Hi All - I don't usually cross-post between the list and the C&V forum at bikeforums.net since there are many common members but this really has me stumped and I bet somebody here can help out. Nobody over there has come up with anything conclusive. A member there acquired an older Bottecchia that I believe to be of 1950's vintage. It is not the top of the line model which would probably have come with something easily identifiable like Cambio Corsa or Gran Sport gear depending on the year but rather a mid-range model of some sort with a lot of "Bottecchia" branded components. Here is a link to that original thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/
The bike has a 4 cog freewheel but unfortunately is missing any sort of gear changing mechanisms. I can't really do justice to those dropouts in words other than to say that they are bizarre, front and rear, but have a look at the pictures. Has anyone seen anything like this before?
Here are links to pictures:
http://www.bikeforums.net/
Regards,
Derrick Bourgeois
Colorado Springs, CO, USA