After so much elbow oil grease (thank you @Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works ), this is the result I'm proud of: A working Graziella, ready to take me around Salento (area in Pulia, south of Italy)(maybe that's too much... maybe I'll move just in the town ๐Ÿ˜…)

There is still quite some rust, but the pedals flow and the brakes work well (enough).

Do you know this old folding-bike style? The original one was called Graziella, in the '60s, and then all the Italian manufacturers produced their version. But I think it's not known outside of Italy. Cheap, sturdy, practical... The old ones sell for a good price, if in good state (not this one ๐Ÿ™ƒ )

Also a picture while I was restoring it:

picture of the bike upside down with a wheel disassembled

crosspostated from: https://social.tchncs.de/users/lgsp/statuses/117150575857916610

Side photo of a green Graziella leaning against a dry stone wall. Behind it is Mediterranean vegetation, the sky is blue
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[โ€“] 5 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Great work!

If you care about the idiom, in English we say "elbow grease" rather than "elbow oil" but your version is perfectly understandable and I think it's charming.

  • source
  • hideshow 3 child comments
  • [โ€“] [S] 6 points 1 month ago (2 children)

    thanks!

    funny how some expression are so similar in different languages... In Italian it's "olio di gomito" which I translated literally, as I forgot it was grease, in English. Thank you for pointing that out!

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [โ€“] 2 points 1 month ago

    There's very little difference between grease and oil in English (grease just implies thicker for lubricant so that's the phrase). I think I prefer the Italian version though tbh!

    Fantastic bicycle and great restoration! Bella!!!

  • source
  • parent