A few years ago I visited a closed market for second-hand goods in Tuscany in Italy and came across a vintage racing bike. It was a typical Italian racing bike, probably from the 1960s, with beautiful chrome lugs.
The bike stood between the furniture and didn't look very attractive, it was clear that this bike had been in a garage or deposit for a long time, but I immediately noticed that once restored it would become a gem.
I had passed this market a few years earlier and had simply left a Bianchi bike from the 1970s because of too much work on it and too much rust. This time I wouldn't make this mistake.
Happy as a child, I loaded the bike into the car and drove home, determined to return the bike to its former glory. My wife thought differently and asked why I had brought home that pile of old rust.
A decal from Gaudenzi, a bicycle repairman from Montevarchi who still exists and even has his shop near where I bought the bike. There I would certainly get information about the bike and moreover perhaps be able to find the missing decals.
My suspicion that the bike is a 1960s model has been confirmed. During this period, many bicycles were put together by grandfather Gaudenzi in the workshop where Gaudenzi is still present today. Immediately I got some tips on how best to restore the bike.
Unfortunately they no longer had the decals, as well as the medallion that was missing at the front of the bicycle frame, but fortunately there are still them many Facebook groups for lovers of vintage bicycles.
By the way, Gaudenzi is one of the regular repair services of the retro event Eroica .
After some research I also found this medallion and was able to start my very first restoration project. All parts were thoroughly cleaned up, oiled up, new brake and gear cables were fitted, the worn out tubes and the horrible saddle were replaced. New Christophe straps and a new fabric handlebar tape were installed.
After the cleaning work the beautiful chrome lugs appeared and I also got a view of the used parts. Strangely enough, not an Italian Campagnolo but the French Huret for the gears. The brands of the parts used are the following:
- Wheels and hubs: Nisi
- Stem: 3ttt
- Hubs: Ofmega
- Crankset: Nervar
- Brakes: Universal Mignon
- Rear derailleur: Huret Svelto first generation
