banquo372

hey guys so i just bought this bianchi bike off craigslist today after looking up some stuff similar to other bianchi bikes. it seems to me that this is a 1980s bianchi that was made in japan because it says piaggio (just going with what i learned off forums online so i may be wrong). but could you guys tell me what this specific bike should be worth?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/88683293@N05/

there should be 8 photos in there. let me know if there are any problems! thank you!

Bianchigirll 

Hello Banquo372 Welcome to the forums. It looks like an '83 / 84ish machine, judging by the decal style and the under the BB cable routing. It is a Orient built bike but Piaggio decal has nothing to do whith where the bike comes from. Bianchi was (is?) owned by Piaggio Group and for a short time in the '80s they bore Piaggio decals.

Looks like maybe a Special or Classica model, T-Mar may know for sure. It does look like the seatpost is backwards and it could use a good tuneup.

banquo372

hey bianchigirll thanks for the response! i also found it it has shimano toruney deraillers and the shifters are z401. i could also post the serial number when i go home if that helps narrow it down. also how much would you say its worth and is it a decent bike? not trash?

T-Mar

The rear derailleur appears to be a Shiamano Z503-GS which, in conjunction if the Piaggio sticker, should limit it to being a 1984 model, unless it's a replacement. The serial number will tell us for sure. I'm not sure of the exact model but it's entry level, below a Classica.

banquo372

thanks for your response t-mar! okay so here is the serial number: 42C350.

T-Mar

Sorry, I've never seen that serial number format on a Bianchi and I've collected literally hundreds of samples. It's definitely not the standard Japanese or Italian format for the era. However, all things taken into consideration, it's almost certainly from Japan. I can't make a definitive statement based on a sample of one but based on my previous serial number studies, my educated guess would be a 1984 model manufactured in early October of 1983. It would be interesting to know what the two letter date codes are on the back of the derailleurs and cranks, just to see if I'm in the ballpark or out to lunch.

banquo372

hmm that is really strange. it definitely is from japan because some of the parts say japan on it but its weird that my serial number is abnormal. well i took pictures of the serial number and back of the crank for you and i tried to get one of the back of the derailleurs but i couldnt figure out a way to get to it. anyways i hope you could help me figure it out!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/88683293@N05/

wrk101

While I also believe it is from Japan, that has nothing to do with the parts. I have Italian, Taiwan, English, French, Dutch, and USA bikes all with Japanese parts. Japan was a major source of parts and components, that manufacturers from all over the world bought from.

As far as what it is worth, I sold one just like it for $50. If I would have taken the time to fully refurbish it, I probably could have gotten $125, maybe $150 max for it. Entry level from that period, back when entry level was pretty basic: claw RD hanger, steel crank, stem shifters, turkey levers, steel seat post, etc.

FastJake

+1

It's low end, Bianchi name is about all it has going for it. As-is, I would put it at $50. I hope you didn't pay a whole lot more than that.

banquo372

oh man you guys are gonna make me cry haha just kidding. i paid 150 for it. im a beginner to bikes so i know nothing about value and stuff but just wanted a vintage style road bike to commute to school. i rode a schwinn world sport once and it wasnt amazing but i loved how it rode and looked so i just wanted something similar to that. so you guys think it will at least hold up a while if i take good care of it and maybe upgrade? or should i try to resell it and find a different one?

wrk101

Yes, it will hold up fine. You will need to do the work on it yourself, or you will be better off reselling it and buying a better bike. Not suitable for upgrades, as it has a heavy, lower end frame, with a fair amount of paint damage.

Before buying anything, I would spend some time getting knowledgeable. Get knowledge, get lucky, or get taken.

T-Mar

As stated by the other froum memebrs the nationality of the components do not necessarily correspond to that of the frame manufacturer.

As for the serial number, the space after the four puts a slightly different spin on it. However, I'm not sure if it is a space. It almost looks like there is a ghost image of another character, which would further complicate the issue. Regardless, I'm still leaning towards it being a 1984, though I can't make a definitive statement.