Simes

Hi all

All my research has drawn a blank. I think the Sugino cranks, Simplex gears and Modolo brakes are original. The saddle, bars, stem, brake levers and wheels were replaced by the previous owner. The 'Campione Del Mondo 1973 - 74' is, I think, a promotional decal put on more than one model from that era. I want to get it back to its original state as far as possible. Any help would be appreciated:

tronnyjenkins 

That poor Bianchi. Looks like it used to be Celeste and was sanded and maybe Krylon'd gold? Odd.
I can't be of much help, unfortunately, but I do see Gipiemme rear dropouts. My guess is a middle of the road racer. Do you have a scale? We can maybe guess the tubing based on weight? Haha.

Simes

Thanks for the reply. I am hoping it is a half decent racer and worth refurbishment. However it has no bottle cage bosses which is weird. Just in case something can be inferred: Frame weight is 2.245Kg and 56cm centre of BB to centre of TT. Celestes are green? I can see no evidence of a prior colour. It does look like the original paintwork but who knows...hopefully someone out there in Bike Forum land!

tronnyjenkins 

Hopefully!
I was thinking it may have been Celeste because I see some areas where there are greenish specs, but that could also be some sort of oxidation/patina. Bottom bracket underside almost looks to have been sanded. Again, too hard to tell!

That '7' could mean 1977.

nesteel 

I wonder if that bike was copper plated at some point in its life?

OldsCOOL

This is when a repaint makes sense.

zukahn1 

The lack of braze on's, cable guides, bottle cage and shifter's with nicer dropouts would indicate the frame is likely early 70's by the later 70's they started putting the braze on's on most of there frames. But with most of the original components and paint gone it will be a bit difficult to ID. This bike would have likely had a Tubular/Sew-up wheelset and a mix of Italian components Ofmega and Campy originally.

T-Mar

Best indicator to level of frame is the seat post diameter, which will tell us the grade of tubing. Also, check inside the bottom of the fork's steerer column for the five spiral ridges indicating a Columbus steerer column.

Circa 1974, a mid range Bianchi would have the sreial number stamped on the collar of the top head lug, but don't see one. Some Reparto Corse frames had it stamped on the seat lug but I don't see that level of workmanship.

There is some good value in those derailleurs but the only Simplex I've see on circa 1974 Bianchi are Prestige, on entry level models. Frankly, I think the entire bicycle has been rebuilt and none of the major components are OEM.

Simes

Seat post is bang on 27mm, no spiral ridges and other than the enigmatic '7' on the bottom bracket there are no serial numbers anywhere. I am now thinking that the best use of this bike is to turn it into a comfortable, non-original equipment, retro-esque racer for fast commuting and weekend road rides.

T-Mar

Well, a 27.0mm post would be what you would normally expect of a Columbus SP frame. Typically, given the frame size, I would have expected SL and a 27.2mm post, but it's possible that the tube was slightly distorted, they couldn't be bothered to ream it and just used a smaller post. Or maybe the post is slighter undersize for the tube. The lack of spiral ridges in the steerer tube would suggest a tre tubi frame (i.e. only the three main tubes use the higher grade tubing, while the stays and fork blades use a lesser grade tubing). This would typically be found on mid-range models and would also explain a lower grade dropout like Gipiemme.

The 1974 Bianchi catalogue shows two mid-range without bottle bosses. The Special uses extra light tubing and Campagnolo Gran Sport with Universal 68 brakes, but doesn't show dropout eyelets like yours. The Rekord 74 has a hi-tensile frame and the only spec'd components are Universal 51 brakes, though the derailleurs appear to be Valentino Extra and it does have dropout eyelets. Still, 27.0mm isn't a hi-tensile post size. FYI, none of the models specially mention Columbus tubesets.

tronnyjenkins 

Given T-Mar's valuable input, I think this is a good idea!
You could refinish, put the parts on that you want, maybe a honey Brooks and skin walls, and it's a slick ride!
Chain looks a little long too. Haha.

Simes

Thank you all. I am edified and now have a plan which may well include a Brooks, skinwalls and a shorter chain.

Simes

Thank you T-Mar. This is possibly the closest I'm going to get to its origins.