Johnson C’s Firenze GL5000

Posted

Super Saturday! Johnson C‘s shots of his Firenze GL5000 remind me that I need to get busy selecting candidates for the OTSG 2010 Calendar. Yes, I know it’s mid-January, but nothing says we can’t have a February 2010 to February 2011 calendar! I will welcome nominees. Too qualify for the calendar: a) the OTS needs to have been featured in 2009, b) the photograph, not the bike, needs to be visually appealing (in focus, nice setting, well composed, etc.) c) the photo resolution needs to be high enough to reproduce well in print. Look for a ballot poll in the next day or so to submit your nominee.

Hey there,

It’s me again, with my second submission to the gallery. This one is a Firenze GL5000. I found it leading against a tree on a street corner at the residential neighborhood next to Golden Gate Park. From the initial looks of it, it looked like the owner let it sit in the backyard for many a’ years, and finally decide to get rid of it by leaving it outside. Took a bit of work getting it back into working conditions. Took out the old and heavy triple cotter cranks and put in old and heavy double cotterless cranks. Front wheel was f.u.b.a.r., so I put on a spare that I had. Killed many a’ spiders, especially the king spider that lived in the handlebars. Non-drive side of frame is very ugly. Rear wheel is not true and eaten with rust, but still works. Tried keeping it as low budget as possible, pretty much all the original parts.

Trying to find some info on the Firenze, and all I could find on google is that it was given free when bought with a stereo in Daly City (next to SF) back in the day. Anyone got more info?

Rides surprising well, lighter than expected, goes up San Francisco hills decently: a good beater.

–Johnson C.

Thanks Johnson

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  4. Sean D’s Firenze GL5000
  5. François C’s Orions Racer
  • Alex K

    How is it 15 speed?

  • Gordus

    I remember Matthews Stereo: “Top of the hill, Daly City”, the owner and pitchman, Steven Matthew David, spammed the SF bay area radio airwaves for years with constant chatter about “BUY THE STEREO/TV/REFRIGERATOR, GET A BIKE!!” I always assumed these were utter junk bikes, but to my amazement, I still see them around, so they are durable at least, and judging from these photos, the parts look respectable. Or maybe it just shows how far my standards have fallen and I now consider any bike useful in a utilitarian sense?

  • Johnson C.

    woohoo, my frienze finally shows up on the site!

    @alex k: I took out the original triple ring cotter crank and put in the double crank. Originally it was set up as [3 in the front] x [5 in the back] = 15 speed.

    @Gordus: thats great that you remembered the advert, I don’t recall it. When was it on the radio, in the 80s/90s? (I might be too young to remember hearing it). Yeah I read online about how crappy the bike is. It has all chinese name on all the parts, but it has not failed me in all the times I rode it.

  • Cameron

    I just saw a Firenze GL5000 in Lincoln Park, Chicago. How’d make it all the way here? I would have taken a picture, but alas, I was driving. Probably not a good idea.:)

  • firenbones

    Much more info on the Firenze brand from the 1980s:

    http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-57459.html

  • laverack

    The location for the “shoot” really classes up the joint. Nice ride!

  • Rick

    I’m a vintage bicycle mechanic and I just finished working on a GL 5000, and I find the reviews very one sided. Mine has a chromoly lugged frame. Decent centerpull brakes.15 speeds 3 in front .5 in back.Decent derailleurs. Off brand but as good if not better than some I’ve seen.
    I found this in northern Indiana in very good condition,and all original. It shifts and brakes better than some of the newer rides out there.

  • Evan West

    i have one, how much is it worth? its in great condition

  • Robert

    I just picked up a Firenze MT 505 at a used bike shop in Fort Collins, Colo.
    My Trek was stolen and I needed a quick alternative. The ride is much quieter than a wal-mart Huffy-type bike, and the old-school derailleurs are kind of fun.
    Knowing I wouldn’t be picking up a slick new Cannondale, I picked my bike on style– and this one’s got more character than most I’ve seen. Here’s to Taiwanese cycles with Italian names!