great pleasure to see a machine this old that has been really used, but not too neglected. I am encouraged to wonder about its history, the roads it has traveled, the racer who sat on it, subsequent owners who saw fit not to throw it on the scrap heap where so many of these fine old bikes have disappeared.
Brent

Otis

Interesting stem. I've seen the "I beam" style ones from this period that had the side recess as part of the forging. That one looks like it was milled. Maybe some very early "drillium"?

Neat bike!

Pogliaghi

You think like me! Yes I wonder about the bike's history. The bike is painted in team Maino's color, was a team bike or did an enthusiastic amateur ride it? One is left wondering where it was ridden in Italy, how it survived WW2 - the bike meant a lot to someone at one time. I am just the current custodian and one day it will be passed along to another who will probably wonder the same things.

Pogliaghi

The stem is very interesting in that there is also a groove on the upper surface. It does not look like it has been milled as there are no milling marks. I do not know the manufacturer, looks somewhat more advanced than the girder type Ambrosio stems I have seen. This is one rare stem. On another note the front and rear axles have five flutes machined into them for lightness. Pics attached.

gaucho777 

Fantastic! I'm sure you will be a great custodian for this remarkable bike. Cool beyond words. The patina is wonderful. As Brent says, used but not neglected.

The milled hub axles are a neat surprise indeed. You say it's very light for the day. Have you measured the actual weight?

Forgive my ignorance, but can you please give a description of how the shifting mechanism works. I see the large lever which is connected to the tension wheel and the arched, notched fixture that goes from the down tube to the seat tube. There are also the paddles on the chain stay affixed to a cable, though I can't quite spot where the cable connects to the lever, presumably the small level closest to the down tube. Care to enlighten me how it all works together is practice?

Lascauxcaveman 

Those axels are just bonkers

Will we we be seeing you at this year's Cino Heroica? Your bike would be the belle of the ball, with or without optional wooden rims.

Wildwood 

Upgrade with Athena 11. Just kidding.


I would guess that unless a person is avidly pursuing such bikes, this one is almost a once-in-a-lifetime find. What a beauty.

T-Mar

Congratulations on your new acquisition. It's beautiful! I would have jumped at that opportunity too!

qcpmsame 

Dammit, now I have to clean coffee off of my screen. Warn us when you are going to do these things please.......

Bill

rootboy 

Very cool. Can you please post a picture of the head badge?

Otis

I'd like to see some more pics of it. I think it was modified in the day. Especially after seeing the work done on the axles.

Pogliaghi

Here is a photo of the head badge which I think was painted at one time but not sure.

Pogliaghi

The Vittoria Margherita mechanism is pretty simple to operate. The little loop type thing on the top of the lever rotates clockwise and anti clockwise and in turn rotating one direction or the other operates the appropriate flipper paddle. To change gear you disengage the lever from the toothed detent and loosen the chain. Then you rotate the knob in the desired direction. Then you back pedal and the flipper paddle will move the chain into the gear on the freewheel. Believe me it sounds more complicated than it is :-)

Pogliaghi

I will get more photos of it today. I looked at some period team Maino bikes and although it is hard to tell for sure, it looks like some may have a similar stem.

Pogliaghi

No sadly probably won't be there. I have to say that with this gearing I would most likely be doing a lot of walking up hills! Wish I could be there though it would be fun.

Pogliaghi

Forgot to say, no have not weighed it yet but will do so at some point. The front wheel with that big fat tire is amazingly light.