Thursday, September 4, 2014

For Sale: Biemmezetta made Palo Alto / Performance Bikes light touring bike circa mid 1980's

     This bike took a bit of research to find out where it came from and who built it. We acquired it a few months back and I have been curious about it every time I walk past it. At first I was told it could have been built by Chris Chance, which I was psyched on. Then I looked at the BB shell, which has a stamp of  BMZ 55. I thought, Biemezzeta? Which turned out to be correct. Back in the mid 1980's these were brought in from Italy to the Palo Alto Bike shop in Palo Alto, California and had their decals applied to them. Performance Bikes also did the same thing and after some valuable input from some of our readers, I have concluded that this is actually a Performance sold bike and NOT a Palo Alto sold one. The model is the "blue ridge", and it is a top quality Italian built sport touring bike.
     The frame is built with Columbus double butted tubing and Columbus fork blades. The Columbus logo is cast into the fork crown and the seat stay caps, a pretty unique feature I think. Campagnolo fork tips and rear drop outs, braze-ons  for a rear rack (chain stays), and water bottle braze ons on top of, and beneath the down tube. finished in a nice gun metal grey. the measurements are as follows:
  • seat tube is 55CM CTC
  • top tube is 56CM CTC
  • stand over height is 31 1/2"
     The component are a quality mixed  bag.
  • Campagnolo NR high flange hubs laced to Rigida 700C rim (front) and a Wolber gentleman 81 (rear) which is a bit wider than the front and uses a 28mm Specialized touring tire. The front is a 25mm Specialized touring tire. 
  • Campagnolo NR brake calipers (nutted)
  • Campagnolo Super Record brake levers with AME replacement ergo hoods (black)
  • Sakae bars and SR stem (90mm extension)
  • Campagnolo NR head set
  • Shimano 600 (arabesque) down tube friction ahifters
  • Sugino AT triple crank set
  • Sugino bottom bracket (Italian thread)
  • Suntour Moun-tech front derailleur
  • SR seat post and unknown touring saddle
  • Huret Eco Duopar rear derailleur
  • Nice wide range Suntour freewheel
The chrome and paint are in fantastic shape, I made minimal effort to clean up the bike and it shines! Pedals not included, but I am sure I could come up with something suitable if you would like. This bike just needs a tune up and is ready to go! Perfect for a long weekend trip in the upcoming fall season.
                                      Cost is $850.00 email at: bikeville@gmail.com with any questions.
We can deliver to any upcoming tri state swap meets, shipping will have to be calculated.
Thanks!
                                                              SOLD!


























2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that might be a Performance frame, not Palo Alto. Performance used the Blue Ridge name for the touring frames. Biemezzeta built for both of them and the details are almost identical. In fact, I have the race version of that frame, bought with no history and a repaint, and I can't tell which shop it was sold through.

Rich F.

Anonymous said...

I'm petty sure that I'm the one who suggested it was Palo Alto based on the Columbus engraving in the fork crown and stay caps...but I agree with the above, it could be Performance.