The first step to dating a Legnano is to check out the seat binder bolt. Legnanos made when the company was independent, in the late 70's and before, almost alway have the unique binder bolt IN FRONT of the seat tube rather than behind it. This required a unique rear centerpull brake hanger, also, which bolted into a threaded hole behind the seat tube, since there was no binder bolt behind the seat to secure a normal hanger to. From the 80's on, Legnanos were made by Bianchi and were essentially identical to the corresponding Bianchi models, except for paint and decals. These lack the unique binder bolt and hanger. I've seen several Bianchi-made Legnanos that were the same frame as the Bianchi TSX/UL, a top Bianchi model made from the mid 80's until 1997. BTW, the "Gran Premio" decal is puzzling, as in the 60's and 70's the Gran Premio was a lower end model with lesser tubing, not 531. The top model then was the Tipo Roma. Maybe Bianchi used the Legnano model names differently.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
-----Original Message----- From: Jim Hultman [mailto:JimHultman@email.msn.com] Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2001 11:12 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Speaking of Legnano's..
Speaking of Legnano's, I've just purchased one & I'd like to get your opinion on its age. The frameset is Reynolds 531, chrome fork, pale blue metallic finish. Lugs are rather long, single point...no chrome anywhere aside from the fork. Seatstays are simple looking; come to a point at mid-seat lug. The frame measures 58.5x58.5 c/c. It's got a Shimano 6 speed on a Normandy Luxe Competition high flange hubset, 700c Weinmanns, the oldest Shimano 600 rr derailleur ( flourishes) , Ofmega NR copy cranks, Ofmega HS, Universal Super 68 calipers. There is a small round, red Legnano Gran Premio decal on the downtube...& a decal in the shape of a scroll at the shifters (Campy) that reads "Legnano 6 Volte Campione del Mondo". The bike is a comfortable ride, steers quite nicely; no toe overlap...neither squirrely nor slow. It doesn't 'feel' as old as the components, actually. What year might it be? Jim Hultman