Faggin (!) Italian bikes

[S9626]

Never heard of this make until I recently acquired for free a very shabby frame and forks stamped with the Faggin name. I now know it's Italian and I also know that I know almost next to nothing about Italian bikes and nothing about vintage (60's/70's I'm guessing) Italian bikes. It is fitted with an Ofmega crank and chainrings which are in good condition. and despite appearances I think it's worth restoration.

So, the questions are: what would be the ideal equipment for it? What's different about Italian bikes? And what pitfalls am I likely to encounter?

Any help and support gratefully received

[Steve Kish]

One big diffo may be that it has an Italian-threaded bracket.
Unlike the English 1.370 x 24TPI threading (left handed on the drive cup), the Italian one is 36mm x 24TPI with both cups standard right hand threaded. This sometimes means that the drive side cup needs to be done up by Arnold Schwarzenegger Cycles to prevent it coming undone.

[Mick F]

Agree about the BB threading, but I wonder about the steerer tube diameter.

Do the Italian frames have a metric steerer tube?

[Gearoidmuar]

..another problem with Italian bikes is that they may have unshaven armpits..

[S9626]

One big diffo may be that it has an Italian-threaded bracket.

Yep! Discovered that to be true yesterday.

Can anybody point me in the right direction to find out about vintage Camagnolo, Cinelli, Ofmega kit?

[Mick F]

You can join in on the Campy Only forum.
http://www.campyonly.com/phpBB3/index.php
Also Campy Only have info pages.
http://www.campyonly.com/

It's all very USA orientated, but there are a few Brits there, including me.

[saddlesore]

Leandro Faggin (pronounced 'Fahjeen', prevents embarrassing excuses), sometime World Champion track rider. Turned out some rather nice frames form Padua, using mainly Columbus tubing, though towards the end produced some decidedly ordinary bikes for German and N American market. My Faggin Pista has engaved stays and large 'F' cut-out to bottom bracket, very light with stiff, responsive ride. In short, old steel models worth restoring, export branded stuff not.

Italian BB (touch of threadlock, do it up tight, check it irregularly).
1" ISO headset fits old Italian threading.
Frame will rust from inner tears unless finished with Campy / Gipiemme / 3TTT / Cinelli.

[corfechaos]

Don't know about Faggin frames but I have a Vecchietti from the 1950's...........anyone know anything about these?

[Steve Kish]

You can join in on the Campy Only forum.
http://www.campyonly.com/phpBB3/index.php
Also Campy Only have info pages.
http://www.campyonly.com/

It's all very USA orientated, but there are a few Brits there, including me.

Must be USA, or it would be called Campag Only, I guess!

Mick, as you're already a member and with a mild hi-jacking, can you find out if there is a Veloce 9-speed cassette that has 11-12-13-14-15 followed by anything else, like an 11-21, 11-23 or 11-19? I've been asked to ride a team time trial on my road bike and only have 48/34 rings. This is the current Veloce range. TIA.