Jon,
The serrations on the rear wheel spindle cut outs (those are called rear dropouts, by the way) are for the a Campagnolo Cambio Corsa shifting mechanism. This was a two-lever system that remoted the quick-release lever up the right rear seatstay (the tube from the dropout to the seat), and had a second lever that moved the chain around the cogs. On the fly, you'd loosen the rear wheel with the quick-release, get the chain on the right cog with the other lever, and then tighten up the quick-release again. The riders weight, coupled with the angle of the slot in the dropouts, would tighten the chain (since there were no jockey wheels to take up slack). The teeth you're seeing in the dropout keep the axle straight in the chainstays (the tubes that go from the dropouts to the bottom bracket (the part of the frame that the pedals rotate around)) when the axle moved fore and aft during shifting...it's essentially a rack and pinion mechanism.
There's also a one-lever variation that existed for a couple years before jockey wheels came on the scene. And I'm sure that others on this list can maybe help you date the bike a bit more precisely by how many teeth are on the dropout (two different counts, if memory serves).
I'm sure that this explanation is about as clear as mud. Lots of pages and pictures out there to help...do a Google search on Cambio Corsa. Look at eBay expired auction # 7243252010.
Enjoy,
Scott Minneman San Francisco, CA
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Jon Fraser Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2006 2:39 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Info on Italian bikes sought
Hi , 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. Second is "Monviso". This frame has incredibly fancy chromed lugwork. Badge on headstock indicates built in Turin I think.I have no plans to sell either but I would just like to know a bit more about these beauties before I start restoration. I can see no reference to these marques in the cr archives so help please if you can ! Ciao, Jon F.
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