I recently accquired what looks to be a rare and unique bicycle called a Bugatti Touring Sport. I have tried to research this bike via the internet, but I am not having much luck. Can anyone tell me a history behind this bike? I know that Bugatti vehicles are very, very expensive! Could this possibly be a promotional bicycle made to promote a certain Bugatti? I'm not sure of the age, but it does look like a vintage bike. More pics available via e-mail. Any help is deeply appreciated.

Thanks again,

Monty Sheets

You'll need to post a higher resolution photo if you want any detailed info.

You could also provide information on any components. Names etc...

Many times the level of components will tell a lot about the quality of the bike.

Also, any stickers/decals to give us hints? For example, tubing (type of steel) etc...

Thank you for your response. Ive tried to download detailed pics, but it wont let me attatch them. Says must be smaller than 100 kb? I'm not a real smart guy on the computer, so I downsized it to fit the attatchment size. Is there a better way to show larger, more detailed pics? Again, any help is deeply appreciated!

Monty

^^^

Upload the photos to this site and paste the links. https://imageshack.us/

Shimano name is on shifter equipment by the gears, Bugatti is shown on the rims, not sure of what type of metal it is. Sorry, I'm a rookie at this, forgive me for my ignorance.

Here is a bigger pic for viewing

https://img353.imageshack.us/my.php?i...ortbicydc2.jpg

Here is a better picture for reviewing. Thanks again for any help!

https://img353.imageshack.us/my.php?i...ortbicydc2.jpg

Looks like a bike boom bike to me. Probably built in the 1970s. Not overly valuable or high end. An example of this would be bolt on wheels not quick release. Used a famous name for selling purposes. Roger

For more pics go to: https://profile.imageshack.us/user/msheets/

Thanks to everyone for their help and information!

Monty

The serial number on this bike is - CB7C (THEN- LOOKS LIKE A BACKWARD C?) then 5197

CB7C )5197 similar to this except 5th character looks like a backward C

I would agree on the bike boom assessment, but its still a well sorted bike (i like the fenders and matching rack). Use it as a cruiser and commuter and enjoy it.

You are not going to send the kids to college with the proceeds from an eBay auction, although you may be suprised at how much it will bring; it presents very well. During the '70's bike boom many companies jumped into the fray (like the singer sewing machine company; Browning (maker of firearms); and Maserati). They were mostly second-tier, or lower bikes that got people around until the gas lines were gone. Bugatti was more than likely one of these.

Better condition than most form that era and tier. Bugatti was an opportunist brand, hoping to make the memories of superior automobiles translate to a bike brand.

Now, the true Bugatti's did play with bikes, a multi-tube bike frame that was recreated by someone from drawings much later (with revised geometry as well), that was interesting.

Even more interesting was the velocipede motor, inline shaft, supercharged, 50cc jewel of an engine, when the rules for 50cc "mopeds" were written, I am sure supercharging was not considered, a "rule beater". An example or two survive of the motor only, I do not know if they run.

Was Bugatti (The vehicle manufacturer) the manufacturer of this bike? If not, who was? Anyone know? I trust with all the experience in this forum, someone might know for sure. Thanks again for all of your responses! I was told that it may have came from Italy.... again, I'm trying to find out, as no one has been able to answer the origin question for me. Here are the pics again for viewing purposes. https://profile.imageshack.us/user/msheets/

Monty

Here is a Bugatti road bike that I rescued a while back rusting away in a field. I have no more information to add, but was a bit curious myself to know more about the bike and the maker. Looks to be early 70's and made in Italy, and of better build quality than the few Chiordas I've seen from the same era. Original Campy DT shifters and Universal centerpull brakes. Total shame to have left it to rust.

Bugatti did not exist as a car maker from about 1963 until about 1990, so not made by them.

Bugatti cars that were built in the late sixties....... who built them?

This may be from the same era as the bike? https://www.madle.org/ebug.htm

Actually, it's looks post boom to me, especially with those swaged, steel, cotterless cranks. The aluminum sidpull brakes, cut out cage on the front derailleur and graphics style are also typical of post boom models. I'm guessing very late 1970s or early 1980s. Regardless, there should be a two letter date code on the back of the parallelogram of the Shimano rear deraiileur. That should nail the age within a year.

No Bugatti cars were built in the late 60's, barely any after the end of the 50's, actually.

Great info on looking at deraiileur code! This bike used a Shimano FD AX50 deraiileur (1983-1986). It also incorporates Simano's VIA system for shifting components. Now..... Who manufactured the bike? Anyone able to help answer? Thanks again for all of your kind responses, it is sincerely appreciated!

Monty

The Bugatti marque (original) died somewhere like 1951, their glory days were definitely the 20's (the Type 35 still holds records for number of races won) and 30's. There was a shot at bringing the marque back in the 1990's, short lived, although they turned out an interesting car or two. Then Volkswagen got the rights to the name, and that's the current Bugatti.

Ettoir Bugatti did build a couple of bicycles back in the 1930's. They're insane looking, aluminum if I remember correctly, and go for insane prices nowdays - assuming you'll find somebody stupid enough to want to sell it in the first place.

Your bike is just using the name - and there's a pretty good chance it was used illegally at the time. Sort of like Indian motorcycles: After the 1950's, the legal trademark got rather murky with all sorts of people playing fast and loose with it. Usually attempts to bring back the automobile, which never came to anything.

Cheap bike, regardless of what name is on it; note the rear derailleur/hanger and the riveted steel crank.

Ive posted this bicycle on e-bay.... I don't ride myself.... nor do I collect.... SO, I hoping that someone that truly would enjoy this bicycle can take advantage of ownership! Thanks for all of your kind responses!