Rebuild/Modernize 1961 Legnano Road Bike

[cooldiscretion]

A couple years ago, I managed to get my hands on a vintage 1961 Legnano road bike that looks very similar to the Roma Olimpiade. The frame itself is in pretty good shape and is completely chrome. The only damage is on the chain stays from what I believe is the result of someone clamping a kickstand much tighter then it should have been. I'm not entirely certain if it's worth repairing since I've had someone at a shop inspect it and he said it isn't compromising the integrity of the frame structurally. Regardless of that, I would really like to rebuild this bike using a modern SRAM Force group set to make it more practical. I've done this before with an older steel Chesini Arena and it turned out wonderfully. I'm sorry, I know there are probably loads of vintage purists that this would anger but I am in love with the vintage frame and yet want something with all the bells and whistles of a modern group set. Anyway, I have most all the parts I need for the build excluding the group set. I've had the rear bars on the bike professionally bent to the correct width (can't remember if that's 120mm or 130mm).

Here are the parts I have had my eyes on. If someone sees anything that might cause me problems can they mention that. I know with these older restorations, compatibility problems seem to pop up with everything.

1. SRAM Force 22 Crankset BB30 50/34t 170mm GXP
2. Truvativ/SRAM GXP Bottom Bracket 70mm Italian threaded
3. SRAM Force 22 Shifters 11spd
4. SRAM Force 22 Rear Derailleur Mid Cage 11spd
5. SRAM Force 22 Front Derailleur Braze On (I will have to buy a clamp as well.)
6. Shimano BR-7800 Brake set (I've always thought these were beautiful)
7. SRAM PC-1170 Chain 11spd
8. SRAM PG-1170 Cassette 11-32t

A few things I'm not sure I'll have problems with are regarding the fact that this is 11speed which is definitely pushing it for a frame from 1961. The Chesini I built a couple years back was with a SRAM Apex 10spd groupset and that seemed to work okay. Also, I did a little reading about the BB30 bottom brackets and I don't think that's actually compatible with this vintage frame.

 

[cooldiscretion]

Here is the wheelset I plan to use.

 

[lpretro1]

It is unlikely that those wheels will fit the dropout width of a 1960's bike. Measure the dropout width with wheel removed - it may well be only 126mm width. It is theoretically possible to push the dropouts wider to take a wider wheel if the frame is steel - but be warned this can cause the rear stays to crack if they are not sound. You can't fit a press fit or oversize bb either - needs to be standard threaded - check if british or italian thread too

 

[Smokin Joe]

I've fitted 130mm spindles to 126mm dropouts with no issues. In practice the dropouts are often over 126 and only need light thumb pressure to get them apart enough to get the wheel in. Failing that they could be cold set, worth doing as it is a very nice looking frame.

 

[cooldiscretion]

Thanks for the feedback, guys! The rear dropout has already been professionally spread to 130mm. I previously had this bike built up with an older Campy group set that had 130mm wheels so I don't that should be an issue. I have heard some bike techs say that without spreading the drops, it can cause the rear wheel to sit at a slight angle which is a little alarming.

Do you think their could be issues resulting from me using the 11spd components at all? I know the chain is narrower to accommodate more cogs on the cassette, but I thought that would potentially be the most prone issue.

Also, Ipretro1, the BB is Italian which I believe that means it is 70mm wide, but I'm not sure about the diameter. I assume that if I get an Italian Truvative GXP BB it will fit.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Any Italian BB will fit and there will be no issues with using 11 speed components.

From looking at the picture you've posted I can't see any down tube cable stops as was the norm back then when gear levers were band on, so you will need to source some band on stops. Should be easy enough to find on ebay or a long established LBS would no doubt have some in a biscuit tin at the back of the workshop.

 

[cooldiscretion]

I've already acquired the down tube cable stops and pretty much everything excluding the group set. I went with the Campagnolo band and Shimano stops. I'll post a picture with all the parts I have acquired thus far later tonight.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I've already acquired the down tube cable stops and pretty much everything excluding the group set. I went with the Campagnolo band and Shimano stops. I'll post a picture with all the parts I have acquired thus far later tonight.

Look forward to seeing the complete bike when it's finished.

 

[cooldiscretion]

Look forward to seeing the complete bike when it's finished.

Me too! Lol I will probably slowly acquire the parts as I find them for sale so it probably won't be a build that's happening within the next few weeks. Maybe in a month or so I'll have everything which would be great!

Aside from the wheels which I showed before, here are the other parts I plan to build it up with. I was wrong earlier, I guess the band I have that holds the down tube cable stops is Hurst.

Gipiemme Seat post (NOS)
Low profile set of FSA handlebars
noname brand Stem Adapter & Thompson 60Deg silver stem
noname brand silver ribbed spacers
Campagnolo headset
Shimano down tube cable stops
Campagnolo top tube cable guides (NOS)
Campagnolo seat post front derailleur cable guide (NOS)
noname brand chain stay cable guide (I couldn't find any brand name stuff for this unfortunately. Did Campag ever make one?)
Fizik Arione seat