Jon asked: "Having just joined this community I'm hoping someone out there can provide me with some background information/history on a couple of Italian marques. I have restorable examples of each, acquired in Italy.First being "Viscontea", frame no. of mine is 82659.This one has serrations along the rear wheel spindle cut outs excuse my ignorance but what are these for ? It's fitted with a normal 4 speed cassette currently."
Viscontea is an Italian company that was founded in 1937 in Milan. It was an industrial public company, rather than being a 'boutique' framebuilder. The company was run by a reasonably successful former amateur racer by the name of Ottavio Tamassia. It was located in via G. La Masa. In the immediate post-WWII period, they were among the fastest Italian bike companies to get construction back up to speed and were therefore reasonably successful. They also sponsored a pro team that while not on the same level as Bianchi and Legnano, it was quite well-regarded. If I am not mistaken, the comapny foundered like so many other bike companies in the 50's as increased wealth saw more people switch from bikes to scooters and cars.
The serrations on the rear drop-outs are used for the hubs needed for cambio corsa or cambio paris-roubaix derailleurs. If your hubs are original, the axle of the rear hub will have corresponding serrations. The idea was to ensure teh wheel remained square to the dropouts while shifting. In fact, the two derailleurs that I named are both shifted with the rear quick release lever in the released or open position. The serrations ensure that the wheel remains straight. The number of serrations may help determine the age. 17 teeth will likely mean that the bike predates 1953. 19 teeth will likely mean postdates 1952. Does your bike's seatlug have a neat cutout in the sides? Is the bottom side of the fork crown filled in?
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ