I mentioned this bike last evening in my post seeking a Stronglight crank bolt. It belongs to a local riding buddy, and it is NOT for sale. Please do not expect Ken Toda quality, but eighteen photos that I took today can be viewed here:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
Frame: Reynolds 531 tubing, Nervex Professional lugs and b.b. shell, seemingly painted on head and down tube graphics (downtube name is singular, on the top of the tube, and curiously faces the non-drive side), foil seat tube graphics, downtube decal says "SCHWEDEN", 117/110mm wheel spacing, 27.0 seat lug opening, round fork blades, slotted fork crown, BREV. CAMPAGNOLO fork tips (closed "C", but with the little circle above the period in BREV.), unstamped rear track ends, chromed fork and 50% stays.
Serial numbers stamped under b.b. shell: Larger print - 2557343, Smaller print - NERVEX 59*3064*D22(2)E38. The asterisks represent little circles in same location. The #2 in parenthesis is a smaller font than the rest, and on the same base line.
Parts: Stronglight MOD.49D pista crank & b.b. (117mm spindle), Campagnolo Record two bolt post with tiny logo print, Brooks Swallow saddle with full patent # and C61 stamped under the frame, unmarked steel stem looks just like Ambrosio, unstamped steel bars, Altenburger large flange blue anodized track hubs and silver aluminum tubular rims (not shown), unknown steel headset with spanner adjustment holes.
The parts indicate early 1960s, especially the saddle markings. But, the painted on markings seem more like 1950s, I think, and there is a 55, or a 57 in the big serial number. When were foil decals introduced in Europe?
Anyone know anything about this seemingly Swedish, Avanti marque, and have any remarks about the date of the bike? It is uncertain if all parts are original, although all are believed to be so, except the handlebar mounted water bottle cage that my friend uses on the road.
Can anyone ID the headset or steel stem? The head tube logo makes me want to sing: "...strawberry shields, for-ever."
Thanks to all who look...
Ciao,
Mark Agree
Southfield MI