Vigorelli Identification?
08-12-21 | 02:58 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Thrifty Bill
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,639
Likes: 1,106
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Vigorelli Identification?
OK, here we go. I picked up this bike last year, I'm finally getting around to it (spent the year remodeling the house instead). Campy drop outs, Super Vitus tubing, Stronglight crankset, Campy derailleurs and shift levers. An odd mix for sure.
BB is English threaded. Prior owner had a Shimano non drive arm on this bike, with a 16mm bolt. Had to do some grinding on a socket to get that one off.
Parts are scattered, could take me a while to find them. Packed away since March 2020. Lost my workshop, so everything is a mess.
From the little I have read, these were private label out of NJ.
BB is English threaded. Prior owner had a Shimano non drive arm on this bike, with a 16mm bolt. Had to do some grinding on a socket to get that one off.
Parts are scattered, could take me a while to find them. Packed away since March 2020. Lost my workshop, so everything is a mess.
From the little I have read, these were private label out of NJ.
08-12-21 | 07:29 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 15,369
Likes: 4,391
From: Alta California
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the BSC shell is quite a surprise here
the portacatena dropout is a helpful dating aid
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there was also a Vigorelli brand of cycling clothing produced by Mr. Robert Muzzy of Berkeley, California
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the BSC shell is quite a surprise here
the portacatena dropout is a helpful dating aid
---
there was also a Vigorelli brand of cycling clothing produced by Mr. Robert Muzzy of Berkeley, California
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08-12-21 | 07:56 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,212
Likes: 3,122
Interesting that it is a Portacatena equipped frame. That circa 1978-1983 timeline puts it right during the era when three famous framebuilders were working for the Fraysse family at Paris-Sport, who reportedly produced these frames. Per his blog, Dave Moulton started there in 1979, remaining for 1-1/2 years. Per a 2005 obituary written by his grandson, Francisco Cuevas started at Paris-Sport in 1977 before setting up his own shop, with his son, in 1984. That start date is corroborated in a 1984 Bicycling magazine article that goes on to state that Cuevas did a six week stint with Giuseppe Limongi two years later (i.e. circa 1979) that rekindled his frame building interest. Limongi was another known Paris-Sport employee. Moulton appears to be quite amenable to answering questions, so perhaps you could question him directly regarding the bicycle.
08-13-21 | 06:45 AM
#4
Thread Starter
Thrifty Bill
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,639
Likes: 1,106
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Interesting Moulton connection, as I picked up a Moulton Recherche on the same trip. Sadly, just a frameset.
08-13-21 | 07:57 AM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 15,369
Likes: 4,391
From: Alta California
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thanks so much for T-Mar's outstanding information!
the combination of french tubing, french lugs, french crown, french headset & french chainset but with a BSC shell generated a
in me small brain
was thinking the only possibility might have been Flanderlandt
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thanks so much for T-Mar's outstanding information!
the combination of french tubing, french lugs, french crown, french headset & french chainset but with a BSC shell generated a
in me small brainwas thinking the only possibility might have been Flanderlandt
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