photogravity

In the Craigslist finds thread here on the forums, there was a Fiorelli tandem that was recently listed. I am curious if anyone on the forums has had a Fiorelli bicycle, and more particularly a Fiorelli tandem. One thing that is going for it from my perspective is that it already has a Sturmey-Archer three speed hub installed.

Here's the Craigslist ad: https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/2822620553.html

photogravity

Bump. Pictures added.

dbakl

Hmm, new paint, rusty chain. Bet it weighs a lot. Looks like a 3-speed.

ericbaker

theres one thats been at a local flea market for months, looks like the same model in blue, really cool. keep meaning to make an offer even though its priced high, but i dont ride tandems,

Standalone 

Looks nice. Rusty chain is odd on a cool bike like that. Thanks for posting the photos-- I'm at work on lunch break and cannot see the CL ad.

photogravity

Not sure about the paint, but a message has been sent to the owner asking about it. Rusty chain is no biggie atmo since it is easily replaced. It is probably a heavy bike, but this will be aimed at riding on the C&O towpath, so weight isn't a huge deal. It most definitely is a 3-speed, which makes it right up my alley interest wise. I'm not familiar with Italian bikes, but to have one with a SA 3-speed hub is unusual I would think.

jimmuller 

A friend sent me a link to that CL ad this morning. I asked him I we could keep it in his basement because ours was full. He said his was fuller.

It is pretty in the pics but we sure don't need a cruiser tandem, no matter how old or Italian it is.

photogravity

I ride tandems and already have two (or maybe three), but nothing in my stable that's Italian in a tandem or single bicycle. We'll see how this pans out.

photogravity

I thought the rusty chain odd too, but that's far from a deal breaker atmo. I really dig the vibe of the bike! The oldest tandem currently in my collection is only a 1984 (it's my Davidson tandem) and this will take it nearly another generation older than that if it's as old as it is stated in the ad.

photogravity

Jim, I understand you predicament! I solved the storage issue by not putting them in the basement, but store them in my dining room instead.

I'm not really much into cruisers or balloon tire bikes, but this would be a nice addition to the collection atmo.

ultraman6970

IMO, for 550 that's a steal

photogravity

It's in need of a little work, but has original paint and graphics... It is hard to find a nice tandem for that price unless you're talking about a department store or low-end brand.

ftwelder

I sold one of those a 1959 about six months ago. The people came to buy my Schwinn delux twinn and took the Fiorelli also. It was a neat bike but in much worse shape than this one. It looked like a two wheeled hearse with spiked fender stays and deco lines. Every part on it had the company name. I think I counted 20 or more logos. I think i paid $35.00 and sold for $75.00

This is all that remains


IMG_3899 by barnstormerbikes, on Flickr

photogravity

Actually, I had noticed that picture in your flickr photostream and was wondering what happened to it. I thought it may have been a flip. I see the graphics are somewhat different that that of the 1961 model I'm purchasing... Yes, I decided to take this one into my collection.

Daveyates

I love this tandem!
Imagine all the fun that has been had on that bike. If my partner and i rode that i don't think i would stop smiling.
Everything about it is so cool!

photogravity

Thanks, Dave. I'm looking forward to seeing in in the flesh tomorrow morning. A couple days ago southpawboston checked it out for me and gave it a (mostly) clean bill of health. I don't need another tandem but this one seems a little special somehow, so it's finding a place in the stable.

southpawboston

Ah, so you decided to take the plunge!

ColonelJLloyd 

What size are the rims?

photogravity

Yes, indeed. And MANY THANKS for checking the bike out for me! I'm confident it will meet my expectations based on your inspection, our follow-up discussion and some additional detailed photographs from the seller.

photogravity

They are MTB sized rims (is that 559mm?) and they are quite rusty. I'll be on the lookout for some good deals on rims. I take it you're asking for a reason. You have something laying around?

ColonelJLloyd 

No, just curious what size a tandem of this vintage would have if not 630 or 622. I would not have thought 559. 650B (584) was a popular size for custom ordered tandems in the 70s, but this bike is older and it's Italian.

If the rims are indeed 559, then you might consider the Compass 559x42 tire and nice polished, aluminum rims. There should be plenty of choices.

photogravity

I wasn't sure what size they'd be either and thought they may have been 650B. I'm actually glad they're not 650B because that opens up a lot of options. While I don't think CR-18s are available in the width currently on the bike (I think you can get them in 1.5), RhyonLites are available, though not polished - at least not so far as I've been able to find yet.

The tread on that Compass tire looks like a Pasela to my eye. As you say, lots of options out there in this size.

ColonelJLloyd 

Yes, they're made by Panaracer, but I wouldn't assume it's a rebadged Pasela.

southpawboston

Right, Panaracer is the maker (Panasonic, actually, under the Panaracer name, under the Compass name ), and the have the Pasela tread, but they are made with a soft casing which results in a smoother, suppler ride than a typical Panaracer-branded tire. I'm guessing the Compass branded 559 will compare favorably with the Soma B-lines, which are also made by Panasonic and have the Panaracer Pasela tread, but with suppler casing.

I would totally go with the Compass tires and a nice set of alloy 559 rims.

pastorbobnlnh 

Dallas are driving up to Boston tomorrow or some other time?