Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1981 bianchi

what info do you need to know what it is worth?

Bicycle model, brand & model of tubeset, brand & models major components (derailleurs, crankset, brakes, wheels). Wheel size. Frame size. Frame color (very important on Bianchi). Serial number. Mechanical and cosmetric condition. Your location (as value varies greatly, depending on the local market). And, as they say, a picture is worth is 1000 words (but only if it's taken form the drive side).

T MAR did you get all that?

Model: superleggero not leggera, tubeset: only sticker that is badly worn away but im sure it is columbus, rear derailleur: super record (this is the only place it says super record), front derailleur: campy with a winged design does not say super or record, crankset: campy 52 on the large one and 42 on the small one with same winged design, pedal bars: 170 strada 8, pedals: shimano, brakes: campy and a rainbow stripe design on the handle bar levers, wheels: campy record ambrosio durex 26 1/2 inch from bottom of rubber to top of rubber sew up style, frame size: top tube 52cm, seat tube 49cm, color: celeste, serial number: 3 08 728 the 3 is set up to the left and higher than the other numbers and the 0 and 8 have a prominent dot in between them not a period and there is a small space between the 08 and the 728. Mechanically in great shape, shifts brakes and rides so smooth. Cosmetic great shape for 30 years old couple of wear spots on paint and the columbus sticker is almost all the way gone. But the Made in Italy, Piaggio, head tube, and gold label stickers all well in tact. Gold label reads: Manufactured by F.I.V. E. Bianchi ITALY month year january 1981 Type 00.4.30 serial number located on bottom bracket shell. 70mm bottom bracket. Handle bars have the olympic rings with model on one side and 3ttt on the other side and the middle. Seat post has 27.2 stamped on it. Lots of chrome everywhere. Still have matching air pump. Chain: sedis, seat: PROD ISCA Made in Italy, water bottle holder: REG Italy. If you need anymore details just let me know.

thanks for all the information. any pics?

Seriously, take a pic.

Wow, a 1981 high end Bianchi, in celeste, in a very small frame size! I see two drawbacks. First, the Shimano brakes will cause definite devaluation. Second is the Superleggero decal. I can't say I've ever seen this. I haven't paid a lot of attention but I also thought it was Super Leggera? Unless there's a known variation in a certain market, this may arouse suspision among potential buyers. Hopefully, Bianchigirll can shed some light on this.

Given the size, color and level, this bicycle has potential for a very high value. However, we are going to need pics to assess the cosmetic and mechanical condition, before we can suggest a value.

T-Mar look again, I think he is saying the pedals are shimano, and the brakes are Campi. I suspect the Ambrosio rims are later rebuild

the Catalog say Super Leggera must be a typo or just interpitation of the owner tot he keyboard.

sone one was looking for a small Bianchi from this era .....

T-Mar look again, I think he is saying the pedals are shimano, and the brakes are Campi. I suspect the Ambrosio rims are later rebuild

the Catalog say Super Leggera must be a typo or just interpitation of the owner tot he keyboard.

sone one was looking for a small Bianchi from this era .....

Right, pedals not brakes, my bad. Still a devaluation, though not as much. However he did specifically say "Model: superleggero not leggera", so I assumed it's not a typo or similar error.

i have more pics but they only allow 12. i hope the ones i selected help. while taking pictures i noticed the painted on superleggera. barely noticable by the bottom of the letters. what do you think about the handlebar superleggero?

this is a great looking Bianchi. the decals, chrome and paint are in great shape. whats up with that seat post? it looks very high, if you have been riding like this I hope the frame is not damaged.

the model for the bike is certainly a Super Leggera and a slpended example at that.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=179336&d=1290315317

whats up with that seat post? it looks very high, if you have been riding like this I hope the frame is not damaged.

+1 - that was my first thought when I saw the bike.

FYI, as Bianchigirl says, the model is Super Leggera. The seatpost is a 3TTT Superleggero. No relation between the two, except they're both called "super light" in Italian.

is this high, middle,or low end? No, not riding like that. In storage the seat out that far enables be to utilize as much available space. Bike is too small for me it was just given to me and I like old stuff so I am storing it for now.

Oh the Super Leggera was top of the line then, with just one model above it. I did not ralize earlier that the bars have the original leather.

the small size may be a detriment to selling it for a premium. a 52 through 59ish would bring top dollar. if you willing to take this to a bike shop to be packed and shipped ebay will bring you a bigger audience. are you selling this because you don't want it, or simply because it is too small?

I am sure an ebay auction for this might bring over $500

Both reasons plus i have twin girls now and am trying to pair down. I already have a sweet CR1. I would keep it if it fit me better but it put me way over the handle bars. what was the one model above it? And are all the components super record or just the derailleur that says it?

I think the top model was the Super Corsa. I am traveling for work and need to double check the catalog at home but I believe this bike was all Super Record. nothingwas ever stamped you just had to know the subtle differences between Nouvo and Super record.

where is this bike?

So the parts not labeled Record are actually Nouvo? Bike is in Aspen CO.

I recall reading somewhere that smaller, steel, Italian racers are highly valued in Japan, and that if you're willing to ship internationally, you would get top dollar for it.

thank you for that i will see who i can get a hold of over there.

BTW I am sorry not one answered this butyes in away the non Super Record parts are Nouvo Record or just Record. Campi and actually al companies do similar things.

even in the C-Rec/Chorus/Athena era of the late '80s early '90s Campi was still sharing pedals, brake levers, HS and oher 'small' items between groups.

shimano just put different colored coatings on their stuff. IMHO RX100, 105 and 600 were all the same just different colored

thankyou BianchiGirl

I wish I was short.

Beautiful bike! This is an ebay candidate for sure. I'll bet many collectors around the world would get pretty excited by a Superleggera in this condition. Just be sure to clean it up nicely and post high quality pictures.

I think the top model was the Super Corsa. I am traveling for work and need to double check the catalog at home but I believe this bike was all Super Record. nothingwas ever stamped you just had to know the subtle differences between Nouvo and Super record.

where is this bike?

You are correct BG. The Super Corsa was all Super Record with Panto'd chainrings, stem, and seatpost. The frames for the Leggera and Corsa were the same -- top of the line, as has been mentioned already.

Beautiful bicycle, BTW. I have one of its big brothers. :)