Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Old Bianchi with bent fork

I've been eyeballing a friend's old Bianchi he's had in the basement for some time and last night finally talked him into talking about selling it to me. On closer inspection and discussion it came up that the bike was in a wreck several years aog. The front wheel is not stock and the fork appears bent. I rode it home last night and it seemed OK but I'm wondering if the fork is a deal killer. That would be a shame. It's a beautiful bike that rides incredibly smooth. It has 1976 stamped near the seat tube and what appears to be the original group.

Can anyone tell me a little more about this model? I'm also trying to figure out what size it is - the only indication I can find are a 52 engraved on the front sprocket.

Here are some pics. The rear derailer looks like a piece of art.

Need to look for buckling on the top tube and the down tube, close to the head tube. Such buckling is common when bikes get in a collision and are frame killers.

adding a few more pics.

Need to look for buckling on the top tube and the down tube, close to the head tube. Such buckling is common when bikes get in a collision and are frame killers.
+1

Look at it very closely and run your fingers over it. If there is any buckling on the frame you do not want it. (unless you were to transfer those NR parts to another frame). If the only problem is that the fork is slightly out of alignment that can be fixed.

The best way to determine the frame size is with a tape measure.

I've had a similar situation happen. If you really, really, really like this bike; it can be saved by a good frame builder. The problem is that the costs can quickly overtake the price of a replacement frame. Good steel is very strong and it would take a heck of a front end impact to pull the top tube lug away and crinkle the downtube lug. I don't see that kind of evident damage in your photos. But that can be deceiving. See if there is a good frame builder in your area and take it in for an inspection. If a lug is separating, it may not be that expensive to have it re-brazed. However, refinishing afterwards is what is going to cost hundreds depending on how much like-original you want to go. It looks like a 55-56cm frame to me. That wwould be for someone about 5'7" to 5'10" IMHO. If the bike feels like it fits you like a glove and you love it like I love my Bianchi Reparto Corse, I say it's worth finding out how bad the damage really is. It may just need a new fork.

The measurement (in centimeters)is done from the middle of the bolt which holds the crank on to the top of the seat tube (above where it says 1976).

If the main frame is damaged, I would value the bike at the value of the components. I routinely do this when I buy damaged bikes. This one has some really good components on it, so there is definitely some good value there. And I would not give up on the frame yet, a thorough inspection by a frame builder would be a good next step.

So what fork damage do you see? Is it just the scrape on the side or is it tweeked out of alignment?

how much does he wants for it?

Mike

Two points, the pics you have taken do not give a very good view of the head tube lugs which would be the points that would disclose any damage. That said, there is one pic of the fork that shows just a little of the down tube and one head tube lug. The tube of that lug has lost some paint. Not enough to reach a conclusion, but enough to warrant further evaluation. It could have occurred from handling or from a shock to the lug.
I would not count on a bike shop being able to repair that fork. If the main frame is good, I would price the bike based on a replacement fork. I had a 290 Ross that I loved, but had a bent fork, similiar to this Bianchi. Not one bike shop would consider repairing it, including the shop that does straighten forks and frames for vintage bikes. The risk of failure is just too great. Maybe you can repair it, but don't count on it.
Still if that mainframe is good, I'd go after that bike big time. A Celeste Bianchi is a real headturner at any cycling event and typically offers a really nice ride.

Thanks for the feedback all. I rode it down to my LBS yesterday and the consensus there was that it just needs a new fork. This shop (Bikeworks) sees a lot of steel that has been in accidents. Looks like at some point somebody managed to get the fork lined up enough to hold the wheel perfectly centered but you can see that there's a different rake to the two sides of the fork.

The ride is incredibly smooth and I have always had a thing for Celeste Bianchis. I'm taking it out for a longer ride today to get a better idea. But at the end of the day, it's a little big for me. I'm 5'7" with a barely 30" inseam and this is more like a 58cm frame.

As for price, the seller said another local shop told him they could get $600 for it but he'd sell it to me for half that.

Any guesses as to the year/model of this bike? The LBS said the "1976" stamp may not be the bike's year.

tks,
Bruce

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, $300 is pushing it. I think at that price, you can get a much better bike without the accident that this one has had.

I think that the allure of the celeset Bianchi might be clouding your judgement a bit. I was caught up in it myself a few years ago but a cheap and excellent Concorde came my way and I was cured ;)

The bicycle is not fromm 1976. It appears to be an early 1980's mid-range model, probably with SL main tubes and lesser quality stays and forks.

+1 to the inpection of tubes behind the head lugs for sign of buckling, paint crancking, etc. As for the fork, if all we're talking about is the paint and one leg being out of alignment with the other, a well equipped shop should be able to care of the latter. Then, if you didn't to go for a proper repaint, I'd paint the fork black and match the stays to the fork for a pseudo X-4 look.

The shop said $600? That's pretty funny. Nothing like competing against a nonexistent offer. I would walk at $300.

While I'm likely to take a pass on the bike because of its size, what would be a decent price for it?

I would say around $250 as is. I walked from a similiar celeste Bianchi that was really scratched up for $300. The one you're looking at needs a fork and that costs money. BTW, as for your walking away from it, any bike that doesn't fit correctly is not a bargain and certainly not worth top dollar to a buyer so I wouldn't get upset about passing on it.

there's a different rake to the two sides of the fork.
Bruce

Differences in rake are one of the easiest corrections to make. It is possible the frok was straightened best as possible but as I mentioned.....left to right rake difference are extremely simple to correct. As best as I can tell the frame seems to be OK and the fork seems relatively straight.

Hows it ride when you sit up in the saddle and take your hands off the bar? It takes a steady hand but if you hold the bar dead straight try to measure the wheelbase left to right or measure from the fork center axle to the BB centeline.

After a 25-mile ride today it's pretty clear this frame is too big for me.

But while out I stopped in another LBS that often has older bikes on consignment and took a sweet Pinarello out for a spin. Fits like a glove and fell in love with the ride and original Pinarello leather saddle. The decals are messed up and the Campy group has been replaced with Shimano 105 but damn, it's a nice bike.

Shop says it's an early to mid 80s. Unsure of the model and I don't have pics but the seller's asking price of $650 feels steep. This could be a bad habit.

B

Welcome to the club!

I have a bike that looks virtually identical to that one but in a 54cm. Mine is an Alloro - but I have not found any information about my particular bike online. There should be another number on the other side of the tube that has a date code- mine is a 1984. Mine has a Columbus Tretube sticker and it is made in Italy. I actually had the bike sold for $350 pretty easily here in MN - but then changed my mind and ended up keeping it and putting more modern drivetrain on it to ride it. It rides awesome - I am very happy and I put all the Campy stuff and original parts in a safe place if I decide to sell it.

Here are a few pics of mine...
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x281/Dhorn33/bikes/bianchi1-1.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x281/Dhorn33/bikes/bianchi.jpg

I would guess this is an 82 or 83 Nuovo Racing.