Re: [CR]1930's Atala that isn't

I agree with Steven about the probable dating of this bike -- my first reaction was that it was almost certainly from the 1940s. The headlugs are very interesting with their long decorative tails along the top and down tubes. Did Olmo do similar lugs? -- they certainly do not seem typical of anything Italian that I have seen from about 1950 onwards when simple lug shapes abounded in Italy. The Atala I have just bought has quite ornate lugs but totally dissimilar to the ones on this bike; no likelihood that they can from the same manufacturer. Pity about the rims -- wood rim failure can be quite catastrophic so it would be foolhardy to ride that bike with them -- no benign bending, just total collapse and jagged bits to get pierced by! Hugh Thornton Cheshire, England

In a message dated 30/07/2007 20:49:29 GMT Standard Time, TheMaaslands@comcast.net writes:

The ebay auction outed by Bob http://ebay.com/<blah> almost certainly not a 1930's Atala. It is more likely a 1940's bike or perhaps even later. The stem is from the 40's or 50's. The brakes no earlier than 1939. The saddle from the 70's. The BB axle is solid which generally indicated a lower level bike or a replacement. The head lugs could be from an Olmo.

The fixture fitted to the stem is a newspaper carrier. One uses the springloaded arms to clamp down on your newspaper. These remain common in Italy today.

If you are considering bidding on this bike, do not miss out that the rims are completely shot and should be junked unless you want to display the bike only.

Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ
USA