I've been playing a little with my 1948/1950 Cambio Corsa equipped Galmozzi, mostly replacing the modern perforated black leather bar wraps with a faded red fabric tape, and lubricating and cutting down the long, loopy cables to something that, to my eye, is more graceful. The brake cables were switched to a traditional Italian set-up with right hand front brake, which also gives better access to the front mounted water bottle. I also replaced the crumbling Balilla brake hoods with Dia-Comps which fit perfectly - I'll keep an eye open for better Balillas. On the obscure end of things, I need a Campagnolo "dogbone" skewer-end if anyone has one laying around. (Anyone who has actually ever even seen one of these knows what a bizarre request that really is.)
I have a couple of other things on the agenda, nothing big, just replacing the black tires with gum walls and lubing and polishing the brakes. Also the nice Brooks Team Pro saddle should probably be a B17 Narrow as the Team Pro was introduced in about 1975(?). The weather is finally warming up and drying out to riding conditions, though there was fresh snow on the ground yesterday morning. Road test report soon.
10 comments:
I like the period alu bidon on the handlebar. Word comes from Old Norse "biða" meaning small container. I doubt if carrying acidic beverages in the alu bidon will kill you. Hell, just think of all those cans of beer you've consumed over the years--not all those cans were steel. Too bad the bidons don't come in copper. In the long run copper's toxic too, but in small doses it's an essential trace mineral. The copper would take a nice shine.
Beer: 99% glass bottles. One cannot be too careful with one's health.
Nicely done! I found several coats of autoglym vinyl and care worked well on my old cracked and powdery hoods. Even if they stay in the box for now it should stop them getting worse
http://www.autoglym.com/products/products/vinyl-and-rubber-care
Saw this Balilla lever and hood on Ebay - could be a handy spare! (I've bought my rims from this guy)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Balilla-Brake-Lever-With-Good-Hood-1950s-1970s-/281229926999?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417a9c2257
Nice Shrine you have goin there Gunnar.
Looking verrrrry shriney.
I like that.
We have midnight ceremonies with chanting, candles and Italian wine on Galmozzi's birthday - or would if I knew when it was.
Shortly one of the bikes will migrate to our cottage and the t-shirt will be worn.
Say, maybe you could arrange to have a naked Masi leap out of an enormous cake during the BD celibration.
I would like a ride report with how it feels during shifting. Seems so weird to release the rear wheel. Does it feel the the wheel is about to fall off?
MFK
Wow. Lovely stuff Gunnar. I've been searching for an Alu Bidon like that for awhile. Don't have a vintage bike to match it, only a vintage soul.
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