Classic & Vintage - Bianchi Decals: Blue to Red?

This probably sounds a little insane, but has anybody re-decaled their early '80s celeste Bianchi from blue to red? I think the red decals look so much nicer with the celeste. Any idea where I could procure them?..

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5278438490_0995202456.jpg

Sacrilege!

Is that mostly NR on there? Any bigger pics?

You might try trading your frame for a smaller one with the red decals that you seek.

Only the derailleurs and shifters. The rest of it is Ofmega.

The model is a Nuovo Racing and the original decals are not in pristine condition, so I don't think re-decaling would be too criminal here. Oh, and given how long it took me to find this bike, I am not optimistic about finding another one in a 2mm smaller size and with red decals! Though I am fine riding this size so far.

Makes sense I suppose, I say hit up velocals for a custom set. Get 'em how you like 'em.

I bought a Valentino equipped Bianchi in 1972 from a bike shop on Summer Avenue in Memphis, TN.. For several reasons. It was Celeste. It was all I could afford at the time. It had these awesome contrasting red decals in the classic Bianchi script.

Heavy, gaspipe, poor shifting turd, with a cottered crank. But it looked great doing it.

I am a closet Celeste addict, and hope someday I can find a hight end early-to-mid seventies Bianchi. Maybe I can trade all my other stuff down to just one bike. NAAAAHHHHH.

I love the red decals. It was the color Bianchi used in the 50s.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/3067103004_100d2776cb_o.jpg

Giorgio will have the red decals, http://vintagetransfers.it/

I'd get the vinyl repros from Cyclmondo for this kind of swap:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bianchi-Vintage-Record-decal-set-choice-styles-/300367271278?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45ef48d56e

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bianchi-50s-60s-choices-decals-Campagnolo-resto-/300510783832?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f7d6a958

The original style decals from Giorgio will be varnish fix and are a pain to put on and remove (if you want to one day). Although that would be the way to go for a proper restoration, the vinyl ones from Greg are easy to install and will hold up very well without a top coat. Since you are putting the "wrong" decals on it would be nice if they were easy to remove if need be one day.

I'd get the vinyl repros from Cyclmondo for this kind of swap:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bianchi-Vintage-Record-decal-set-choice-styles-/300367271278?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45ef48d56e

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bianchi-50s-60s-choices-decals-Campagnolo-resto-/300510783832?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f7d6a958

The original style decals from Giorgio will be varnish fix and are a pain to put on and remove (if you want to one day). Although that would be the way to go for a proper restoration, the vinyl ones from Greg are easy to install and will hold up very well without a top coat. Since you are putting the "wrong" decals on it would be nice if they were easy to remove if need be one day.

Agreed.

Dead easy install (Cyclomondo) and a great look.

Oh man, those '50s sets are beautiful! But I think too pretentious for my '80s bike, no?
I am thinking maybe these ones from VeloCals:
http://www.velocals.com/servlet/the-121/Bianchi-Specialissima-decal-set/Detail
The font matches my bike's current font exactly.

All of my repro decals are from Cyclomondo. Very faithful reproductions. The vinyl stock he uses is a little thick, though.

Have you ever scraped pantographing off lugwork?
It's just in a couple of places, but I wonder whether there is clear coat over it or not.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5278437638_2b49af25ca.jpg

Scrape off? I'm cringing, can't you just lightly sand the paint out and redo it in red?

Yes, that's what I meant : )

I would first attempt re-pantographing in red on top of the existing blue.

the pantographing is the engraving, it's then filled in with paint (of any color).
As Southpaw says you can probably just apply some red paint over the blue, but if the blue fill is up to the top then you might need to scrape it down some. I'd use the tip of a needle file and buy OneShot signpainter's enamel for your red. There's also a helpful "how-to" thread on this if you search the archives: use a brush and rag with thinner.

the pantographing is the engraving, it's then filled in with paint (of any color).

Sorry, that's what I meant!

It's filled in almost to the top, and red does not show up well over that shade of blue, so I will probably scrape it down a bit.

Sorry, that's what I meant!

no apologies, we're all friends, here (aren't we?);)
I'm just being a terminology-nazi so the newbies don't start corrupting the beautiful language of C&V through ignorance...and I'm preachy...

I also love the red 50s decals. Holiday76 has a 90s era (I think) Bianchi with the old style, red decals. It looks awesome.

yes.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_bYNfObzpWyA/TQjsQw6EjEI/AAAAAAAAAuk/1EQxXGuOdwI/s512/bianchi2_002.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_bYNfObzpWyA/TQjsRJ-L6PI/AAAAAAAAAus/8kLYhFGTdno/s640/bianchi4.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_bYNfObzpWyA/TPa6bSkW8MI/AAAAAAAAATA/XtTw-adN6tA/s720/bag5.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_bYNfObzpWyA/TQjsE6dkUII/AAAAAAAAAt4/KOKsnrVzTbU/s640/april52009-4.jpg


i had to do something to cover up this travesty

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_bYNfObzpWyA/TQjsZe0k7BI/AAAAAAAAAu8/PRZWnUnJpIo/s720/bianchi_commuter.jpg

holiday76 - Holy sh!+ that looks gorgeous!

To update, I received my decals from VeloCals and they look great. Identical to the native ones on my bike, only red. The shade of red is just right and everything looks perfect. I am now peeling off the old decals and should have the new ones on in a few days' time.

lets see it when it is complete. IM curious to know how it looks.