Hi Joe-
Actually, the device that you are referring to is the Campagnolo "Porta Catena". It requires 2 small holes and was introduced in the mid to late 70's (?) and proved to be unpopular/worthless. As I heard it, Campagnolo sent most of the remaining dropouts that had 2 holes in the drive side d/o to America...
Here's a webpage I created that shows it...
http://www.velostuf.com/
John Barron velostuf
Joe Bender-Zanoni wrote:
> Hi John,
>
> I can't post to the list here, but I think at some point in the early 60's the purpose of the dropout hole(s) was to mount a short lived and unpopular chain catcher (6 speed range w/ 5 cogs, shift to the catcher), rather than the long gone Sport derailleur. I'm sure not the authority, I just think this issue is sneaking around. Could you ask the list?
>
> Joe
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John [SMTP:velostuf@qwest.net]
> Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2002 1:59 PM
> To: Classic Rendezvous
> Subject: [CR]re: Dating Old Bianchis & pic link
>
> My Bianchi Specialissima came original to me with a black Brooks B-17
> Competition Standard dates 1962 and with Campy large flange alloy hubs
> with lockring dates of 1963. The seatpost is 27.2mm. It has the Campy
> dropouts with the "Sport hole" on the drive side dropout. The serial
> number is 160682.
>
> The frame has been re-done by Baylis and is pictured here:
>
> http://www.velostuf.com/
> http://www.velostuf.com/
>
> John Barron
> Minneapolis
>
> >From: Mark Bulgier <mark@bulgier.net>
> >To: "'NortonMarg@aol.com'" <NortonMarg@aol.com>,
> > classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> >Subject: RE: [CR]Dating old Bianchis
> >Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 00:36:31 -0800
>
> >Duane Kennard said about his Specialissima, "I'm guessing it was made
> around
> >'64-'65. Serial # is: 164124"
>
> >One I saw on eBay said "I was told this bike was built between 1961 and
> 1963
> >based on the graphics, but I can't say for sure. [snip] Serial
> #1614929"
>
> >I figger mine also is probably from the same range of years, seller
> said it
> >was a '63 and he was the original owner, but I think it may be a bit
> older
> >than that. Serial # is 160320. Mine has the hole in the dropout for
> the
> >"Sport" derailleur.