Hey T-Mar thank you for your input! I removed the front forks, they are Ishiwata stamped with 1 . I Taking wild guesses this could mean January 1980 or September 1981. Once again the front and rear dropouts are Suntour GT I looked these over carefully, they have not been modified the forgings show no indication of ever having eyelets for fenders/racks. I put on my very strong glasses stood out in the sun and looked over the frame and forks especially the lugs, they are plain no markings of any sort there are no markings anywhere other than the serial number. The only unusual aspect of the lugs is the front of the head having "points". I saw this same type of lugging on the "later" Univega's one of the reasons I thought the frame was Univega. It does seem like a Miyata built frame but whose would it be? Thank you again for sharing your knowledge!

The forks are September 1981, so all the dates align well. Ishiwata tubing is another indicator that it's not Miyata, as Miyata used Tange as their tube supplier prior to producing their own tubesets. However, the Japanese manufacturer for Bianchi used Ishiwata. We don't know who the actual manufacturer was but given the serial number format and Ishiwata tubing, they are the best candidate. It may not be a Bianchi but some other brand manufactured by the same company.

I'll look through what information I can find on Bianci and other brands. Maybe I'll get lucky! One last note on the bike. I completely disassembled the frame. The 62cm frame/fork weight is 5.32/1.87 pounds or 2415/850 grams. The frame has no dings or dents looks to be of decent workmanship ( to my untrained eye ) but certainly needs repaint and upgraded components. Would you spent time and money rebuilding this bike?

T-Mar, a postscript...You were right on with it being a Bianchi. Searching for Bianchi/Ishiwata I found a 1982 Bianchi frame/fork combo nearly identical to mine. Then found the 1982 Bianchi catalog. My frame/fork is a 1982 Bianchi Special. The components and color listed in the catalog are identical to what was on the bike before disassembly. Cheers and thank you for your insight and knowledge!

Univega Gran Sprint
 

Speaking of the Gran Sprint, I absolutely love mine. Bought it about 16 years ago and despite having a much newer Cannondale I just keep riding it about twice as much. It's a "mad scientist" mix of old and new school. My buddy gave me his Sora Sti shifters, Tiagra rear derailer and newer Mavic wheels when he upgraded. It still has the downtube shifter for the front suntour derailer and the signature crank. Its about 3cm too big for me so I added a shorter/adjustable stem. Despite weighing about 26.5 lbs it is a joy to ride, especially downhill . Love the thread guys and happy to keep it going.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=520573

Just wanted to throw this out there...I have a 64 cm Nuovo Sport frame and fork if anyone is looking for one. It's red. I can send pics if interested. I would really like to trade for a 60 61 or 61cm frame Univega.

1981 Super Strada, full Dura-Ace with the exception of the stem.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...psb3uk23cv.jpg

It talks, but only knows two words: Go Faster. Doesn't appear to listen when I explain that its racing days are over. Just keeps telling me the same thing over and over again.
Tubing is Champion 2 I think. Just says Champion, but in green not red.

That's sharp, I love that color.

Gran Sprint
 

I second that. Love the white on blue. Very Italian!

Here she is! Sram Force 22. 53/39 chainrings, but may switch to a 1x in the future. 11-28 cassette. Had to use Ultegra 6800 brakeset for now, until I get the cash to order up some Paul Racers. Ritchey WCS stem, Zipp SL-88 bar, Thomson seatpost, and no name saddle as a placeholder. Will be adding older Dura Ace pedals with toe cages and Avocet straps for commuting in dress shoes. Wheels are from Oval Concepts. Not the lightest, but nice and wide.


Found some great red cloth tape today at an LBS, and added some matching red cable crimps.


Probably more tweaks to come, but a great, fast commuter for now!


http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/...psmvetpr5x.jpg

What adapter did you use for the stem?

I honestly don't know. Got it a while back, and it's unbranded. I'm going to start throwing some of my other adapters on the lathe and turning them down for a better fit.

Great thread. It's made me start seeking Univegas. Here's one I found: Alpina Uno Univega ...

What do you guys think? At 150 is this a good deal? How about 100?

It looks a lot like this one here, which is said to be an 84. Although the Craigslist images leave something to be desired, I can match a lot of the components between it and the one in the following link. Budget Bicycle Center - 1984 Univega Alpina Uno Mountain Bicycle 18"

Picked up this beautiful metallic rose Gran Rally (86?) off CL for my girlfriend. She had mentioned wanting one after I mentioned that they existed in all their pink glory so I set up an IFTTT. Pairs well with my light blue Gran Sprint or even my bluewithahintofgreen 83 Gran Turismo. Seems to have spent the last 30 years in a garage and needs very little TLC. A couple of questions: Should I toss out the old grease caked chain or clean it? What kind of brake pads work well with non-machined hard-ano rims like these? I was thinking maybe some Kool Stop salmons?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...n/IMG_2282.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...n/IMG_2283.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...n/IMG_2285.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...n/IMG_2284.jpg

It should be either a 1986 or a 1987. Fortunately, it appears to be a Miyata manufactured model and by this time Miyata had incorporated a fortnight indicator into their serial number format, making it much easier to tie down the build date and distinguish between model years.

The serial starts with "N" which is Miyata's '85 code so must be from late that year. Cleaned it up and took it on it's maiden voyage yesterday- me on my blue Gran Sprint and her on the Rally. The day before I rode a century on the Gran Turismo and for a brief and beautiful moment they were all together in the entryway. Long live Univega!

https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8660/2...a9f0dd28_c.jpgIMG_2305 by brettrobison, on Flickr

a very Gran foyer:

https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8510/2...78083e95_c.jpgIMG_2307 by brettrobison, on Flickr

https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8804/2...43d50be0_c.jpgIMG_2308 by brettrobison, on Flickr

Love the collection numbernine. I just keep coming back to my Gran Sprint and it's amazing ride quality. Here's a post from a blog I started that is devoted to my Univega, life in the East Bay of SF, great beer, how steel compares to aluminum and my solidly intermediate skills as a mechanic and rider:



Switching from 23 to 25mm Tires

So my new (to me) tires ride incredibly smooth and grip incredibly well around corners. It really feels like riding on butter, minus the oily, greasiness in the nether regions…Yet, I will say this. On my 2,000+ foot descent (over the course of about 7 miles) of my local mountain it has also become slightly less exciting. I have to admit that while changing my tires I also sanded my 30 year old break pads with the fine side of a metal file (sandpaper should also work great) and now I suddenly have some actual stopping power. I realize now that I had been flying down the mountain on something akin to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. It was thrilling, maniacal and always right on the edge of control. Now I have stopping power, grip and smoothness. And while all of these are obviously great improvements I kind of miss that old death trap! Just as I was pondering how my ride has become slightly more…boring, a local ranger began frantically motioning for me to slow down as I rode past him. It was just the reminder I needed to realize “this is still a heck of a thrill and most people would be terrified of it.”



Check out the rest at: Univega Gran Sprint

Question for anyone who may know. I'm looking at an '84 Gran Premio and I'm wondering if the tubing is Champion #1 or 2? The catalog just says Champion. Not a big deal but I'm just curious.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/FEwAAO...FJ/s-l1600.jpg

I don't really know but I do remember these as I worked for Univega dealers for many years. Considering that model is a notch down from the Super Strada I'd venture that it is Champion #2.

Keep in mind that Champion #1 and #2 are actually exactly the same stuff, same quality. Only difference is the #1 is .1mm thinner. The #2 actually makes a stiffer frame.

Also, Univega would often use a heavier gauge downtube and chainstays. (Bianchi did this too) Therefore possibly #1 mostly and #2 on the DT and chainstays.

Yeah, my Centurion is Tange 2 which I think is the same thing and I love it. The '84 catalog lists the top 5 models as having "Champion Chromoly double butted tubing". The 3 models above the Gran Premio list chromoly direct seat stays, but it doesn't say chromoly for the GP.

But this bike is totally original, probably the original tires as well.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/WpgAAO...E4/s-l1600.jpg

@Lazyass: I think they color-coded the tubing decals before they went to the numbering, with red being #1 and green #2. Also worth noting that in '81 at least, the Superstrada also had #2.

Edit: On second glance, yours has red and green. hahahaha

My 1982 Gran Rally I picked up - needed a good cleaning, but still had the wheel reflectors and the original Univega branded front tire.

https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7481/2...011a2a26_h.jpg

The TT is short for me, so it's on the sell list.

@numbernine

Nice collection of univegas. Love the metallic rose color.

I think it's an '84

https://univegacatalogs.files.wordpr...ga-catalog.pdf