I am interested in the year of manufacture, and approximate current
value of a bicycle frame and fork that I rescued (?) at the flea
market. 

It is a Legnano, serial number EU7597. Made in Italy, I
think. It has some 60s era parts on it (ie Campagnolo gran sport rear
derailer)and a steel crank-set marked Legnano also. Campagnolo
drop-outs on rear. Someone has
suggested the 75 in the serial number is the date, but it seems way
older than 1975. 

I have seen vintage Legnanos sell for thousands of
dollars, and some for almost nothing. Where does mine rest on that
scale? Many thanks!

Hi Blakemo,

First I’ll provide a little background to Legnano bikes followed by
information about your specific frame.

Legnano bikes share in the great tradition of Italian cycles. 
According to Bianchi.it.com,

“Legnano is one of the oldest and best known cycling brands in the
world. Since 1902 the name Legnano has meant quality, reliability and
style in bicycle production. The great Legnano cycling tradition was
formed on the routes of the most famous competitions, entrusted to
names like Binda, Girardengo, Coppi and Bartali.”

Bianchi 
Legnano History Page
http://www.bianchi.it/eng/about/legnano.htm

Ownership of this old bike company was marred by scandal and murder,

“Beginning in the early part of the Twentieth century, Legnano
bicycles eventually became owned by Emilio Bozzi, who also owned the
Frejus & Wolsit labels. In the late 1970s, Mr. Bozzi was assasinated
by the radical Italian Red Guard party and the Bozzi thereafter family
withdrew from business altogether. “

Classic Rendezvous
Legnano Bike Information
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Italy/Legnano_main.htm

In the 1980s Bianchi bought the company but Legnano still maintains
its brand and identity.

After doing some research on Legnano bike frames to no avail, I
decided to email Velostuf.com whose website specializes in vintage
racing bikes and parts.

Velostuf
http://www.velostuf.com/ 

From the information that you provided John, from Velostuf, gave an
estimate date for your frame as between 1960-1963 and depending on its
condition, it could very well be a valuable frame:

“If it has a Gran Sport rear der, and if it came that way from the
factory, it's before 1961 or 1963.  The fact that it has Campy
dropouts
is a good sign that it's a high-end bike. If it's in good shape, it's
a
nice bike! I have an early 60's Legnano that I'm bringing back to
life...”

Feel free to visit the velostuf website and contact John directly. 
His contact information is located on the bottom of his website.  If
you provide him with a picture and more details about your frame, I’m
sure he could lend more information on the approximate price and exact
year.

Keywords Used:

Legnano
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=legnano

legnano bike
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=legnano+bike&btnG=Google+Search

Websites that may interest you:

Cornelius’s Legnano Bicycle Website
http://patches.3comsbc.com/index1.htm

Regards,

Trailhead

A superb job trailhead, thanks! Lot of information, and the Legnano
history was an unexpected bonus! I will certainly follow up on the
leads you've given me. Very happy with my answer, and thanks for a
great service.

Here are a few links to help out.  It seems Legnano merged with
Bianchi in the 1970s.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/vrbn-a-f.html

http://www.vintagevelos.com/bikes1.html

http://www.cyclart.com

http://www.bicycletrader.com/archives/24classifieds.html

http://oldroads.com

Hope it's worth a bundle!
V

Hiya viola 

Thanks for the great links! I have just spent an enjoyable half hour
skimming them, will come back for more. Lots of great resources here,
thanks!

blakemo