wsherman21

I have a 1968 Legnano Gran Premio (at least that's what I think it is) that my father just passed down to me-

Id like to restore it but am new to restoration -

It has Campagnolo Nuovo Record 26.8 Seat post, Record Hubs, Nuovo Record Shifters, Nuovo Record Derailleurs, Dropouts

Mavic MA 40 Rims

3TTT stem, handle bars, saddle

Specialites TA Pedalier 3 piece Crank and Chainring, not sure what the pedals are but it has Christophe Special toe clips,

Universal Mod 61 brakes

The first thing i want to do is get brake pads for it - can anyone recommend a good pad that would fit? Ideally they would be from the same time period.

Besides that any recommendations of which parts should stay and which could go?

Hudson308 

Pics or it doesn't exist! Kidding... but we do love pictures. Sounds like all the parts that are useable should stay, with the exception of the brake pads and possibly tires, tubes & cables. Unfortunately brake pads that old are going to be like bricks, with poor braking performance besides. I'd recommend Kool Stop Continentals, in salmon. they look period-ish, and will have far superior stopping power to anything made in '68.

juvela

welcome to the forums wsherman21

sounds like a terrific bicycle you have there.

please post or link to some imagery so readers may advise you in more detail.

best wishes with your bike.

David Newton

Sounds like a great, and original bike wsherman, can't wait to see pictures.
Before you do any "restoration" just wipe it all down with an oily rag, until the Legnano experts get a look at it and advise you.
You are in "Grail" territory.

John E

Sounds very auspicious. Give us some good closeups as well as full-bike pictures, and some folks will provide useful advice while others merely salivate. Welcome to the club!

eschlwc

kool-stop salmon pads. like porsche, "there is no substitute."

Lascauxcaveman 

Wow, jelly! One of my grail bikes, absolutely (although I've never seen one bigger than 58cm, and I need a 60+) Post up some good pics, please.

If you've never seen it before, you should also click on this Legnano website; some seriously droolworthy Italian steel going on there.

wsherman21

Thanks everyone - Looks like I ran into the right group of people to help me out! Here are some pics and close ups of what I've got. Am I right in thinking its a 1968 Gran Premio?

Ive already done the tires and tubes - although Im not sure Im happy with the tires I put on.. they are new Forte Pro+ soft beads, is there something else I should go with to be truer to the restoration?

Lascauxcaveman 

Sweetness! Don't even think of repainting that baby.

Most of us would be of the opinion that more old-fashioned looking gumwall would be the thing for tires on a bike like this, and would recommend panaracer Paselas as a good quality, great price starting point. Of course, it's your bike so you get to dress it up how you like. I can't date from those (or probably any other pics) but if there is someone who can around here, they're going to want some closueps of all the main components in good outdoor light. You can find date codes on a lot of components too, which is usually helpful.









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Most of us would be of the opinion that old-fashioned looking gumwalls are better for a bike of this vintage, and would suggest Panaracer Paselas as a good quality, great price type of starting point.

But you need to get that thing out in the sunlight sometime and take some non-blurry pics. We'll be waiting with 'bated breath.

SJX426 

Great bike!

I have Mod 61's and the Kool Stops work well, just do it.

I think I also have that headset on my Bottecchia, could be wrong! I think it is a 1973 so you are in the right range of years. VeloBase.com - Component: Way-Assauto (steel)

rootboy 

A real beauty. That needs nothing. Other than maybe a full strip down, careful cleaning, re-lube and re-assembly.

Then, if you wanted to get fancy, get some new TA stickers for the crank arms from Boulder Bicycle.

Wonderful bike. When you get a chance, please take that baby outside and get some good pictures of it so we can all appreciate it mo' better. Thanks.

rootboy 

Interesting that it has a TA crank on it. Perhaps not original but I'm not sure of that.

randyjawa 

The pictures don't show me the details needed to make the Grand Premio or Tipo Roma call. Based on components and the front fork drop out, you have Legnano's top dog, the Tipo Roma.

Show us a picture of the side of the seat tube lug and the front of it. That will answer the question. Here is my 196? Grand Premio...

jeirvine 

Check the top of the rear derailleur for a date code.

Henry III

I had a gran premio that also came with TA cranks so it's not that out of the ordinary. John Thompson has that frame and crankset now.

dddd

Many Italian bikes came with select French parts such as a TA or Stronglight crankset and Mafac brakeset.


Hudson308 wrote: "...Unfortunately brake pads that old are going to be like bricks, with poor braking performance besides..."

Although Universal's brake pads did not age well at all and will be unusable, many very old brake pads made by Dia Compe, including those branded by Suntour, remain excellent to this day.
I can't say the same for Shimano's brake pads, though Campagnolo's pads from the 1970's still work quite well enough in most cases.

Is anyone aware of a slide-in replacement pad for Universal brake pad holders? Is this worth considering? Their holders are different, use a thin, concave-headed bolt threading into an integral sleeve (instead of using a nut on an integral threaded stud).

repechage

Good pads, but... I am not at home right now to check, as I recall the Universal pad holders have a bit different cross section than most and you might need to replace the whole pad and holder. (save the originals if you find this condition)

wsherman21

Thanks for the feedback everyone - attached are more pics in better lighting.

wsherman21

More.

wsherman21

Few more

rootboy 

Thanks for the extra pics. Very nice. Pat. 72 rear. Seems about right. And the early 70s tire savers fit right in.

jeirvine 

That is one lovely bike, and should clean up nicely with a little care.

Pars 

Those brake pad holders look to be similar to Weinmanns? Never had any universal brakes myself. I wonder if the Koolstop pad inserts for Weinmann might work?

Kool Stop International - High Performance Bicycle Brake Pads Since 1977

EDIT: Forgot to mention that does look like a very nice bike. And will +1 the comments do not repaint! Clean it carefully (maybe some scratch-x, do a search here for cleaning), wax and put it back together. Maybe replace the bearing balls as well.

JohnDThompson 

Still haven't gotten around to fixing the chainstay yet, though. The frame's too big for me so I haven't been terribly motivated. I do have the parts, should the inspiration strike...

randyjawa 

Once again, I can't tell which model the OP has, however; the bicycle is a 70's model. A 68 would have the seat clamp bolt in front of the seat tube lug. Also, the head tube would sport a badge, rather than a decal or sticker. Either way, the bike is very nice and a worthy machine to refurbish/restore and, of course, ride.