Just bought my first vintage bike, please tell me about it!
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 13
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Just bought my first vintage bike, please tell me about it!
Hello everyone. Finally 10 posts!
I'm a complete and utter novice, but just picked up my first ever road bike. I absolutely adore it, and plan to restore it, going slowly and learning throughout the process.
Before beginning however, I'd like to know more about my bike. I'd very much appreciate it if someone was able to help me ID the frame (which google tells me might be a Torpado?) and possibly which of the components that would have been on the bike originally. All I know is that the chap I got it from purchased it from a vintage bike store in Copenhagen.
I'd also be interested in knowing what to be wary of in terms of safety, as I plan on riding it as much as possible once it's done.
Please let me know if you need me to provide more/different pictures. Thank you in advance!










I'm a complete and utter novice, but just picked up my first ever road bike. I absolutely adore it, and plan to restore it, going slowly and learning throughout the process.
Before beginning however, I'd like to know more about my bike. I'd very much appreciate it if someone was able to help me ID the frame (which google tells me might be a Torpado?) and possibly which of the components that would have been on the bike originally. All I know is that the chap I got it from purchased it from a vintage bike store in Copenhagen.
I'd also be interested in knowing what to be wary of in terms of safety, as I plan on riding it as much as possible once it's done.
Please let me know if you need me to provide more/different pictures. Thank you in advance!










Last edited by FBWMD; 04-06-19 at 02:44 AM.
#2
verktyg
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,035
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From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Current favorites: 1988 Peugeot Birraritz, 1984 Gitane Super Corsa, 1980s DeRosa, 1981 Bianchi Campione Del Mondo, 1992 Paramount OS, 1988 Colnago Technos, 1985 RalieghUSA SBDU Team Pro
Welcome to the group. Your bike has a real mishmash of reasonable quality components that will serve you well. I have a number of frankenbikes that I enjoy riding.
You did a good job with the photos but I'm trying to figure out the brand name??? Also are there any tubing stickers?
verktyg
You did a good job with the photos but I'm trying to figure out the brand name??? Also are there any tubing stickers?
verktyg
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
#3
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Welcome to the group. Your bike has a real mishmash of reasonable quality components that will serve you well. I have a number of frankenbikes that I enjoy riding.
You did a good job with the photos but I'm trying to figure out the brand name??? Also are there any tubing stickers?
verktyg
You did a good job with the photos but I'm trying to figure out the brand name??? Also are there any tubing stickers?
verktyg


No tubing stickers unfortunately. The only source of identification I've been able to find are on the dropouts:
#4
Nice looking bike! Needs a good cleaning of course and I'd want to check and see if bearings need fresh balls & grease, and cables look worn. But some nice parts, and there are some nice details on the frame--the cut-outs in the lugs, and the "fish mouth" on the seat stays and chainstays where they connect to the rear drop-outs. I am really curious what make it is. In any event congrats, looks like you made a great choice!
#5
Freewheel Medic



Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 13,512
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From: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Welcome to C&V and this addictive hobby of ours. Great set of first pictures! You are a real inspiration to all new arrivals. We should make this a "Sticky" and retitle it; When asking about a Mystery Bike--- DO THIS! 
I'm sorry I can't help with the ID. It does look to be a fine frameset under the mismatched components and the years of grime the PO allowed it to accumulate. Have you pulled the seat post out and checked the inside diameter of the tubing? That usually gives a good clue as to the type of tubing. The better frames will utilize a 27.2mm seat tube (unless it is an older French model, which I doubt especially if the BB is Shimano to match the 600 crankset).
Sorry I can't provide more info. Keep up the great work!
I'm sorry I can't help with the ID. It does look to be a fine frameset under the mismatched components and the years of grime the PO allowed it to accumulate. Have you pulled the seat post out and checked the inside diameter of the tubing? That usually gives a good clue as to the type of tubing. The better frames will utilize a 27.2mm seat tube (unless it is an older French model, which I doubt especially if the BB is Shimano to match the 600 crankset).
Sorry I can't provide more info. Keep up the great work!
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Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
#6
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 966
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Bikes: 2015 Spec. AWOL Elite,2022 Spec. Diverge, 1984 Trek 620 1985 Trek 620, 1979 Trek 710
Interesting bike - I like the lug cut-outs and the drilled crank set. You've got lots of possibilities with that bike - clean/restore with existing components, upgrade, 650b conversion with fenders, etc. It only depends upon your goals and $$$. Plus, sometimes doing the mechanical work is as much fun as riding.
Good luck.
Good luck.
#7
ambulatory senior

Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 6,451
Likes: 4,511
From: Peoria Il
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Cool bike. Looks like 28s and fenders would fit easy. Calipers on the seatpost will tell u a little about the frame. I love this general age of road bike. They can be transportation with a capitol T.
#8
feros ferio

Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 22,374
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From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
I have no idea what it is, but I do like it a lot. The "mismash" of components is fine, given the overall quality and functionality. With the over-the-crank shift cable routing and the three top tube guides for the brake cable, I am guessing mid-to-late 1970s.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#9
Senior Member




Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 21,759
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From: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Agree with the others that this is a quality bike with good components and I too have no idea who the manufacture is.
If you intend to ride this bike, it will need to be overhauled and the consumables (cables, chain, and likely tires and brake pads) need to be replaced. This is not hard and there are plenty of youtube videos on how to do this (as well as books).
If you intend to ride this bike, it will need to be overhauled and the consumables (cables, chain, and likely tires and brake pads) need to be replaced. This is not hard and there are plenty of youtube videos on how to do this (as well as books).
#10
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 585
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Bikes: Trek 400 Elance, Losa Winner, 1994 Schwinn Paramount, Specialized Tarmac Pro, Miele SLX, Ibis Ripley, Colnago Oval CX, 84 Masi GC, 1986 Schwinn Voyageur, 1988 Schwinn Tempo, 1998 Schwinn Peloton, 1991 Paramount Ser3
Looks like a cool bike! Galli brakes, Campagnolo, drillium Shimano 600 cranks, a very nice looking frame (where are you located...might be a clue.), 3ttt bar/stem....It's a primer in vintage bikes. Have fun with it!
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,814
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From: Seal Beach Ca. On the right , next to Long Beach
Bikes: 86' Centurion Ironman
The Shimano 600 Arabesque crankset really caught my eye . When Shimano did the Arabesque group they were really making some beautiful stuff . I got a hold of a rear Arabesque derailleur for one of my first C&V builds , bummer was though it would not fit on the frame I had as I recall something about the spur stop .
#12
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,552
Likes: 2,735
From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
For those new to the interest of vintage bicycles, I published MY "TEN SPEEDS", a website intended to help novice and experienced vintage bicycle enthusiasts, alike.
Start by taking a look at what to do first - Test Riding Bicycles (this is done before you start a build)
You might want to get an understanding of what tools you need now, later and later still - Bicycle Maintenance Tools (set up for your level of expertise, be it novice or full restorer)
And keep looking, if you wish. There are many other suggestions that will save you time, effort and money. Hope it is a help...
Start by taking a look at what to do first - Test Riding Bicycles (this is done before you start a build)
You might want to get an understanding of what tools you need now, later and later still - Bicycle Maintenance Tools (set up for your level of expertise, be it novice or full restorer)
And keep looking, if you wish. There are many other suggestions that will save you time, effort and money. Hope it is a help...
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"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
#14
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,940
Likes: 362
That is a very interesting parts mash-up there, almost seems like someone's C&V answer to my wife's "Clean out the fridge and cupboard soup" she throws into the crock pot, on some cold winter nights. I'll second the reading up in [MENTION=84826]randyjawa[/MENTION] website, use his link provided above, he thoroughly covers getting a C&V find shaped up and usable. A good cleaning with some mild detergent and a soft brush will ease the disassembly, should you find anything needing replacement when test riding it, and is you do want to do a compete rebuild with what is there, it will make that much easier.
Welcome to the C&V Forum/Life, be warned however, it is completely addictive and consume your every waking hour. Just remember the Single Commandment we live by, "The correct number of bicycles to own is, N+1, with N being the number of bicycles you presently own." Of course you should feel free to raise the number you use following "N", as you (or your significant other) wish.
Bill
Welcome to the C&V Forum/Life, be warned however, it is completely addictive and consume your every waking hour. Just remember the Single Commandment we live by, "The correct number of bicycles to own is, N+1, with N being the number of bicycles you presently own." Of course you should feel free to raise the number you use following "N", as you (or your significant other) wish.
Bill
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
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#17
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Thank you all for your kind and knowledgeable comments! I’ve been a member of a plethora of communities throughout my life, but this is by far the most welcome I’ve ever felt.
I’m currently travelling, but managed to quickly measure the seat tube before leaving. It does indeed appear to be 27.2mm!
[MENTION=84826]randyjawa[/MENTION] - your fantastic webpage was partly what inspired me to pull the trigger on the bike, so thank you for that.
I’ll make sure to update this post once I’m back home and can get started on the project. Thank you all again, hope you all have a great week.
Ps: Seeing some beautiful old bikes in Barcelona.
I’m currently travelling, but managed to quickly measure the seat tube before leaving. It does indeed appear to be 27.2mm!
[MENTION=84826]randyjawa[/MENTION] - your fantastic webpage was partly what inspired me to pull the trigger on the bike, so thank you for that.
I’ll make sure to update this post once I’m back home and can get started on the project. Thank you all again, hope you all have a great week.

Ps: Seeing some beautiful old bikes in Barcelona.
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