1960-something? Bianchi Specialissima
07-29-18 | 10:51 PM
#27
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Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
I finally had a moment today to do a bit more clean up on the bike and take a few poor quality photos in the fading light of the evening. An older Brooks saddle replaces the Vetta that came with the bike. Front and rear hubs were rebuilt, and a bit of rudimentary polishing was done as well. Does anyone know if theses bikes were equipped originally with a Brooks, or an Ideale saddle? The toe clips are badged "Cornez"; is anyone familiar with this brand? I've never run across these before...
07-30-18 | 09:04 AM
#28
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From: Alta California
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Wonderful to see Eddie coming right along so nicely!
Saddle -
My recollection is that they came through with a conventional leather one at this time. Brand would be either Ialia or Rosa. Their tops were not the equal to topline Brooks or Tron et Berthet products so they did not last through the years. (May have been private labelled "BIANCHI" in some casses.)
Brake lever rubber -
Count yourself most fortunate that the hoods are in as good a shape as they are. Treat with 303 Protectant. The blue hotstamp was eliminated in 1977 so even if one paid the premium for genuine Fratelli Pietra replacements (produced by Atalanta Comma) it would be very difficult to find the blue version. None of the modern reproductions have the blue stamp and their colour is different as well. Replacements for the black adjusting barrel covers are readily available online. The gum ones would be inappropriate.
Toe clips -
Cornez is an italian brand not oft encuontered. My experience of them is that their plating durability is not the equal of Christophe or Allara (Al-E). If you wanted new looking ones that were of italian manufacture and contemporaneous with cycle REG, Balilla and Allara would all be good candidates.
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Wonderful to see Eddie coming right along so nicely!
Saddle -
My recollection is that they came through with a conventional leather one at this time. Brand would be either Ialia or Rosa. Their tops were not the equal to topline Brooks or Tron et Berthet products so they did not last through the years. (May have been private labelled "BIANCHI" in some casses.)
Brake lever rubber -
Count yourself most fortunate that the hoods are in as good a shape as they are. Treat with 303 Protectant. The blue hotstamp was eliminated in 1977 so even if one paid the premium for genuine Fratelli Pietra replacements (produced by Atalanta Comma) it would be very difficult to find the blue version. None of the modern reproductions have the blue stamp and their colour is different as well. Replacements for the black adjusting barrel covers are readily available online. The gum ones would be inappropriate.
Toe clips -
Cornez is an italian brand not oft encuontered. My experience of them is that their plating durability is not the equal of Christophe or Allara (Al-E). If you wanted new looking ones that were of italian manufacture and contemporaneous with cycle REG, Balilla and Allara would all be good candidates.
-----
Last edited by juvela; 07-30-18 at 02:01 PM. Reason: addition
07-30-18 | 09:20 AM
#29
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-----
Wonderful to see Eddie coming right along so nicely!
Saddle -
My recollection is that they came through with a conventional leather one at this time. Brand would be either Ialia or Rosa. Their tops were not the equal to topline Brooks or Tron et Berthet products so they did not last through the years.
Brake lever rubber -
Count yourself most fortunate that the hoods are in as good a shape as they are. Treat with 303 Protectant. The blue hotstamp was eliminated in 1977 so even if one paid the premium for genuine Fratelli Pietra replacements (produced by Atalanta Comma) it would be very difficult to find the blue version. None of the modern reproductions have the blue stamp and their colour is different as well. Replacements for the black adjusting barrel covers are readily available online. The gum ones would be inappropriate.
-----
Wonderful to see Eddie coming right along so nicely!
Saddle -
My recollection is that they came through with a conventional leather one at this time. Brand would be either Ialia or Rosa. Their tops were not the equal to topline Brooks or Tron et Berthet products so they did not last through the years.
Brake lever rubber -
Count yourself most fortunate that the hoods are in as good a shape as they are. Treat with 303 Protectant. The blue hotstamp was eliminated in 1977 so even if one paid the premium for genuine Fratelli Pietra replacements (produced by Atalanta Comma) it would be very difficult to find the blue version. None of the modern reproductions have the blue stamp and their colour is different as well. Replacements for the black adjusting barrel covers are readily available online. The gum ones would be inappropriate.
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This is the first Italian bike I’ve owned as well as the first from the 1960’s. Thanks to all for their helpful input! John
07-30-18 | 09:51 AM
#30
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From: Alta California
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Check you may wish to make -
Because of the machine's date there is a chance it is fitted with the rare Campagnolo Record bottom bracket for 3/16" ball, which AFAIK, was made only one year in the early sixties. The cups and spindle are marked "CON SFERE DA 3/16" " -
-----
Check you may wish to make -
Because of the machine's date there is a chance it is fitted with the rare Campagnolo Record bottom bracket for 3/16" ball, which AFAIK, was made only one year in the early sixties. The cups and spindle are marked "CON SFERE DA 3/16" " -
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07-30-18 | 02:09 PM
#31
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Both my mid-60s Specialissimas came with 3ttt Gran Prix stems. That was standard equipment on the mid 60s bikes according to my research.
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07-30-18 | 06:02 PM
#32
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From: Alta California
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Up through ~1962 the Specialissima was fitted with the Ambrosio Champion stem & bar set. (The Regolabile was an option for some buyers) From ~1963-70 it wore the 3TTT Gran Prix set. Beginning in 1971 it was supplied with first generation 3TTT Record set.
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Up through ~1962 the Specialissima was fitted with the Ambrosio Champion stem & bar set. (The Regolabile was an option for some buyers) From ~1963-70 it wore the 3TTT Gran Prix set. Beginning in 1971 it was supplied with first generation 3TTT Record set.
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07-30-18 | 07:45 PM
#33
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Check you may wish to make -
Because of the machine's date there is a chance it is fitted with the rare Campagnolo Record bottom bracket for 3/16" ball, which AFAIK, was made only one year in the early sixties. The cups and spindle are marked "CON SFERE DA 3/16" " -
-----
Check you may wish to make -
Because of the machine's date there is a chance it is fitted with the rare Campagnolo Record bottom bracket for 3/16" ball, which AFAIK, was made only one year in the early sixties. The cups and spindle are marked "CON SFERE DA 3/16" " -
-----
Last edited by orcas island; 07-31-18 at 08:10 AM.
07-31-18 | 03:01 PM
#34
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From: Point Reyes Station, California
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Beautiful bike John! I'm glad you got it. Hard to tell the condition of those Cornez clips from the photos but if you need replacements for either or both I would be happy to give you a pair I have.
Brent
Brent
07-31-18 | 07:08 PM
#35
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Thanks Brent! The pair on the bike have a fair amount of surface corrosion, but I’m going to give them an oxalyic bath and see how they clean up. I’ll keep you posted. It was nice to meet you a few weeks ago!
08-01-18 | 09:53 AM
#36
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From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
[MENTION=177076]orcas island[/MENTION], did you find a tool for the headset? I have the VAR tool and could probably lend it if necessary (though I'm sure there are easy enough workarounds).
As for the saddle, I found this one on eBay a while ago:
and I restored it:
As for the saddle, I found this one on eBay a while ago:
and I restored it:
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08-01-18 | 10:53 AM
#38
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Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
No, no maker's mark. Not the same frame as any other Italian-made saddle I've seen. Somewhat reminiscent of an Ideale model 39, but not the same.
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08-03-18 | 04:33 PM
#42
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I found this plasticized sleeve inside the bottom bracket, wrapped around the spindle. I can't read Italian, so no idea what it says. Do you think that this might have been part of the original BB, or added by a later owner?
Last edited by orcas island; 08-03-18 at 04:37 PM. Reason: Add photo
08-04-18 | 04:05 PM
#43
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From: Alta California
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Prior to the availability of purpose made bottom bracket seals it was common practice for mechanics and owners to fit something to keep any foreign matter which got into the frame interior from getting into the bottom bracket bearings. Campagnolo created a purpose made seal of flexible plastic in two parts which was introduced in the mid'60's. Your machine predates its introduction, hence this piece of newspaper.
The Campag general catalogue Nr. 14 of 1960 does not show the seal while the general catalogue Nr. 16 of 1968 does.
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Prior to the availability of purpose made bottom bracket seals it was common practice for mechanics and owners to fit something to keep any foreign matter which got into the frame interior from getting into the bottom bracket bearings. Campagnolo created a purpose made seal of flexible plastic in two parts which was introduced in the mid'60's. Your machine predates its introduction, hence this piece of newspaper.
The Campag general catalogue Nr. 14 of 1960 does not show the seal while the general catalogue Nr. 16 of 1968 does.
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Last edited by juvela; 08-06-18 at 03:57 PM.
08-04-18 | 05:20 PM
#44
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Thanks, Juvela! It didn’t look like any sort of Campy associated product. I wonder what it says though??
I’ve rebuilt all of the bearing surfaces ( with the exception of the headset), and fitted a new chain. Planning on a short ride tomorrow to see how it all works and feels. I’m not going to push it too hard on the ancient sew-up tires though.... Does anyone have a recommendation on inexpensive replacement tires I might fit to replace these?
I’ve rebuilt all of the bearing surfaces ( with the exception of the headset), and fitted a new chain. Planning on a short ride tomorrow to see how it all works and feels. I’m not going to push it too hard on the ancient sew-up tires though.... Does anyone have a recommendation on inexpensive replacement tires I might fit to replace these?
08-04-18 | 05:54 PM
#45
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Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Thanks, Juvela! It didn’t look like any sort of Campy associated product. I wonder what it says though??
I’ve rebuilt all of the bearing surfaces ( with the exception of the headset), and fitted a new chain. Planning on a short ride tomorrow to see how it all works and feels. I’m not going to push it too hard on the ancient sew-up tires though.... Does anyone have a recommendation on inexpensive replacement tires I might fit to replace these?
I’ve rebuilt all of the bearing surfaces ( with the exception of the headset), and fitted a new chain. Planning on a short ride tomorrow to see how it all works and feels. I’m not going to push it too hard on the ancient sew-up tires though.... Does anyone have a recommendation on inexpensive replacement tires I might fit to replace these?
Last edited by merziac; 08-05-18 at 02:24 PM.
08-04-18 | 06:17 PM
#47
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Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
08-05-18 | 02:15 PM
#49
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I took it out for a short shake down ride this morning and was quite pleased with the bike. I didn’t push it too hard due to concerns about the old tubular tires (low speed cornering for sure!), but found it to be nice and stable. It tracks straight, and corners a bit more quickly than the rest of the bikes I ride. Not twitchy though; I could ride with hands off the bars without feeling like disaster was imminent. Overall pretty happy wit how it came back together! Thanksto everyone who helped!
Last edited by orcas island; 08-05-18 at 02:19 PM.
08-05-18 | 02:23 PM
#50
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Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
I took it out for a short shake down ride this morning and was quite pleased with the bike. I didn’t push it too hard due to concerns about the old tubular tires (low speed cornering for sure!), but found it to be nice and stable. It tracks straight, and corners a bit more quickly than the rest of the bikes I ride. Not twitchy though; I could ride with hands off the bars without feeling like disaster was imminent. Overall pretty happy wit how it came back together! Thanksto everyone who helped!