bflow101

Hello, all. Long time lurker, first time poster here. I've learned a TON from Bike Forums, so I really appreciate everyone who posts info here.

I just adopted someone's castoff Italvega Gran Turismo, but I am having a hard time nailing down the year and I am not sure if some the parts are stock. BF is definitely the spot for Italvega info (thanks!), and I have been combing the C&V forums for info, but I'm still hitting a wall on a couple things.

Some seemingly important identifying info gleaned from other threads:

* 4-digit SN starting with 6 (seems to be some question as whether this is pre-1974 or not)
* Welded seam BB (seems to place it pre-1974?)
* Falck Tubing
* Braze-on cable guides
* Sugino 171mm cranks (weird!) stamped with 41-16 on the non-driveside arm
* Sugino Mighty Compe 54T big ring (I think the small ring is 36T but didn't count)
* Drilled brake levers (had me thinking this was a higher-end model for a minute)
* Campy Gran Turismo rear mech (monstrous!)
* Front dropouts are NOT Campy-branded
* Nici rims with unbranded hubs (anybody know about the hubs?)
* Seemingly unbranded stem and headset

The reason why I believe it's a Gran Turismo is that the "shadow" left by the top tube decal seems to read "Turismo." I have a photo of it but not sure it'll show up well.

Does anyone have any conclusive (if not concrete) info about serial numbers? Also, I haven't seen this crankset on any other GTs posted here; likely aftermarket?

I might be too new to upload photos, but will do if I can.

Thanks for any help!

bflow101

Here my best photo of the "shadow" left by the Gran Turismo decal on the top tube. Convincing?

juvela

-----



you are on the money

would expect frame tubing to be three-tube DB

owned a green Gran Turismo which had a three-tube Comumbus DB tubing transfer

dropouts are Agrati Nr. 000.8002

fork ends are Agrati Nr. 000.8010

fork crown Agrati Nr. 000.8048

lug pattern Agrati "CORSA"

yes, many of the original fittings have been replaced

headset, brakeset, stem & bar and rear gear mech are all original fittings

original chainset was OMG cottered steel

original pedals were Sheffield Corsa model 655

original hubs Gnutti large flange QR

original rims FIAMME yellow label wired-ons

-----

SurferRosa

Torpado made these for Ben Lawee, right?

Love that big huuge ring. You wonder why a previous owner would change out the crankset ... it might be that the original was cottered, and the Sugino was the go-to upgrade at the time providing the best value. Maybe at half the price of Campy.

The reason I mention that is it's been pointed out my '72 Torpado also came with a cottered crank and a lowly Universal brakeset. The original owner chose Sugino/Dura Ace when improving on these components back in the day.
​​​​​
.

bflow101

@SurferRosa Amazing restoration job on your Torpado. That thing is kleeeen! Wow.

I'm still catching up on ItalVega research, but, yes, I believe you're correct about the manufacturing location. I'm still a little stumped as to when/why Falck tubes were used. Another poster in another thread did some research on Falck, but I haven't relocated the thread just yet.

I'm pretty happy with the 54T biggie. My track bike is 54T, so I can ride the GT to semi-train on the same size ring without having to ride my track bike on the road.

bflow101

@juvela Thanks for the confirmation and the great info! I'm still trying to figure out the deal with Falck tubing.

For now, I think I'm going with 1972 as the year of manufacture. Still not totally sure about that.

Kabuki12

The serial numbers are different for that model . Mine is a Gran Rally and starts with 972 and flanked by stars . It is a September 1972 bike according to Bart aka mech986. He would know as he keeps a data base for the ItalVega folks.

repechage

Lots of upgrades over time. Nice bike. Not period correct but epoch correct.

mpetry912 

ItalVegas were made by Torresini which also made Torpado

/markp

juvela

-----

assiduous research you are performing there!

your example's 3D head emblem rules out a 1972 datum

for the first couple years or so head emblems were fabricated of simple stamped flat sheet

the stem/bar set you mention is 3TTT Tourist model


-----

bflow101

Thanks again @juvela! It's my understanding (from the BR thread in the link below) that ItalVega started with riveted head tube badge in 1972?

I'm not allowed to post links yet, but the info is in the thread called "Longshot Frame ID."

SurferRosa

I think that's like saying Henry Ford also made Fords.

Carlo Torresini founded Torpado in 1895.

Pretty sure all Italvegas were made at the Torpado factory in Padua, 1970-1977.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italvega

unworthy1

surprising to see one with that Falck tubing decal, especially with that amount of chrome but agreed that it's likely a "Gran Turismo" model (pressumed to refer to the Campy "boat anchor" RD which is still present despite all the other upgraded components!)
Most Italian frame builders tried to hide the fact they used Falck (it was a few Lira less than the cheapest Columbus tube options BITD) although many secretly added Falck headtubes, stays and fork blades to a "tre-tubi" Columbus frame. I think Falck also had a DB tube set but even more rare to see THAT decal on any frame.

Note that this Falck decal advertises that it is "Senza Saldatura" which means "without welding" (or soldering?) which is interpreted to mean it's a seamless tubeset...however that topic got a LOT of debate in this forum BITD. Not clear if this particular level of Falck was indeed seamlessly drawn (from a billet) or if there was something like a finishing step that smoothed out the welded seams so completely that they were effectively invisible.
I sure do not know, they did not invite me into the Falck factory to view their operations!

Curious as to the correct size seat post this Falck frame takes?

bflow101

@unworthy1 I saw that thread about Falck tubing. Spicy!

Yes, I too am interested in the proper seatpost size, since I need one. I've seen a few numbers thrown around in other threads here at BF, but it seems that 27.0 mm pops up the most consistently.

Hoping to find something that isn't too incongruous with the rest of the bike without breaking the bank. Open to suggestions!

juvela

-----


"attsa wunnuh biggada seat-a post-a"



-----