Olmo 16" Children's bike purchased 1970

[Coxynotkirsty]

I have just acquired an Olmo children's bike that I am going to restore for my daughter and thought I could share.

The previous owner told me he bought it new from Condor cycles in 1970 for his son when he was 5 and I have no reason to disbelieve him.

It's sitting on 18" inch Aluminium Nisi wheels and was advertised as a 16" frame.
It feels like it was made out of water pipe, but hey, it's a kids bike.

Does any one have any photos of contemporary frames from the late 60's/early 70's

I am particularly interested in good close ups of logos on the forks and on the top tube.

Speaking of the Nisi rims, does anyone have any idea when they changed their logo to read CERCHI from CERCHIO, I am guessing mid 70's

Regards
Coxy

 

[bugloss]

Cough!

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[Coxynotkirsty]

OK, You got me.

Cough!
<rotate>
</rotate>

I figure it means one of three things..

Either

"Hey muppet your image is rotated but I assume your a novice so here it is in the correct orientation"

...although on my iPad it looks fine to me, but it might already be compensating for the rotation
or
... we are at that point of Top Gun where Mav and Goose are describing their encounter with the Mig and Iceman calls BS.
or
...your frog buffy has a bad sore throat (only makes sense if your Australian)

 

[bugloss]

Yep, you got it.

Are they the original bars and saddle ?

 

[Coxynotkirsty]

But I gave you three options

If it is the rotational thing, then thanks. I'm over in the UK from Australia with the family visiting the in-laws and only have my iPad.

Everything is original but very low spec. The bars and stem are one piece and I think it has taken a knock. Saddle is solid plastic and unbranded, but once again, there is no reason to dispute this.

The original owner was George Cutts and was either a Pro Cyclist or could have been. He had to decide between that or college and chose college - he is now quite a respected artist. I can well believe that a Pro or Near Pro Cyclist would want a miniature racing bike for his son. He knew Tom Simpson and visited him in Belguim - they came from the same area.

I just got it off eBay (July 2015) good pictures are/were available.
Look up item 261968810469

I think he either down played how much use the bike got, or clean didn't know because the tyres (branded Olmo) are worn and the forks have been touched up. Close examination of the forks appears to show an outline of a decal, the likes of which I have only seen on two other bikes on the web.

It's not a classic, but I fancy trying to get it period correct.

Additional pictures are problematic because of size limitations and only having access to an iPad but if there was a demand I could put everything in Dropbox

Coxy

 

[bugloss]

You could send them to me and I'll stick them up if you want.

I have an Olmo too, they make nice bikes.