Classic & Vintage - '88 Trofeo "Argentin Celeste" refurbishning *pics*

Hello Everyone. OK I tried to tag this to the 'huge thanks to Al' thread but it fell off the front page after I posted the unpacking pics. so hoping it was not lack of interest in the project but just that no one realized the story was continuing. so here goes.

here is my 'new to me' '88 Bianchi Trofeo in "Argentin Celeste" Bianchi (Columbus) Formula Two tubing, Miche hubs and FIR rims, TTT bar and stem. the brakes and derailleurs are covered later. thank you again Chicago Al for all your help. :)

I got the Trofeo last friday and started to diaassemble and clean it up. overall the bike was in good shape and not quite as dirty as I expected. here is the bike as it came out of the box.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=163687&d=1281199318



here is the Trofeo after some basic cleaning and removing the tape, BLs, cranks and BB, (see the Ofmega BB taper thread for story of the cranks) tires and torn seat.
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=163686&d=1281199294


I took the other parts off and cleaned them up, then cleaned the frame and waxed it with some paste auto wax. here it is in the stand. the paint looks much better but some of the smaller decals staycaps/ fork crown did not survive the cleaning. :(
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=163689&d=1281199344


I reinstalled all the cleaned parts, I put new K-Stop daul compound pads on the Modolo Brakes. the BLs were lacking hoods so I am using mid '90s Avanti(?) levers. hopefully the Sprint 9000 RD/FD/ and shifters will all work. replaced the x20 Pannaracer technova tires with some x25 Paselas for a softer ride. :thumb:
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=163692&d=1281199386


I am a bit undecided at this point on the cables and tape. I am seriously considering blue to try and pop the decals. otherwise it will likely be celeste. I did change the bars to something wider. I am not crazy about the anotomic bars but I had them on hand. I may order some Nittos 115s for it. the stem will likely have to go aswell for something more upright.

I'll keep you posted on the BB/crank issue. hopefully Lickbik.com will have me the Phil BB by next weekend. :twitchy: {added text** one odd thing I forgot to mention, the chainwheel 'nut' on the Ofmega cranks took a 8mm allen. unfortunatly there was not enough depth to get purchase on the nut to remove the rings, very odd

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=163691&d=1281199365


Ofmega BB taper thread; http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?667975-Ofmega-BB-taper&highlight=Ofmega+BB+taper

here is a thread I put in the Mechanics thread. kind of a neat tool but pricey. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?669268-Stein-Crank-extractor-Tap-seen-it

that's cool...

Very nice frame. I wouldn't build it up. I'd hang it in the living room.

that's cool...

thank you


Very nice frame. I wouldn't build it up. I'd hang it in the living room.

Oh it will certainly be in the living room but as living art.

That is a gorgeous bike, esp with the front wheel attached.:o

That is a gorgeous bike, esp with the front wheel attached.:o

SSSHHHH I wasn't going to mention that LOL. I saw one of these on CL or ebay lately a 56 I think. also there was one someone just bought posted in the Apprasail forums

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200505287707

So ever notice how you'll hear a name or read about something that is new to you and then it seems like that name, concept, whatever, is everywhere? Maybe there'll now be a flood of Argentin-Trofeos? There have been a few Centurion Turbos lately, three C&Vers that I know of have acquired one recently!

Very nice looking bike. I really like this frame (with black fork and stays)much better over the standard one color(just my own opinion).

I like your idea on going with blue tape and cable housings... if it were me(spending other peoples money), I would probably ad a blue saddle to match the rest of the changes.

Regardless, this is definitely a great looking bike. Look forward to seeing it finished.

One more thing, where do I find the history for Bianchi...like different models over the years,specs,etc?

thanks Roger. a blue saddle hhhmm. Bianchi made several two tone bikes through the early '90s but only three models ever came in this scheme.

well Bianchi used to put out a fabulous book on the history of the company but in the early ears it focoused alot on motorcycles, auto and trucks, not to mention aircraft engines for the war effort.

currently I am not aware of any single source online for good Bianchi information. as for myself I have a decent catalog collection dating from about '81 up until about 2002 then it gets spotty. I should learn how to set up a website and get Bianchi USA to sponsor it.

there is some model information available at the bulgier and bikepedia websties. bulgier sometimes only list a few models and only has info from about '83 to '86. the catalog posted as 86 is actually an '88 though. the few times I looked at bikepedia there had info on say post '93 model but no pics.

great bike ms. bianchi. im jealous!! good catch

I'm also very obsessed with this bike.

Along with what Chicago Al said, I saw the local Trofeo again today. This has been added to my "grail" list.

OK while I am awaiting the new BBm I got just about everything else cleaned and roughed in. I am still unsure of the stem but I think it is too short and will have to go for something longer and taller. I am really undecided about the color of tape to use. unless I change the hoods to white I am reluctant to use black tape. that leaves me with either Celeste or blue. while Celeste ties into the color and the whole Bianchi thing I feel the blue helps draw your eye to the Bianchi decals. tell me what you think.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=163890&d=1281367144

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=163891&d=1281367165

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=163892&d=1281367192

thanks for your help.

Hey BG! Nice bike once again!!! I just saw an Argentin Trofeo on CL-Bethlehem, PA. Only $400 and it's listed as a "56" but judging by the HTL, it seems more like a 58. Also, I think it has Dura Ace parts. Anyhow, back to your bike. I like the Celeste bartape. I might like the blue if it was just a shade lighter to match the decals. Maybe try the Deda blue- it't not as dark. BTW, what size bikes do you ride? You must be pretty tall!

Oops, a third edit because I see that BG already had a bead on this Argentin Celeste. Still, a nice bike!!!!

+1 on celeste tape. The blue is a bit too dark.
Perhaps blue brake housing to match the decals?

See, now that we're looking, they are everywhere! Not my size though and I'm really not sure if that's a :( or :).

The one BG cited that was on eBay is gone, auction ended in a couple of days, before even getting one bid. Strongly suspect the seller got 'an offer he couldn't refuse.'

not much work going on since the big push to clean her up. I got all I can do without the BB, which is 'in the mail' and hopefully will be here on Friday.

I think I will go with blue tape and cable housing depending on how they match. I ordered some Jagwire blue brake housing and I will see how that matches some Ambrosio cork tape.

I had a bit of frustration with the front brake. the fancy KoolStop brake shoes I wanted to use were too long. {see above pic of shoes** they would hit the fork blades. so I decided to try and remove the 'cintered' pads from the Modolo holders and trimmed (well hacked really) some standard Kstop Campi style blocks to fit.

if all goes well I shouold be ready for a testride on Monday.

Criss-cross the tape using both colors. Saw a post on how to do it here on this site somewhere. I think the guy used orange and white tape.
Would look awesome with your two colors. Makes a diamond pattern. I am sure someone saw it here...help me out guys!

You have so many wonderful bikes!!!!

This is another in a long line of winners.


....and I agree with umpire54's idea for the bar tape.

thank you gomango, I think I may try umpires idea if I can find the thread and figure out how to do it.

unfortunatly the Trofeo is on hold again. while likbike.com (shameless plug) did a fabulous job of quickly shipping my Wood bb and Italina rings, yours truly made a big goof. last week when I picked the cranks to replace the Ofmegas I accidently only grabbed the right side. :( while I was able to install the BB and start adjusting the derailleurs I just can't ride it. hopefully I correct this problem Monday.

I also need to send a HUGE thank you to KonAronSnake. last sunday I stumbled across a Bianchi frame on CL in Philly. I was out of town and shortly after I emailed the seller Aron contacted me and pointed it out. I informed him I had seen it and contacted the seller, and he offered to go down the street and pick it up! I went over today to pick it up and take a peek at Aron's 'stash' and his 'stock'. I guess I should have paid more attention to that Maccaroni bike he was selling it was very nice. his personal bikes are very nice esp one of his Raleighs.

OH the frame... well near as I can tell the frame is '82/'83ish Tretubi with Falack stays. I can't find a reference to what the Tretubi tubes are but I assue it is something between Alle and SL quality. also as the fork has Tange ends I don't think it is original but is a nice chromed fork. the seller advertised it as a Trofeo but I had thought it was a Campione del Italia or Tipo Corse. on closer inspection I think it is a Nouvo Racing frame. I'll try and post some pics later.

as promised here are some pics of the new Nouvo Racing frame.

Don't ask me why I bookmarked this but here you go;
http://www.wastedlife.org/bike/harlequin/index.html
Beautiful bikes BG.