aquaman66

Been scouring off the rust and trying to find out what make, model , year and the NAME of this old beauty. Has a fair bit of the celeste blue paint chipped off or rusted , naturally right where the bloody name should be. ;-(

Will attempt to upload pix, but jic...the serial # on the very bottom etched in the frame below the pedals is 61125682 ( which has lead me nowheres)

has a 18 speeds , touring bike style handle bars , mens 19.5 inch (49.53 cm frame ) 24"(61 cm) wheels with extra wide tires. Plastic front & back fenders, a rear rack, a fuji saddle ( probably none original) and a gold coloured handle bar post.

Saw it on a pile of curbside trash in downtown Toronto, only thing wring were two flat tires ( pumped up and stayed , and a very loose handle bar...which leads me to believe it was not stolen just tossed out for the trashman.

Would love to restore it, has that beautiful celeste blue, but most of the decals are gone and name is nowhere to be found. Mechanically rides great, the fuji saddle needs to go, i picture the original was some Italian leaqther work of art as well?

can anyone help?

thanks

aquaman66

Already fopund some anmswers on this AWESOME site, saw the word "Colorado" and one small remaining bit oif post decal... thanks to you good folks, i know her name( calling her "Celeste Holme" ) , The Campione del Mundo 1986-1987 decal celebrates Bianchi at the 1986 World's Championships in Colorado Springs. Seems that decal was used for a few years afterwards, and looks like the touring bike handle bars may be a later addition, but still a great bike.

But any extra info would be awesome! Is there a place to buy the decals ( or are they stenciled on the frame)? I know the paint colour is called "celeste" is it easy to find in paint shops? would love to cover up some of her battle scars.

SkyDog75

I think you found a Bianchi Grizzly mountain bike. Nice! The bars, like a lot of other stuff you noticed, aren't original.

One source for Celeste touch-up paint is the online store on the Bianchi USA web site: Home | Bianchi USA .

aquaman66

Thanks Skydog75, I am going to give it a good cleaning this weekend and see what lies underneath all that battlescarred exterior. Did find the serial # 61125682 on the bottom side of the crank, which would make iot around 1985 or later. The frame has "Bianchi" carved into the rear struts and a few other places, but looks like everything else ( pedals crank, handlebars, saddle brakes are later addition. Nice additions , aluminum crank , brakes, axiom rear rack and some fenders that say "Germany" stamped in their metal but thats all i have found on it so far...

Sorry the pix suck, will get better ones up as soon as I can. Been reading up on here, this site is a great resource !

mongol777

Lucky guy! I've been looking for one for a long time but something was always off (high price, too beat up or wrong size).
I got some nice bikes these way in TO but it's been a long time since it was something decent.

mongol777

Just saw your ad on CL - if you it does not move I will take it (check your PM)
Mint condition can fetch 200-300 in Toronto, may be even more. If you have patience and skills and can take parts off without damaging - you can get more then I am offering. I am just being realistic on what it will cost me to get it build up as I want.

aquaman66

Thanks mongol777 she's no where near mint looks wise , but I was able to remove a lot of the surface rust surprisingly, and all the unpainted metal parts must be aluminium or similar , no a spot of rust on those.

Took her out for a ride yesterday and even after at the neglect it still rides better than my one year old Canadian Tire CCM Mt. Bike ! So my dreams of retiring from the proceeds of the sale may have died I think I will use her for my daily commutes and see if she's a keeper.

Here are some better pix, had zero luck with tracking the serial # for the model or year ( by the threads on here the person who can crack the "Bianchi Code" should win a Nobel Prize when it happens Lol)(

Just off for a ride now to find a decent seat for her at some of the local bike shops, luckily the post came right out, but the fuji seat has holes and it was like riding on a wet sponge yesterday when i realized that the foam was completely drenched from being out in the elements for so long.

Thanks again for everyones help and advice, and if anyone does have a clue feel free to let us know!

Cheers
Steve

mongol777

Nice, glad you like it! Post some better pics after she is all cleaned up. I would totally keep it if I were you.