Bike Co-op reject, Olmos
 

Found this at the local co-op in their "strip" pile. A lower end Olmo. They wanted $10 for the shifters. Rear wheel missing, but I propped the bike up with this one. Yes, it is a wreck, but I love the lugwork. I tried to look up the serial number but their website is very hard to figure out. I think this is a 1970's, but don't know. There mechs are Shimano. Probably originally a drop bar? Or did they just put modern risers on it?

Does anyone know about this bike, obviously a lower end model, but still pretty.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b5cb48fff8.jpg

Olmos

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2e3c963b6a.jpg

Headbadge completely worn out, nice lugs

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...65f0c96c33.jpg

Original? Don't think so, I think this had drop bars originally? Allow on it now.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d17c7c115d.jpg

Bottom bracket has updated sealed bearings

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...61795ae8f0.jpg

Shimano

[QUOTE=Nubra;22060792]Found this at the local co-op in their "strip" pile. They wanted $10 for the shifters. Rear wheel missing, but I propped the bike up with this one. Yes, it is a wreck, but I love the lugwork. I tried to look up the serial number but their website is very hard to figure out. I think this is a 1970's, but don't know. There mechs are Shimano. Probably originally a drop bar? Or did they just put modern risers on it?

more photos
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7d94a321bc.jpg
Mafac racers
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5f37dc4d9b.jpg
Front mech
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ece8fbc2ce.jpg
The usual
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cc303879ea.jpg
Serial Number, no help
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3deef13f7a.jpg
Flared brroks saddle
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...51e015f05f.jpg
Sealed bottom bracket in place

I kind of like it too. It looks like it spent its life in Santa Cruz or somewhere near the ocean.. I think that that the bars were changed when the basket was added - is there embossing on the headbadge that would give a clue to the maker?

It is an Olmo, thought I posted that?

[QUOTE=Nubra;22060798]I think that you are probably right that it might be a lower end bike but that is somewhat relative. Low end or not, I still think that this is a way cool bike and definitely worth salvaging and saving if you possibly can. Hopefully that Brooks saddle isn't too far gone. Great find!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b14980570.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4c81d2d78.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...95a0ff92b.jpeg
Found a few weeks ago dumped behind our communal bins. Much befuddlement on my part as to its age & model but not expecting much, especially with the 'groovy' paintwork.
Much, confusing, research later we have the answer: Bianchi Caurus Proto in Columbus Max tubing. This is going to be fun and vexing to blueprint, especially on my non-existent budget but I have my wife's loony friends in Italy on the case, hoping that they can locate the correct 'aero' fork, apparently unobtanium!
Gradually warming to the pearl coral & black.

Over the years I have found many Park tools in the local pawn shop's bins of miscellaneous tools. Just last week two were found. Usually the price for miscellaneous tools is $5 for one handful. It's like Christmas when those blue handles are spotted.

Just got around to posting the update. Nothing special, but given new life as a commuter for a friend!
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d2a3d063bb.jpg
Renegade Midnite 12 - by Raleigh Canada c. 1984?

Mainly just new consumables (cables/housings, chain, bar tape, tubes), updated brake levers and seat, and a good clean/tune-up!

Veering off course here toward a Vent Noir mixte thread, but if you ever decide to "settle" for the matte black, here's a better deal. For $0.01 more than the ebay listing you get these gorgeous gold wheels with the original black DA hubs AND a 1976 issue of Bicycling featuring a review of this bike.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...64871221476745

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e594efb13c.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f7d7ad984b.jpg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f92097b860.jpg

Just got home with this...... and no, it's not an optical illusion. The fork blades do trail the centerline of the headtube slightly. Bent or made that way? I'll make a separate thread with more pics and details.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1be2ba8906.jpg

Yes, it is an Olmo as someone has already said. The big clue was the headset, but then the badge matched the same shape as an Olmo badge, so it's an Olmo.

Every tall bike that I ever seen the forks seemed to be bent back just a tad, not sure if that was due to the extra length of the fork combined with the bike manufactures didn't make the fork any more stouter than a regular size bike combined with rider weight and time; OR, it could be that the headset is worn and the play moves the fork back just a tad which gives it the appearance of being bent.

Impact damaged or otherwise, she is puurrrty!

No play or binding in the headset. I put a straight edge down the headtube and the fork blades do trail but not as badly as it appears in the picture.

It seems to me that I read somewhere on this forum that Peugeot built their forks like this from the start, with a certain amount of "trail" built in. Is my memory failing again? Am I misremembering?

I didn't know Uri Geller was on this list! *ducking*

These are some great saves! I am excited to get started on the 1987 Kuwahara Butte XL mtb I just yanked from a rust pile. Pics when the forum allows a newbie to post ‘em. (3of10)

Great accidental find today when I was picking up my groceries. Miyata 912, outside a sports store with a buy it now price. Pink is the theme of my day!
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f30836aba.jpeg

With my recent find (posted upthread) I have to agree that pink & black steeds are for winners!!

You are there, does it look the same bend when you eyeball it in the exact same position as the camera was in?

It could be very slightly bent and bent at the steerer tube slightly, or it's an illusion, or the bike was built that was as one poster mentioned.

Bent right where the steerer tube meets the crown. I'm going to find some bar stock to just fit inside the steerer for support and give it a little "nudge" then inspect for signs of cracking or fatigue. If it passes back in it goes. Been in QC for 43 years, much of it doing just that type of inspection. Plus I picked a metal working tip or two along the way so I trust me. ;)

Ok, that's what I thought I saw too. Since the bend is very slight, I doubt it would be cracked or fatigued, they probably were a big rider and hit a pothole or something that bent it just a hair. I see that a lot on large frame bikes like yours. They should have built the forks more stout on those large size bikes.

You may have to finesse the insert if the steerer has two different ID's, as it would if reinforced at the bottom. If it is, try to find a quill stem that has an ID the same as the smaller steerer ID, use that as a sleeve for your bar.

I also have a PXN10 and a PRN10 frameset and the forks don't trail like this.

Thanks for the heads up! :thumb: