Help with ID, Possibly repainted? Bianchi?
08-08-17, 01:26 PM
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Help with ID, Possibly repainted? Bianchi?
Hi guys, I'm hoping that some of you experts out there can identify my dads old road bike. It doesn't seem to have any frame identification other than the serial number which is DR27262.
From what I can tell it has a full shimano 600 groupset, Winpista Japan bars, Selle Italia sport suede saddle, suzue hubs, and ARAYA rims.
There are some scratches and chips on the bike, and in some areas I can see what looks like an older layer of light blue paint. This in combination with the missing head tube badge and no decals makes me wonder if the frame was repainted and someone forgot to put the badge back on...
Please take a look at the pictures, hopefully they show all the important features. Let me know if any other pictures would help.
From what I can tell it has a full shimano 600 groupset, Winpista Japan bars, Selle Italia sport suede saddle, suzue hubs, and ARAYA rims.
There are some scratches and chips on the bike, and in some areas I can see what looks like an older layer of light blue paint. This in combination with the missing head tube badge and no decals makes me wonder if the frame was repainted and someone forgot to put the badge back on...
Please take a look at the pictures, hopefully they show all the important features. Let me know if any other pictures would help.
08-08-17, 01:29 PM
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08-08-17, 01:41 PM
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Don't think it's Bianchi or even Italian but check the BB unit for threading: if it's 1.27" x 24tpi then it's ISO and most likely Japanese despite the "Celeste" like color.
Looks like MOST of the components may even be OEM and perhaps @T-Mar can tell more from the serial number on the BB shell....seems like a pretty nice rider in very well-kept condition!
Looks like MOST of the components may even be OEM and perhaps @T-Mar can tell more from the serial number on the BB shell....seems like a pretty nice rider in very well-kept condition!
08-08-17, 02:20 PM
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Don't think it's Bianchi or even Italian but check the BB unit for threading: if it's 1.27" x 24tpi then it's ISO and most likely Japanese despite the "Celeste" like color.
Looks like MOST of the components may even be OEM and perhaps @T-Mar can tell more from the serial number on the BB shell....seems like a pretty nice rider in very well-kept condition!
Looks like MOST of the components may even be OEM and perhaps @T-Mar can tell more from the serial number on the BB shell....seems like a pretty nice rider in very well-kept condition!
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
08-17-17, 09:11 AM
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I agree that the only characteristic in common with a Bianchi is the colour. The S/N format certainly isn't that of Bianchi's prime Japanese source. The format itself is consistent with that seen on a few Japanese brands, notably Lotus, Maruishi and Zebrakenko.
The Shimano 600EX rear derailleurs and bakes, if OEM, suggest 1978-1983. The crankest is a later New 600EX model and probably replacing a lower level model, based on the steel headset, Suzue hubs, etc.
The frame itself suggests early 1980s based on brazed-on shift bosses, top tube cable tunnels and gear cables running over the BB shell. Curiously, it does not have bottle bosses. The 27" wheels in conjunction with the CrMo tubeset and dropouts with eyelets, suggest a sport touring model. The frame and components, viewed as a package, suggests lower mid-range.
The general impression is similar to that of a very early 1980s Lotus Excelle or Maruishi Road Ace 606, though I can't say I've seen either with this exact combination of frame characteristics. Lotus typically did not use a generic generic frame decal. Maruishi did have a generic decal, but I can't recall seeing one exactly like this. Of course that assume these are OEM and not replacements. The chips and underlying colour do suggest a possible repaint.
The bicycle may be an another brand manufactured by Tsunoda (lotus) or Maruishi. My overall impression is a lower mid-range, sports touring model from the very early 1980s models. Component date codes may help to narrow things down. Also, the fork could be removed to check for a manufacturer and date code stamps.
The Shimano 600EX rear derailleurs and bakes, if OEM, suggest 1978-1983. The crankest is a later New 600EX model and probably replacing a lower level model, based on the steel headset, Suzue hubs, etc.
The frame itself suggests early 1980s based on brazed-on shift bosses, top tube cable tunnels and gear cables running over the BB shell. Curiously, it does not have bottle bosses. The 27" wheels in conjunction with the CrMo tubeset and dropouts with eyelets, suggest a sport touring model. The frame and components, viewed as a package, suggests lower mid-range.
The general impression is similar to that of a very early 1980s Lotus Excelle or Maruishi Road Ace 606, though I can't say I've seen either with this exact combination of frame characteristics. Lotus typically did not use a generic generic frame decal. Maruishi did have a generic decal, but I can't recall seeing one exactly like this. Of course that assume these are OEM and not replacements. The chips and underlying colour do suggest a possible repaint.
The bicycle may be an another brand manufactured by Tsunoda (lotus) or Maruishi. My overall impression is a lower mid-range, sports touring model from the very early 1980s models. Component date codes may help to narrow things down. Also, the fork could be removed to check for a manufacturer and date code stamps.
08-19-17, 01:09 PM
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The tubing label has 'Original Sports Frame Cr.Mo.'.
I have seen three brand names of bicycles with tubing labels with these words. None of the other labels look exactly like the label on your bicycle. The brand names are Lotus, Maruishi, and Nashbar. There are probably other brand names with this type of tubing label.
The Lotus bicycles with these words on the tubing label were mountain bikes. I have not seen Lotus road bikes with this type of tubing label, but they may exist.
The serial number stamping on your bicycle is consistent with the serial number stamping of the Maruishi and Nashbar frames that have the similar tubing label.
The fork crown with your frame is similar to the Nashbar fork crowns.
I have not seen a Maruishi with this style of fork crown and a similar tubing decal, but they may exist.
I have seen three brand names of bicycles with tubing labels with these words. None of the other labels look exactly like the label on your bicycle. The brand names are Lotus, Maruishi, and Nashbar. There are probably other brand names with this type of tubing label.
The Lotus bicycles with these words on the tubing label were mountain bikes. I have not seen Lotus road bikes with this type of tubing label, but they may exist.
The serial number stamping on your bicycle is consistent with the serial number stamping of the Maruishi and Nashbar frames that have the similar tubing label.
The fork crown with your frame is similar to the Nashbar fork crowns.
I have not seen a Maruishi with this style of fork crown and a similar tubing decal, but they may exist.
Last edited by Hummer; 08-19-17 at 01:14 PM. Reason: clarification
10-22-17, 05:38 PM
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@gabe3366,
I found your bicycle.
Brandname: Leader; Model: Precision; frame manufacturer: Maruishi of Japan.
In Canada, I think that Leader was a brandname of Victoria-Precision Inc. of Montreal, Quebec, but I am not entirely sure. Victoria Precision manufactured bicycle frames and other steel goods. Most of their manufactured frames were aimed at mass marketers. It appears that they imported some higher end frames.
The head badge would have been a large 3-D type, almost a triangle, with the letter "L" and "Leader" on the base. The word "EXCELENCE" down the inside of the seat tube.
The colour and decals are correct.
I don't have any links to pictures.
I found your bicycle.
Brandname: Leader; Model: Precision; frame manufacturer: Maruishi of Japan.
In Canada, I think that Leader was a brandname of Victoria-Precision Inc. of Montreal, Quebec, but I am not entirely sure. Victoria Precision manufactured bicycle frames and other steel goods. Most of their manufactured frames were aimed at mass marketers. It appears that they imported some higher end frames.
The head badge would have been a large 3-D type, almost a triangle, with the letter "L" and "Leader" on the base. The word "EXCELENCE" down the inside of the seat tube.
The colour and decals are correct.
I don't have any links to pictures.
Last edited by Hummer; 10-22-17 at 05:44 PM. Reason: additional info
10-22-17, 10:42 PM
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@MauriceMoss, that is it! Nice picture.
Is that bicycle from Los Angeles? If it is then it blows my theory about the Leader brand name in Canada.
Is that bicycle from Los Angeles? If it is then it blows my theory about the Leader brand name in Canada.
10-23-17, 06:46 AM
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As stated by Hummer, Leader was a Victoria Precision brand name. They started using the name on tricycles and sidewalk bicycles in the the late 1940s. According to a magazine article, the adult line was launched in 1982, importing complete bicycles from Japan. Canadian assembly operations commenced the next year, with Canadian frame manufacture commencing at a later, unspecified date. Victoria Precision marketed product in the USA in the 1980s, though not to the same extent as in Canada.
10-23-17, 01:46 PM
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@MauriceMoss, that is it! Nice picture.
Is that bicycle from Los Angeles? If it is then it blows my theory about the Leader brand name in Canada.
Is that bicycle from Los Angeles? If it is then it blows my theory about the Leader brand name in Canada.
I think that particular one is (or was) in Kelowna, via Quebec City:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...xcellence.html
I had seen that post a while back but hadn't made the connection with the OP's bike until you pointed it out.
I haven't seen any of these on local Southern California CL or similar sites (at least so far).
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