Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Identify Old Celeste Bianchi please!

Hi, I've owned this bike for some time now and I'm really curious about it. Maybe you guys could help me out? :)

On the back derailleur(?) it says Campagnolo valentino Extra, just saying because you don't see it in the pictures..

On the back derailleur(?) it says Campagnolo valentino Extra, just saying because you don't see it in the pictures..

well that is simply the fault of the photographer. LOL are the upright bars stock? it looks like the generator wire runs into the frame is this corrcet? all I can say is, it is a very cool Bianchi and from the latter part of the '70s. hopefullt T-Mar will know more but the European bikes are different from ours.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=191309&d=1298658120

Rekord ? (http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/NITROBOBs-GARAGE/bianchicat/Bianchi78page3.jpg.html)

it looks more like this one.

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/d/164241-1/Bianchi78page6.jpg (http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/NITROBOBs-GARAGE/bianchicat/Bianchi78page6.jpg.html)

totally, in any case I really like this bike. Not what comes to mind for me when I think Bianchi but beautiful just the same.

Thanks for nice response, I really like it too but it's kind of small, and I'm kind of big so recently I've just had it as decoration in my living-room. It will be sold eventually, but we'll have to see when we part :p



well that is simply the fault of the photographer. LOL are the upright bars stock? it looks like the generator wire runs into the frame is this corrcet? all I can say is, it is a very cool Bianchi and from the latter part of the '70s. hopefullt T-Mar will know more but the European bikes are different from ours.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=191309&d=1298658120

Thanks for your response! I believe most parts of this bike is stock. I haven't changed anything except wires, wirecovers and brake pads.
The generator-wire runs insided the frame yes, and it looks original too, with the correct celeste green inside the hole. :)

My initial reaction was a heavily modified Rekord variant. However, it has very long chainstays with lots of clearance to the rear of the seat tube. Fork ends are also chromed. Fenders look like Bianchi OEM for the era. Despite some obvious modifications, most of the probale OEM components are a step down from the Super Tourista suggested by Bianchigirll, so maybe a Tourista? However, that's open to suggestion, being a European model.

About the only thing I can for sure is that it should be circa 1974-1980, based on the decals. If the OP can provide the serial number (probably on the front of the top head lug), I should be able to identify the exact year. There may also be a decal, format xx.x.xx on the head tube, which is the model number and may provide an additional clue.

My initial reaction was a heavily modified Rekord variant. However, it has very long chainstays with lots of clearance to the rear of the seat tube. Fork ends are also chromed. Fenders look like Bianchi OEM for the era. Despite some obvious modifications, most of the probale OEM components are a step down from the Super Tourista suggested by Bianchigirll, so maybe a Tourista? However, that's open to suggestion, being a European model.

About the only thing I can for sure is that it should be circa 1974-1980, based on the decals. If the OP can provide the serial number (probably on the front of the top head lug), I should be able to identify the exact year. There may also be a decal, format xx.x.xx on the head tube, which is the model number and may provide an additional clue.

Wow, amazing answer! :D
3G51194 is the only number I can find and its on the front of the top head lug as you said.. :) Can't find any other number on the head tube though.

Wow, amazing answer! :D
3G51194 is the only number I can find and its on the front of the top head lug as you said.. :) Can't find any other number on the head tube though.

I told you T-Mar would know

Wow, amazing answer! :D
3G51194 is the only number I can find and its on the front of the top head lug as you said.. :) Can't find any other number on the head tube though.

That's really interesting. The frame was manufactured in July 1973, yet it has the decal for the 1973 Road World Championships which were held September 02, 1973 in Barcelona (and which Felice Gimondi won on a Bianchi). Obviously, the bicycle was not completed and shipped until after September 02. Typically, a bicycle completed that late in the year would be a 1974 model. Much like cars, they build and release the new models several months in advance of the new year. This is done to entice potential buyers for the lucrative Christmas season and to ensure there is enough stock for delivery a couple months in advance of the spring season. For instance, my shop just got its delivery of several hundred spring bicycles last week, which means I'll be devoting a lot of hours to assembling for the Easter rush. It also means that I will be severely curtailing my presence on this forum, until sometime in May, when I should be back on a semi-regular basis. About September, I'll be back to being a full-time nuisance.

That's really interesting. The frame was manufactured in July 1973, yet it has the decal for the 1973 Road World Championships which were held September 02, 1973 in Barcelona (and which Felice Gimondi won on a Bianchi). Obviously, the bicycle was not completed and shipped until after September 02. Typically, a bicycle completed that late in the year would be a 1974 model.

The decal appears to reference the '74 World Championships as well?

The decal appears to reference the '74 World Championships as well?

the decal is for year long reign of the Champion and bike. the chanpionship was won in Sept therefore Bianchi reigns as champ from Sept 2 '73 until the world championship race in '74

the decal is for year long reign of the Champion and bike. the chanpionship was won in Sept therefore Bianchi reigns as champ from Sept 2 '73 until the world championship race in '74

Thought that might be it - thanks.