Italian folding bikes by Ed

Ed of upstate New York sent me some photos of vintage Italian folding bikes that he has restored recently.

A few comments:

- the frame is similar to my German folder and other non-Raleigh 1970s folders

- in my experience, Italian and French folders have the rear rack welded to the frame

- the "quick release" bolts appear to be "Brevettato" as mine are

- my German folder also had the tire-driven generator light, but I removed them

- Ed's done a great job updating these with alloy rims and using leather saddles.

Italian folder #1, "the green bike"

"This is a folder that I salvaged from a local bicycle junk yard. This junk yard is a wild place. The owner is almost never there and he is a complete goofball. Well he does have about 900 bicycles. I bought 2 and Frankensteined this one. The handle bars and fork is from one and the frame is from the other. This was a Chris Craft (like the boats) and had a 9/10 coverage chain guard. The chain guard was solid rust. In the photos this is the green bicycle...The green one has a rare Brampton 3 speed hub..."

-Ed

Sorry to make you crane your neck.

Italian folder #2; La Cinzia di Bologna

"...The blue bike with gold brakes is the one that got me started on the folding bicycle fun. The bicycles feature Italian made frames and Inox (stainless steel) fenders. The blue one has rebuild-able black rubber pedals and original lights with generator. This is a Cinzia of Bologna... This is two of about fifteen I have owned. Ed"

Grazie, Ed!