1951 Maino with first generation Campagnolo Gran Sport groupset

Description: I have a new project coming in, so something needs to go. If your thing is first generation Campagnolo Gran Sport, then this is the one for you. Maino was established in 1896 in Alessandro Italy. Riders included Giotto Cinelli, Learco Guerra and both campionissimi, Fausto Coppi and Constante Girardengo.I saw the poor neglected frame on FBM. Rattle can orange, but has the distinct first generation Gran Sport rear dropouts - a forged dropout with integral Gran Sport derailleur hanger that measures 6mm thick with 4mm adjusting screw and derailleur stop at 4 o'clock, easily identified by bulge formed around adjusting screw made in 1951.I sent the frame off to Franklin Frames for new chrome headlugs & socks, paint and varnish-slide decals by SSSInk. Franklin does great chrome work. There was a patch of original paint under the headbadge which was matched. He also did a little frame repair. We are guessing some water got into the non-drive seat stay, froze, and blew a 1/2" tear into the tube. Again, the work is superb. There is a very slight dent on the non-drive top tube. Obviously caused by a wayward handlebar in the last 70 years. While it was against everything in his being, I convinced him to keep the slight blemish as a bit of the bike's history. It in no way affects the performance of the bike.Parts took a while, especially finding the correct Campagnolo bits. Produced for a very short period of time in 1951, the first generation, second version Gran Sport rear derailleur, chromed bronze, large chromed mounting bolt and pivot bolt and holes in pulleys, set screw-style cable clamp, and "B" adjusting screw for changing derailleur mounting angle that is eliminated by the next year, was found with a broken parallelogram pivot at the swap in Milan. I sent it to a wizard machinist who expertly repaired the broken pivot. You have to look hard to see the repair. Works perfectly. The condition of this rare piece is very good. I think it probably broke early in its life and saw the inside of a drawer for the next 70 years, not getting worn out from use.Also produced in 1951, the FD is a first generation, second version Gran Sport. Has the raised lip on the outer plate, old logo and a nut to hold the adjustment screw in place instead of the spring used in later generations.The shift levers are the first generation, third version of chrome-plated bronze version, no aluminum whatsoever. The Campagnolo clamp-on cable guide has the old logo, loopy "L" and all, and the brake cable clamps are open "C".The Universal 51 levers are first generation with the fully closed back and pointy tips. The Universal 51 calipers are first generation, second version with the wrap-around springs.110mm Nani Torino steel stem, 40cm Ambrosio Champion aluminum bars capped with Gaslo aluminum plugs.While I was able to find a Maino seat collar clamp and headset, but after over 3 years of looking, I haven't found the Maino-branded crank. Instead there is an FB 170mm crank with hard-to-find all-aluminum Magistroni 49/46 chainrings. The original BB is Maino and will be included with the sale, but it was absolutely trashed and was replaced with a generic one with good bearing surfaces. Pedals are a personal favorite - Sheffield 658. Also included in the sale are some lesser Maino-brand bottom bracket parts I picked up at the swap.I built the wheels up as winter trainers with the aluminum fenders, the front fender being a 2-piece. Campagnolo Gran Sport 3-piece high-flange hubs with the old logo, open "C" skewers, laced to clinchers. I had a set of Limone rims out of Torino, but when built, one had some cracks, so I swapped it out with an Ambrosio. Also included in the sale is a set of high-flange all aluminum Siamt hubs, the front branded Maino and the rear just a generic "Super". My intention was to get tubular rims and use those hubs to build race wheels, but I never found a suitable set of rims. 30mm Grand Bois Cypress tires. Regina chain and 5-speed freewheel.Topped off with a genuine reproduction Maino saddle on a Titan domed-top aluminum post.The frame is 55cm ctc square and is smooth riding as you would expect as the more relaxed geometry typical in Italy in the early 1950s. You won't be disappointed.Pictures - https://www.flickr.com/photos/68123172@N03/albums/72177720304290867/ The shipping quote ebay gives is high. Please contact me for an accurate quote.

Price: 3950 USD

Location: Crystal Lake, Illinois

End Time: 2024-12-02T03:22:46.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD