Brett Very few of the bikes I saw at L'EROICA had been restored(there were a number of city bikes on display outside that might have been the equivalent of the Ballooner collectors) of course this was an event that emphasised riding . There was a GLORIA (1930s)with Margerita that was on display in the Hall,it was showroom perfect, I passed this same bike out on the course the next day,rider oblivious to the dirt and gravel, hammering away. Some bikes in the Hall barely had any paint left at all. I saw a number of NR and Super Record bikes out on the city streets with upright bars ,now living the life of a commute bike. In Firenze I saw a wonderful city bike with early Campagnolo derailleur(single pully) and hubs ,toptube chained to a barrier.(I will post pictures to the Italy 2005 wooljersey folder) One of my customers is a famous auto restoration shop,on one of my last visits they had a Bugatti 35(or maybe 37) that had undergone overhaul in England after total paintwork restoration the owner had paid extra to have the new finish carefully stained with TEA BAGS to patina the finish..............................
BOB FREITAS
back to work in
MILL VALLEY,CA