1936 Bianchi "FOLGORE" Pista?? on eBay

[corbettclassics]

There is a 1936 Bianchi on eBay that the seller insists is a "TRACK" frame. I have been in touch with him and I personally don't believe this is an actual track frame. He feels I need to research more to understand what a track frame is. I actually had one of these myself yrs gone by. I'm pretty sure I know what a track frame is and what a road frame is but ....

I really believe this frame to be a "Road" version because it has the facing forward dropouts. ALL track bikes that I know of have rear facing dropouts for a reason.

Any Bianchi experts here to chime in and say their thoughts?

------> I do know that forward facing dropouts would never be allowed on any track in actual competition.

TRACK ....... or Road model ???????? ( bottom bracket seems too low for me as well for an actual track frame )

Also - any thoughts on these decals?? Correct or .....

 

[rollfaster]

@cyclingday @Freqman1 @petritl

 

[Freqman1]

I'm no expert but I think its a road bike and decals look more '50s to me. V/r Shawn

 

[corbettclassics]

I'm no expert but I think its a road bike and decals look more '50s to me. V/r Shawn

That’s what I thought. I’ll post pictures of mine so you can see the difference in decals etc. I know that I really researched mine in depth before I restored it.

Maybe someone else can message him as well to let him know that he has a road frame/fixie.

It looks like a nice bike otherwise!

 

[cyclingday]

Yeah, I agree.
The wheelbase is too long to be a track frame.
Most track bikes have that rear wheel practically touching the seat tube, for torque.

 

[corbettclassics]

Here's my '30's Bianchi Track iron:

I never had tires on it but you can see that if there was then the tire is closer to the seat tube. Plus - REAL Track frames have rear facing dropouts!

I also think his is more '50's as it has chrome lugs and I thought they didn't have the chrome lugs until the 50's. I could be wrong but all my study and research lead me to believe his is a little later than he claims but definitely his is not a true track machine with those forward facing dropouts. It would never be allowed in real competition!

Hmmm ......

=========

 

[Freqman1]

I would agree that the bike on EBay is later than '36. I believe chrome lugs may have started about '40-41 but would have to check that. I remember reading something about the seat post binders as well when researching my bike and I think this may be an indicator of a later bike but not positive. What really surprises me, about Bianchi especially, is that you can find folks that know a lot from about 1980 on up but finding someone that can really speak vintage is tough. I had to use Google translate more than a few times to get the info I wanted. This is the oldest bicycle manufacturer in the world and you think there would be a more comprehensive history than what exists. Lastly I would like to know what the serial number is on that machine. V/r Shawn

 

[juvela]

-----

Blades appear pista.

-----

 

[747Pirate]

Hi guys
I’m new to the site but around on several others. This is a really interesting post to me as I am presently restoring several prewar Bianchis.
what many of you have said is bang on 100% correct but.... you have to suspend everything you know then start again when it comes to these old Bianchis.
First off , the chromed lugs. I wouldn’t expect these to have been chromed originally but the frame has been refinished. So they look correct in their design for that era but I think should be painted.
The rear dropouts are exactly right for a 1930s Bianchi - I know them inside out. The question is whether these would be on a pista/track bike. Possibly is all I can say - Bianchi did some pretty weird things. Did you know that some of Fausto Coppi’s track bikes had Cambio Corsa rear dropouts , axles and chopped down quick releases??? So I wouldn’t rule it out.
The forks look very much more pista shaped than road. The fork crown looks early 30s - much more like the M series than later models. And the lack of mudguard lugs is notable as is the lack of any other lugs like oiler , oil filler etc which I would expect to see on a road bike.
Of course the elephant in the room is the refinished frame. It’s impossible to tell what has been done and whether the forks are original to the frame etc.
integrated headset is correct as is the seatpost bolt but these were in production for decades
Without frame numbers I can’t be date specific. The restorer has done a good job in terms of colour and crest decals (down tube decal is later) but I would prob only expect chromed dropouts although if a track special i can‘t be definitively correct . This is a tricky one to say the least
I’ll include a couple of pics of a 1937 Bianchi road bike I’m doing for reference.
Cheers
Mike

 

[labile]

Until 1952/53 Bianchi track bikes all have facing forward rear dropouts. They were pretty similar to the ones used on high end sport bikes and mid 1930s pre Cambio Corsa dropouts.
The frameset itself is legit, the serial number would be helpful to understand if the 1936 claimed is correct or not. Fork is not original.
The restoration work (from colour choice to decals) is totally wrong. The majority of components are good for a mid 50s bike, not a late 30s one.

@corbettclassics I highly doubt yours is an original Bianchi track bike, sorry.