I picked up a pair of Fratelli Brivio high-flange Pista hubs laced to badly tattered Nisi tubular rims recently. I'm pretty sure they date from the late '50s-early '60s, for they came off a local Frejus which I am familiar with.
I delaced the front hub from the rim to polish the aluminum flanges, but found that they didn't respond well to polish, and remain quite dull. See photo:
http://www.jaysmarine.com/
Is this the normal finish of a Fratelli Brivio high-flange? Somehow I doubt it, particularly as it seems to have a few tiny spots which shine nicely. I wanted to consult the experts here before I tried any polishing techniques.
Incidentally, would it be a crime to sandpaper and compound these flanges to make them look nice again? Far as I see it, the hubs do not have any anodizing on them, so sanding the top layer wouldn't pose a hazard in damaging the anodizing.
Regarding the Frejus:
If anyone knows the whereabouts of an all-chrome, approx. 56-58cm Frejus track frame w/cheap Motobecane crankset in Miami, Florida, please, let me know about it. I saw this bike 6 months ago at a LBS, where it was left by its former owner. It vanished about a month ago - shop said the fellow picked it up when I went there...but on the phone, they told me it probably went to their warehouse (A likely story, either of the two. Lies.)
Anyway, not a word was heard about this thing again until I stepped into one of my favorite one-man-show LBSs on Tuesday. Knowing I like vintage stuff, he pulled out an old track wheelset - the wheelset that unquestionably came from the Frejus - particularly noticeable by the 36 galvanized spokes up front, and the 32 stainless spokes in back, each with a star on their head. Turns out one of the local junk-bike finders - who I know as well - found these wheels in a dumpster. At what shop, I do not know, but I intend to look into it.
In the meantime though, if anyone in Miami, Florida has seen this frame, give me a shout.
Take care,
Kurt K.
cudak888@aol.com
Miami, Florida USA