Where are all the NOS Legnano bikes coming from? Are they for real or fake?

I have had many inquiries from readers about the large number of new-old-stock (nos) Legnano bikes that have been turning up for sale in recent years.  The question is, “Are they real or are they reproductions”?  Although I have hesitated to offer a definitive answer, I have generally believed them to be the real thing […]

1972 Frejus Campione del Mondo joins the collection

Frejus is one of the big historic Italian brands that was founded by Emmo Gelfi in 1896 and acquired by Emilio Bozzi S.p.A. in 1946, joining the Legnano and Wolsit brands and production. The Campione del Mondo was the top road model for Frejus having won 11 World Championships and counting by 1958.  This 1972 […]

Bringing a 1970 Roma Olimpiade back into service — Part 2: The Build

Short of the bottom bracket, you will recall from Part 1 that this Roma came into my possession as a bare frame.  The BB cups were a modern Shimano variety and went to the parts bin however the axle was a period correct Campagnolo Record part so it may remain with the build.  In my way […]

Bringing a 1970 Roma Olimpiade back into service — Part 1: The Frame

As you can see from the sidebar, the Legnano collection is well into the double digits so it is time to stop counting. There is apparently a personality type associated with ‘collecting’ however I can honestly say that it is just the love of old bikes and the satisfaction of taking them apart and putting them […]