vincejohnston

Hello, I need some help identifying the age of my first ever road bike. It is a Red Japaneese Bianchi serial number GS352813. On the downtube is a Piaggio sticker. It has Dia Compe breaks and Suntour AXR shifting system. The crank, stem and handlebars are SR Sarke. The wheels are 700cm Araya laced to suzue 3dlf hubs. The main reason I bought it was the sticker stating 022 ishiwata cro mo. I was really looking for a steelie. I've already replaced the tires tubes and bar wrap. Next will be the break pads, unless someone tells me I should swap out the whole system or something. Any help you can give is REALLY appreciated! Thanks.

skyrider

sounds like a nice bike. Pics will be a big help.

T-Mar

Piaggio stickers in conjunction with an ARX should put it between 1981 and 1984. To narrow things down, you can date the ARX using the date code information on the components page of the Vintage-Trek website. The SR cranks,stem and handlebars will also have date codes that you use to verify whether the ARX is a replacement. Model year of bicycle is usually the same or a year newer than the parts.

vincejohnston

Thanks for the help, I'll try to find the dates tonight. I think it's great that I may very well own a bike older than me! Are the ARX good componets, or should I be looking to upgrade in the near future? Also, how do I know the model name? I've been looking for "special", as it's what is on the top tube, but haven't come up with much at all? Finally, did I do good for $22 at a Thrift store?

vincejohnston

I've chaecked all the components, and it looks like they were all made in June 1983, so I'm probably looking at a 1984 model. Now if I could just figure out the model name...Thanks everyone!