Unknown Italian brand "Cicli Bono"

Ibr

Retro Newbie
I just bought an Italian frame and I can't find anything about the brand, hoping to get some knowledge here.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_2023-07-25-01-23-49-203_com.ebay.mobile.webp
    Screenshot_2023-07-25-01-23-49-203_com.ebay.mobile.webp
    36.6 KB · Views: 44
  • Screenshot_2023-07-25-01-23-13-168_com.ebay.mobile.webp
    Screenshot_2023-07-25-01-23-13-168_com.ebay.mobile.webp
    74.1 KB · Views: 41
  • Screenshot_2023-07-25-01-23-26-430_com.ebay.mobile.webp
    Screenshot_2023-07-25-01-23-26-430_com.ebay.mobile.webp
    60 KB · Views: 39
  • Screenshot_2023-07-25-01-23-43-600_com.ebay.mobile.webp
    Screenshot_2023-07-25-01-23-43-600_com.ebay.mobile.webp
    59 KB · Views: 42
  • Screenshot_2023-07-25-01-23-20-001_com.ebay.mobile.webp
    Screenshot_2023-07-25-01-23-20-001_com.ebay.mobile.webp
    101.8 KB · Views: 43
The only thing I could deduce is that it was a small builder from the town of Ladispoli, in Italy, province of Rome and region of Lazio, I say this because in one of the decals of the frame you can read "ladispoli" if anyone knows anything, IMG_20230727_204803.webp feel free to comment!
 
I have a list of more than 1000 Italian marques and I did not find it. Surprising since it is not that old of a frame (mid 80ish). It could be that the frame was not actually built by "Bono". It may have been a shop that had their frames made and badged by a contract or independent builder, but generally that was only done with decals and not pantographs. I will continue to see if I can come up with anything to help you since I have some friends in Italy who may be aware of the builder/shop. The Italian bike map lacks many builders/marques and I already know it is not there since I have that map and have already revised my list years ago to include any shown on the map which were not already in my database. Believe me, new marques keep popping up all the time and I have been at my project of listing them for over 5 years now.
 
My guess would be that it is named after Ernesto Bono, a former Italian pro. Maybe he had his own shop after his racing career, maybe he licensed his name to a shop in Rome.
I had looked that up earlier and did not give it much thought since was originally from the Lombardia region which quite a distance from Rome (Lazio) and old cyclists tended to set up shops in their old stomping grounds, but certainly would fit regarding his age (born in '36 so about 50 yrs old, stopped racing in late 60s; he passed away in 2018 ) at the time of that frame's manufacture.
I had not seen any reference to any business he might have run. I would have to dig into Italian business archives to try and verify if there was any business established under that name.
 
Last edited:
Paul David Hewson, known by the nickname Bono, is an Irish singer-songwriter and activist. He is the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the rock band U2. He also built cycling frames in Italy during the 80's.

 
Back
Top