• Bianchi Bike Models

1. Feb 03, 2011  So I'm looking at my bottom bracket and cant find any numbers stamped. I take off the cable guides and clean it up and find a 7 stamped on it. Am i missing something? It is a steel reparto corse frame early '90's. I just wanted to submit the serial number to Bianchi and see what they say about it. Any suggestions?
2. Help identifying an old Bianchi. The serial number is stamped on the head tube and is something like this' OE 30848' could be wrong about the first letters tho' they are quite hard to make out. Maybe OL or 01. This is quite a low end 'lightweight' bike - Bianchi traded on their reputation (and still do).

Bianchi Eduardo Reparto Corsa serial numbers Placed in ascending serial number order. (Not that this approach yields exact dating.?) Updated 7.13.2016. Another Bianchi race bike registry, more complete, is the R egistrostoricocicli.com: Owner: Description: Serial number: Approximate date of manufacture (estimates made by owners) Paolo Sala.

I receive many requests from readers asking to date the production year of their Legnano and I am happy to help with as much information as possible. However it is increasingly difficult to come across a Legnano that is completely unchanged from the day it rolled off the assembly line. In some cases as many as 70+ years may have passed and parts may have been replaced due to normal wear or perhaps the original owner’s desire to improve the performance of their bike as new products came available.

As an example, I came across a Roma Olimpiade recently from the early 60’s that was being sold by its original owner however the Universal 61 brake callipers had been upgraded to the Universal 68 model when they were released in 1968. I have seen similar upgrades with Campy brakesets when they came available to complete the ‘gruppo’ on Roma models from the early to mid 60’s. Wheels also came and went, particularly on road bikes that were raced competitively. Chains and freewheels are two other components that are commonly not original on most vintage bikes. Keep in mind however that bicycle parts or components were not changing up every year or two as they are today and many parts stayed in production for decades with little if any change beyond a production date stamp (in some cases). So it is best to keep this in mind when dating vintage bikes and acknowledge it may only be the frame that can be truly dated to a production year, and even then it is not an exact science. A number of years back I decided to begin compiling a list of Legnano serial numbers that I am posting here as reference for anyone trying to date a Legnano frame.

The Legnano serial numbers presented in the link below have only been included if supporting photography of the bicycle was available, including an image of the serial number. The objective was not to question anyone but rather to ensure as much authenticity and accuracy as possible. As they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words” and also much more interesting than just a long list of numbers. This listing is current as of December, 2017 If you have a Legnano that you would like to add to the listing, photos including an image of the serial number can be sent to info@condorino.com. In addition to the serial number listing, I am adding the supporting photo documentation for each of the bikes to this website as time permits.

This will provide an interesting visual history of the various components and companies that Legnano worked with over the years in building their bikes. A special work of thanks and acknowledgement to the or translated the ‘Historical Cycles Registry’ of Italy for providing the background on the Legnano serial number sequences, and also to Dale Brown and the website that has maintained a voluntary listing of Legnano serial numbers for many years. In addition, a personal word of thanks to both Dale and the RSC for returning emails and helping this effort. According to the RSC registry, Emilio Bozzi S.p.A. Used a common or shared sequence of serial numbers for all three of their brands: Legnano, Wolsit and Perla. This is understandable as all three of the Bozzi brands were produced in the same factory.

Legnano was also the last of the three brands to be acquired by Emilio Bozzi, originally founded by Vittorio Rossi in 1902. As an aside, Legnano’s long time rival Bianchi was founded in 1885. The RSC registry shows that the began in 1920, about the time that Emilio Bozzi acquired the Legnano brand, and were ‘reset’ or redefined in format at several points in time. Here is how it all plays out.

Legnano Serial Numbers Stamped on the Head Lug: 1920 – 1938 1920 – 1924: five numbers only stamped horizontally on the upper head lug (e.g. 1925 – 1934: one letter followed by four numbers stamped on upper head lug (e.g. 1935 – 1938: four numbers followed by a letter stamped on the upper head lug (e.g. 5521S). Legnano Serial Numbers stamped on the Seat Lug: 1939 – 1966 1939 – 1941: one lower case letter followed by four numbers (e.g. A2729) 1941 – 1966: two upper case letters followed by four numbers stamped vertically, reading top to bottom ((e.g.

AB2367 in 1941, EX3632 in 1961). All Legnano models except the Tipo Roma and Roma Olimpiade models. 1941 – 1966: two upper case letters followed by four numbers stamped horizontally on the back of the seat lug for Tipo Roma and Roma Olimpiade models only (e.g.

BO5289 in 1946, EB1056 in 1958, FS1113 in 1966). The Association RSC states that the two letters were dropped and only the four numbers were stamped on Roma models produced for Legnano teams and sponsored competitors from as early as 1937.

Above is Roma Frame number 4621 that was built by Bianchi Uno (Bianchi Dino’s father) for Gino Bartali in 1946, the year he won both the Giro and the TdF. Lastly a word to those readers that may have a Legnano bike that they know was purchased post-1966 and carries a two letter, four digit serial number on either the side or back of the seat lug. Consider that Legnano bikes imported from Italy could have remained in the hands of the North American Legnano distributor or the local retailer for some time before being sold. Although bikes today change up paint paint schemes on a yearly basis to define model years and entice customers, this was not the case in the 1960’s. Also, bike shops in the day would sometimes strip an imported bikes of its components, particularly if they were Campagnolo components, to service a good customer if their part inventory was low and/or to realize a little extra revenue.

So potentially a Legnano Roma Olimpiade that was manufactured in 1966 may not have been sold until 1968 or even later. Caution: These Two Digits are not Serial Numbers The two numbers stamped on the back or side of the seat lug on Legnano frames post 1966 were not serial numbers but some other form of production code and by no means should they be confused with ‘team bikes’ or representative of the year the frame was produced. Above is an example of the two digit production code on the right side of a 1969-1970 Gran Premio model (horizontally on the back of the seat lug for Roma Olimpiade models only). I have yet to learn the purpose of this code however it was clearly not a serial number as the same two digit number can be found on many frames. These two digit production codes were also used for only a few short years after 1966 based on my findings to date. Legnano Serial Numbers after 1967+ First a word to those readers that may have a Legnano bike that was purchased post-1967 and carries a two letter, four digit serial number on either the side or back of the seat lug. Consider that Legnano bikes imported from Italy could have remained in the hands of the Legnano distributor or local retailer for some time before being sold.

Although bikes today change up paint schemes on a yearly basis to define model years, this was not so much the case in the 1960’s. Also, bike shops in the day would sometimes strip imported bikes of their components, particularly if they were Campagnolo components, to service a good customer if their part inventory was low and/or to realize a little extra revenue. So potentially a Legnano Roma Olimpiade manufactured in Italy in 1967 may not have been sold until 1969 or 1970 to a customer in North America. Legnano Roma Serial Numbers on the Bottom Bracket after 1967+ In the late 1960’s, Legnano began to build some Roma Olimpiade frames with Reynolds 531 tubing as well as Columbus SL tubing. Through to the early 70’s the Reynold’s production had the serial number stamped on the underside of the BB followed with an upper case ‘R’ as can be seen in the photo below of the that is in this collection. During these same years, some Roma frames built with Falck tubing can be found with the letter ‘F’ below the serial number. By the mid-70’s Legnano suspended the use of serial numbers altogether.

Bianchi Bike Models

I recently acquired a that is built from Columbus SL tubing. This Roma also has the serial number stamped on the underside of the bottom bracket but without the use of a letter designation.

To date, this is the only Roma that I have come across that is built from Columbus tubing however I am sure there are many others out there. Serial Numbers on Left Side of the Seat Tube 1970+ The other Legnano serial number format that I have run across is on the left side of the seat tube just below the seat lug. This format shows up on the 1972 Gran Premio that is a part of the collection, serial number 32142.

Another Gran Premio owned (at the time of writing) by Paul Page in the UK has the serial number 32072 stamped in the same location (fyi. Both bikes have their original paint). Until more bikes show up with this serial number format it is difficult to say when it actually began, how long it lasted or if it was used on models other than the Gran Premio. In summary, this is the Legnano serial number saga as best as I have been able to determine.

I hope this account is helpful to people working to date their Legnano bikes and also a bit of deterrent to those trying to ‘pass off’ Legnano bikes from the golden era that may not be quite so golden. I will provide updates to the Legnano Serial Numbers listing as I continue to document these wonderful bikes. This is a Legnano Mod.02 Sportivo which was a city style bike fitted at that time with a 5 speed freewheel and a single Campagnolo downtube shifter that would have been coupled to a Campagnolo Sport rear derailleur. This bike, or should I say frame, is from the late 60’s (approx. 1967-1969) when Legnano stopped the practice of using serial numbers. The ’17’ stamped on the seat lug is not a serial number but a production number that supported the workflow in the factory.

The Mod.02 Sportivo, as the number would suggest, was one of Legnano’s basic or entry-level city bikes. It was available in blue, grey, a plum red, and green.

And the handlebars or ‘manubrio’ as they say in Italian would have been the Condorino style that you can see on this site. It appears that the only parts that are original to this bike are the single Campagnolo Sport down tube shifter and the headset, and the seat post bolt which you should take care not to loose as they are not the easiest to replace. You can see a small tab with a threaded hole on the right rear seat stay that was used to help mount the chain guard. Hope that helps. Best regards, Mark.

Hello Robert, Very interesting bike and thanks for posting and sharing the pics. I would agree that the bike was produced as early as 1973 and possibly as late as 1975 based on the serial number sequence and its location on the underside of the bottom bracket.

Also, it is only on the early Specialissima models that you find this style of lug work. So if you wanted to pin the year at 1974, I don’t think that anyone could take issue with that date. The frame is also constructed from Reynolds 531 tubing, reflected in the R that is below the serial number on the bottom bracket. Legnano did not make a touring model in the proper sense that I am aware of. Although I was pretty young at the time, I remember when the Campy triple and Rally derailleur came on the scene. Acer aspire 3003lci drivers windows 7. And while it found it’s place for a while with touring cyclists I don’t recall that being the main push when it was launched. The Campagnolo brand at that time was the brand of competition, be that the club scene or professional road racing.

I doubt that anyone on the pro circuit every used the Campy triple at the time but keep in mind that the Legnano Roma bikes that were sold commercially where not the same bikes as those ridden by the Legnano team. Close perhaps but not the same. There is the possibility that the triple crankset and BB along with the Rally rear derailleur were swapped out when the bike was purchased or possibly a change that the owner made after a year or two.

Take a look at the top of the rear seat stays to see if there is any marking on the paint that might suggest the original owner had a rack mounted for some light touring. And there is the possibility that this Roma was originally fitted with the triple and Rally derailleur, Legnano wanting to take advantage of the newly released Campagnolo products to maintain their sales numbers. Keep in mind that the bicycle scene was really heating up at that time with the introduction of the first Shimano Dura Ace components, and customers were starting to look at alternatives to the Italian benchmarks and particularly Campagnolo. Regrettably I do not have a Legnano catalog from this time period which would help to answer this question a little better. Having said that, if you wanted to refit the bike with a ’73 or ’74 Nuovo Record derailleur and standard NR double crankset, I am quite certain the Specialissima model was produced in that configuration. Enjoy your new find and thanks again for posting. I am not sure about the 1978 dating that the previous owner provided to you as I would put this Legnano at early 80’s based on the Legnano decal on the down tube that changed from a trapezoidal shape to a more modern lower-case word mark in 1980.

This Legnano is a sport model based on the lug work, brazing details, components and the mounting bracket for a kick stand on the underside of the chain stays close to the bottom bracket. I wouldn’t invest any serious money in vintage components beyond what is required to put the bike in good working order. Should make more a great daily ride or light weekend touring. Enjoy your new find! Forgot to mention, the ’72s’ that is stamped on the left side of the seat lug is not a serial number.

Could be some form of a model number that they used to keep track of the frames in the factory before they were painted and assembled. No, this bike is not a competitive model for racing. Most Italian bike makers had two top models, one for top competitors and one for club racers if there pockets were not quite so deep. In the case of Legnano, the top competitive model was the Roma Olimpiade. Followed by the Gran Premio with a couple of the Campy components detuned and a little less finishing of the frameset.

Your bike would have sat more in the middle of the Legnano model range for daily or weekend sport and recreational riding. Thanks for the BikeForum link Rob, and I may hop on this thread for a couple of comments as the contributions by ‘juvela’ are particulary insightful. And in general it speaks to the ‘originality’ of old bikes that we sometimes want to believe more than the reality. There is a possibility that the hubs may be original to the bike, not counting the rear skewer, and I would not go looking for Legnano branded Campy HF Record hubs for this bike.

Campagnolo cross branded their Record hubs for Legnano, Frejus, Bianchi, Atala and many other top Italian brands. However this service came to an end in the late 60’s as Campagnolo ramped up their own branding efforts. It was also about this time that Campy also mandated that sponsored riders used only Campagnolo components with a full ‘gruppo’ in place as of 1968. Some Legnano branded Campy hubs may been fitted to 1969 – 1970 production bikes based on lingering inventory in the factory but that would have been the latest timeframe from my research and wanderings.

Hi there from Holland, great site! I am new here and became a Legnano fan a few years ago. A few weeks ago i found a legnano frame on EBAY in a very odd pink white color combination but in the size i was looking for. The number is written horizontal on the rear of the seatpost lug.The number is: EP1443. I was wondering what the age of this frame is, it does not have the little bolt hole for the centerpull universal brakes under the frame number and it was sold to me as a 1960,early 1961 frame can you tell me more? Also the frame came without the decals, can you recommend a suplier for high quality autentic (water) decals i plan to rebuild the bike the way it was ment Help would be appreciated.

Keep up the good work on the site, Kind regards. Hi John, I received the photos of your frame, thank you. It looks to be a Legnano Roma Record Olimpiade Specialissima model very much the same as the 1970 model I have posted to this site.

The decal on the seat tube should confirm this model designation although I can’t quite read it from the photos. As previously mentioned, the serial number 1630R would suggest a 1973-1974 production year and the R in the serial number references the Reynolds 531 construction. Although the forks have been stripped of their paint, they do look to be original or at the very least correct to the period if they were replaced based on the design of the fork crown. A local Reynolds expert should be able to confirm the fork construction by measuring the profile of the fork tubing if you wanted to take the research a little further. It’s a great frame and as I have mentioned before, the early 70’s 531 builds are increasingly sought after by collectors particularly those with the signature Legnano seat lug design which was dropped on later Specialissima models in favour of the more common or conventional cluster that put the seat binder bolt at the rear of the seat post. Based on the colour, this frame was most likely an import to North America which saw these bikes in red, blue and emerald green in addition to the traditional ‘lizard yellow’ colour that did not appeal to everyone on this side of the Atlantic.

You also mentioned that the brake set you tested did not reach a set of 700c tubular wheels. Not sure what type of callipers you were trying out however I see a mounting boss on the back of the seat lug suggesting the bike was originally fitted with Universal 61 center pull brakes that were widely used by Legnano on their road bikes.

This boss was coupled with a brake cable hanger/stop that I believe was unique to Legnano. They are a little hard to come by now but with some persistence you should be able to find one. That said, the Specialissima model at that time was typically fitted out in full Campy Record/Nuovo Record components. In reference to the word ‘Record’ in the model name. And I have seen these models fitted with the first gen, long reach Campagnolo side pull brakes (sometimes using the offset drop bolt on the rear callipers to get the necessary reach). In these instances the hanger boss was either left empty or it was used to mount a simple reflector rather than leaving it undone to the customer.

So both the Universal 61 and Campy brakes would be a correct work up to your build depending on your plans. The Universal 61 brakes will be the least expensive option as the early long reach Campy brakes are not as easy to come by and they are fetching a good price these days when you do come across them. If memory serves, the Campy side pulls were even pricey back in the day which is why many Italian bikes of the time had a full group minus the brakes or optional depending on how deep your pockets were. Hope this helps get things sorted. Once again a great Legnano frame and it should be a fun build.

Enjoy your treasure! Mark Thanks for your comments I agree with all. Re 27″ wheels. I have seen a lot of 1970s bikes fitted with 27″ wheels, even those sold in the country of make. (700c used also at the same time). I have a 1970s Follis that was sold in Paris France new, that has 27″ wheels the whole bike is orig and I have email from the owner that he got it that way.

England seems to have been the start of 27″ When I started racing i the late 1940s we used 26″ wheels then we all switched to 27″ said they rode better took the bumps better?