Re: [CR]Since we're on Legnanos

(Example: Framebuilders:Rene Herse)

Date: Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:41:01 -0400
From: "Norm and Val Lafleur" <nvlafleur@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Since we're on Legnanos
To: "eric a" <moschika@gmail.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <b11b673a0808051554o1810cfc8gdf4b486fac1c4d1d@mail.gmail.com>
reply-type=original

Since this is the second Legnano inquiry in recent weeks I thought I would pass on some hints I learned from list members when I was building up my Legnano. The question that arises when redoing a Legnano that has been repainted or has lost most of the original decals is what model is it...for this vintage that means differentiating between a Gran Premio or a Roma. The seat lug/seat tube area is the key difference. In the case of the Roma the seat tube is slotted and the Gran Premio is not. Here is the Mod Roma seat tube:

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/Norm+Lafleur/legnano/IMG_1925.JPG.html

Also my Roma takes a 27.0 seat post. If it is believed that the bars and stem are original, the Gran Premio would have an Ambrosio Champion stem and the Roma would have a Gran Prix.

For the bike in question, the repaint and the most likely added on brake bosses make this a good candidate for conversion to what ever type of rider the owner prefers. It appears to have a number of desireable parts that could be resold to defray expenses. The oval on the saddle top indicates that this could be a semi rare Brooks Campagnolo Model narrow rail saddle as seen here:

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/Norm+Lafleur/legnano/IMG_1920.JPG.html

To the right buyer this saddle could be worth half the purchase price of the bike. The saddle clamps wouls also be specific the the narrow rail saddle. Campagnolo stamped on the lower clamps would confirm the narrow spacing. These clamps are not very common so also have value and can be replaced with standard clamps. Legnano branded hubs and bars might also be worth a premium over standard parts. I know I would like to find a set of bars in better condition than those on my bike. Here is a link to pictures of my Roma:

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/Norm+Lafleur/legnano/?g2_page=1

Norm Lafleur
Ashfield, Massachusetts
USA


----- Original Message -----
From: eric a
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 6:54 PM
Subject: [CR]Since we're on Legnanos



> My neighbor recently got this one off ebay-
> http://ebay.com/<blah>
>
> item #280244572947
>
>
> i'm trying to help him find out a bit more on what he's got. he was
> looking
> for something used to commute on, and like a good vintage enthusiast, i
> tried to steer him in the right direction. I think he got a decent bike at
> a
> fair price considering his budget and what was available.
>
> parts break-down - legnano labled campy HF hubs with flat skewers to mavic
> tubular rims, legnano bars, ambrosio stem, suntour bar-end shifters,
> mountech RD, and a shimano "dear head" deore FD, shimano cantilevers,
> sugino
> AT triple, brooks saddle to a campy 27.0 seatpost. his brake levers were
> in
> bad shape so i gave him a set of shimano 600 levers i had in my parts box.
>
> the frame is in pretty good shape, though it does have a couple dings, but
> nothing serious. however it does have cantilever bosses. Jay thought these
> may have been added. Since I haven't seen any other Legnanos with these,
> I'm
> tending to believe him. It was repainted in fair to poor way too, though
> they masked the chrome stays and forks. This however makes reading the
> serial number which is just above the seatstay/seat-tube junction really
> difficult. I can make out that it starts with "EX" followed by 3-4
> numbers.
> i'll see if i can get a better look at the numbers in better light.
>
> it cleaned up nicely and will be re-lacing his tubulars with a set of
> clinchers. he didn't seem to like the idea of using tubs.
>
> if you have any ideas on what this might be, i'm sure my neighbor would be
> pleased to know. i read the archives on the serial number - has any more
> progress on that been done?
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> Eric Acuna
> Santa Rosa, CA, USA