Cool Shop Bike: Legnano with Campagnolo Cambio Corsa gear system

     This bike has been mentioned in another blog posting here, but i figured it was time it got the full attention it deserves. It is an early Legnano frame and fork, serial number B05289 which puts its production in the 1940's according to  the Classic Rendezvous registry. The bike is equipped with Campagnolo's Cambio Corsa gear system, one of the earlier production gear systems. Here is a link with the history of it. Here also is video demonstrating how to operate it.

     The shop got the bike several years ago in New Jersey of all places. It has original paint and decals and many of the parts are stamped Legnano. I am somewhat amazed that all the original parts have stayed with it all these years. The drive side crank is stamped Magistroni so maybe that was switched out at some point, because the non drive arm does bear the Legnano stamp. It is equipped with early Universal brakes and the unique corresponding levers with cool adjusters. Unknown bar and stem combination, Legnano stamped alloy bar plugs made by Gaslo, early dog bone skewers with the open "C" levers, and early Campagnolo hubs. Nice internal  routing for the rear brake cable and housing and overall nice frame construction. the lugs have quite a bit of "shoreline" for the time, another indication of the frames high caliber. It is rare to find these bikes in such great original shape and we are happy to be its caretaker!

Campagnolo Cambio Corsa gear system

 complete with original Campagnolo dropouts, the teeth are in excellent condition. It was common to also found the dropouts with the teeth filed away, so a normal axle could be used in the dropouts.
the rear axle locknut is stamped "CAM 49," so it is dated 1949. pretty cool.

The way chain was moved into another cog on the freewheel(3 spd and 4 speed were common) was to open the long quick release lever to the rear hub, then simultaneously backpedal and move the shift lever to derail the chain onto a different cog. Once you were in the desired cog, to then close the wheel quick release.
the tension of the chain was adjust by the angle of the dropout and the rider's weight on the bike. The wheel would move fore and aft depending upon the gear combination, there was no sprung jockey wheels.

Keep in mind riders in the 1940s Tour De France raced with this system and even won!
see video I found online.-
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Philly Bike Expo cool old bikes

1970s Pogliaghi track bike.

Frejus Track bike

Cool custom bike

Nice cache of Italian steel(early Bianchi with Cambio Corsa, early 1960s Masi, late 1960s DeRosa, and mid 1970s Cinelli)

Badged Cinelli stem on the Masi.

Benotto campagnolo Cambio Corsa bicycle SOLD

Late 1940s Benotto Campagnolo Cambio Corsa equipped bicycle. Complete with Benotto pantographed parts, such as cranks and stem. Corsa leather saddle that is rather dry. The bicycle should be repainted as the finish is rather rough, I can include correct decals for the bicycle. It can be left unfinished for a nice rider, get practice shifting before refinishing, so you will have it understood and won't be too worried about riding.

The bicycle is currently in riding condition. 57.5cm seattube center to center. 56cm toptube. It is harder to find a larger frame like this, most that I have seen have been 54cm or so.