Classic & Vintage - Trying to figure out model of Bianchi frame...

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twois
11-23-08, 04:40 PM
So... I've just made the jump both into the world of road bikes and the world of older bikes with this one. I did quite a bit of general reading/research before ditching the cheap Trek hybrid (goooood riddance) and a friend of mine had this Bianchi frame at his shop. I love her to death, and I'm (slowly) getting the hang of riding her, but I can't figure out what model she is... and my curiosity is bugging me to no end.

It's an Ishiwata Magny frame and has Piaggio decals, so I'm guessing maybe '84, given that the serial number is AS433313... thinking maybe the '4' is part of the date code? I don't know, I've only seen this kind of SN mentioned online once or twice, doesn't seem definitive. The decals are pretty much shot, but I can at least identify them.

I've never seen this color on a Bianchi anywhere in all the research I've done online. Repainted? It sure doesn't seem that way to me, though. It's quite scratched up (not repainting quite yet) and I can't see any signs of former colors.

Um, what else... I'm not sure what's original on it, if anything, I suspect the 105 shifters may be. The seat post is an SR Laprade, the stem/bars are Winpista... we put older Campy derailleurs on and a new cheap Shimano Sora crankset (I'm rapidly approaching broke so the full restoration process may be a while on this). The brakes are Shimano but I don't know anything else about them.

Any insight? I know it's not really anything more than an entry level bike but I'm still curious. :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/3043326911_f7f5cb5ea6_b.jpg

http://flickr.com/photos/knichols/sets/72157609462347693/ - a few more detail images, maybe not anything too useful for IDing it though...

Thanks for any info!