Hi, I bought what was offered as a "NOS LEGNANO OLYMPIADE" from 1978 on Ebay, by a seller called "Eisenherz Bikes," and although the bike is unquestionably very nice I'm beginning to think the seller is making these NOS Legnanos and Frejus' himself, and that they are not authentic. That is, I think the frames are made by somebody other than Legnano, and he paints them up fresh and sticks on new stickers and sells them as authentic.
I have a few reasons to think they are fake, and if there are any Legnano experts out there, please assist this inquiry.
1. The paint seems too perfect to be 40 years old, NOS or not NOS.
2. My previous Legnanos always had serial numbers -- including one I own now, which I know to be authentic -- usually at the very top of the seat tube, or on the bottom bracket. I can't find any serial number on my bike at all!
3. Every single decal is perfect and every one is easily available in reproduction sets on Ebay.
4. My bike has "diamond-shape" cut-outs in the lugs. He just posted a "new" NOS Legnano Olympiade, and THIS one has oval shaped cut-outs in the lugs. Surely Legnano didn't do this.
5. The seller has been hostile regarding any polite inquiries I've made about the origins of the bikes he sells.
6. He seems to have an unending supply of NOS Vintage bikes, but only ones that you can buy the label sets for.
7. He wants buyers to buy the bikes "off of Ebay" and this way avoids negative feedback.
8. The component mix seems to vary from bike to bike.
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