Hello all,
I picked up this Olmo track frame a few weeks ago and have since built it up and has become my daily rider. When I got the frame only the original (I presume) Magistroni headset and bottom bracket remained on the frame. The paint is quite rough, but I am going to leave it as is. The chrome lugs are quite fantastic. Other markings include a 1966 L.A. bike license and the track ends are stamped "Brev" and "OTC".
Any help dating or more info about this bike would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2.../OLMO/bike.jpg

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2.../forkcrown.jpg

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...O/forkends.jpg

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2.../headbadge.jpg

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...MO/headset.jpg

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...eatcluster.jpg

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...MO/sticker.jpg

not sure, but early 60s is probably close...

for the lazy.





I have no better guess than early sixties but I like the bike, maybe a different seat post but thats just me.

definitely an older rig. Early 60s at the latest, but pre-sixties is sort of outta my league. I might go so far as to say late 50s is possible, That is one cool bike! Make sure to clean and treat the rust and then wax, want to keep what is left protected.

Yeah, having a carbon fiber seatpost on a bike this old is not the prettiest choice. I must say that combined with a brooks it is a heavenly ride. I do my best not to see any sort of wet weather. Although it looks like a beater, I really don't consider it a beater bike.
Thanks for putting the pics up yellowjeep.

now THAT is a beautiful patina! don't you dare touch the paint!

I may have asked this before. Would a bike of this vintage originally have come with 700c tubulars? I was expecting some big clearances with the new wheels, but as it the 700cs fit in just right.

If this is any help, that Magistroni headset looks very much like the original on my first 1960 Capo.

A track bike absolutely would have come with 700C tubulars and much tighter clearances than even a racing road bike of the same vintage.

Its a track bike, it would have ONLY had tubulars!

With the Magistroni cranks (probably cottered?) and headset and the chrome work I would be starting my search in the 1950's. The seat cluster and headbadge were around at that time also.

Don't throw out the Magistroni cranks as you may want to go back to them in the future. I would be interested in knowing more about the original seatpost. Was it a plain steel straight post with a clamp to attack the saddle or something else? This may also give a clue to the bike's age.

It's definately a bike worth preserving in it present state. (I'm just a bit envious)

Looks like a Campagnolo rear dropout.

Gary,
The bike as I got it was only the frame, headset, bottom bracket and seatpost collar.

I have built it up in a somewhat b*stardized fashion, while trying to keep it tasteful (minus the carbon fiber seatpost ).

Sun rims laced to Formula track hubs.

Randonneur bars. I know French touring bars on an Italian track bike, not right. But this is a rider not a restoration and I find them to be super comfortable.

The brake is a Universal Super 68 for those "oh ****"! moments when I am on the streets.

The cranks are a set of Ofmega 170s of unknown vintage.

I may change out the bars to something more Pista worthy in the near future. As it is the bike is a dream to ride. My Centurion and Cannondale are gathering a lot of dust since I built this up. In time a Campy crankset would be dreamy. But it is rolling now and I love it. Oh, in the original pic I hadn't tensioned my chain after a cog swap, I don't run it quite so slack...

Thanks for the info. It seems like your trying to restore it to an appropriate era. I'd brobably do the same as you and get it going so I could ride it.

I have seen similar bikes when I've been playing around on the internet. Have a look on the Wool Jersey Gallery site - I've got a vague memory of seeing a similar Olmo there. Also look at Legnano, Pinarello, Gloria, (any old Italian marque) and look for similar seat clusters Other features as well) as your bike, it may help you date the frame.

I had a 50's frame with a Magistroni headset. The frame was way too small for me so I swapped it to a MOST knowledgable collector - He wanted it for the headset which was an earlier version to yours. He put it on a late 40's Olmo........

.....Stop the presses......I had a look at a photo of his Olmo. Low and behold, it's lugs are exactly the same as yours. The chrome is also in very similar places. I can't show you as I don't have a scanner. His is a late 40's frame as it was made for the Campagnolo Cambio Corsa gear system (still advertised in the early 50's).

From your photo of the rear dropout, it looks like a Campy item. You can easily see Brev. and it looks like you can see the "olo' at the end of "Campagnolo" When were these first produced by Campagnolo. These dropouts first appear in the 1960 Campagnolo catalogue. I looked through earlier versions fo the Campy catalogue and didn't see any track style dropouts - which is quite puzzling. I would have thought Campagnolo would have made this style of dropout earlier than 1960. Perhaps frame makers produced their own track style dropouts as they are an easy shape to produce.

Going by the rear dropout I would say your frame is post 1960 - but only just.

This has been fun - good luck,

Gary.

Gary,
So are you saying this may be more of a 1940s frame? I tend to agree the 'stacked' fork on this bike doesn't yell 1950s track to me.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/21729074@N06/2221179235/

I uploaded the pics to my flickr account and they may be more clear than photobucket.

I want to ride this thing. However, what would you do to make it more appropriate as a rider and carrier of a mid century Italian track bike's flame? The seatpost will probably change soon. So beyond that...

Ok I missed the last part of your post Gary. So close to 1960.

Yeah - I'm pretty sure tat the rear dropout is the same as the illustration in the 1960 Campagnolo catalogue.

I'd love the frame to be older than that too. Perhaps another forum member can more accurately date when Campagnolo actually produced the dropout but standard thinking is that the catalogue usually preceeded the availability of the parts - making your frame post 1960.

The lugs on your frams are identical to the lugs on my friend's late 1940's Olmo except for the front forks as his is a road bike. I just love your twin plate fork crown.

I find that it is a little easier coming across 50's frames than 60's frames - what do others think?

I believe your Olmo track iron to be 58-63. I have a particular problem also dating my Olmo road bike. The lugs are the same chrome lugs as yours, but my headset is a Olmo inscribed headset. My frame (bike) Has a 151bcd crankset and a cheese ball seat post (Jap) that is going to get replaced with a Campagnolo. My serial looks like either M or H and the rest is 488. I am lost and if you have more info, please email me back at xcs_63@yahoo.com. I will respect all info to help me date my Olmo.
Regards,
John Proch
LaGrange, Texas







I have no better guess than early sixties but I like the bike, maybe a different seat post but thats just me.[/QUOTE]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe Universal Super 68 brakes came out until 1968?