cog_nate 

TI Bianchi w/Campy drivetrain, dirtdrop-ish controls and Continental TourRide tires (28s!) that I put together for not-too-much. I have since adjusted the stem up a bit and added a Jandd saddlebag. Judging by the style of the stay ends, it was made by Litespeed.





Taking it for its first long ride today.

Also, I can't remember if I ever posted my Grizzly to this thread (ancient pic here):

DVC45

' did a 10mi ride after changing the bar tape. Lovely ride, but I have to admit, the non-aero brakes and downtube shifters are a bit annoying (I am just not used to these). I am planning on converting to aero-brakes and barend shifters.

Timo

hastel 

I found this in a pawnshop and it had been there long enough that they offered 33% off the $300 on the sticker. I know, I know, I didn't even get a u-lock for that lofty price, but I did get a Bianchi that fits me, has good tires and is in what I consider to be amazing shape for 28 years old. I am guessing this is an '86 Premio based on stickers and components. I was in the market for some Japanese tubing and at a rider weight of 200 lbs I appreciate the superset. I have ridden it every day since I got it, working the rebuilds around my rides.(Front and rear hubs in one afternoon including a trip to the LBS for cones and bearings.)
The history that unfolds as I dig into the bike is fascinating. It was really well maintained from the hubs up but had a rusted,grease clotted chain and rust on a couple of the sprocket teeth. The chain however was a SRAM PC830 so someone made an effort to take care of the shifting. After I pulled the chain I put my ear to the downtube and spun the cranks. "The bells are ringing"- New BB on the way. Thanks Bianchi Girl, for the diagnostics in another post which helped me to figure out the size.
I do have a question for the assembled experts and historians. Is that a women's saddle? It fits my ischial protuberances well enough, and I'm not hung up on the gender thing it's just one of the details of the bike that I haven't been able to rsearch. The Selle Italia site has saddles with that profile but they are women's saddles.
I'll post more pics after cleanup is further along.

ionikos

I have been looking for the last two weeks for an Italian steel classic, and Columbus SL or SLX. Living in the Amsterdam at the moment made it easier. Having a placed bids for a Colnago Super frame 78 set pulled the pin on that deal as it kept creeping up, a Colnago that had been made into a single speed painted in mat military green (a crime) and sawed off the shifter arms. I have always liked Bianchi and made last search on a Dutch classifieds i make a bid on this master piece.
Wake up an get on line searching just from the pics that i placed a bid on, looking for bike of around the late 80s that i could tell. Coming up with Bianchi x4 specialissima 1987, i made an offer of what the seller wanted 295 euros. There were other bids 80 then 90, 105. The night before i sent an email to the seller saying i can pay 295 and will pick it up on Sunday. Saturday i msg the guy as he had emailed me 295 is what he wants and its mine, that i will be there to pick up the bike at around 12:00.



I get up early as i had a 3 hour train ride to Doezum, Groningen. As i arrived in Groningen i call Fernando the seller and there was no answer, ok, its only 10:00. By the way before i left home i see the bidding is on 420 euros, i have this anxiety attack that i might loose this. I just wanted to see this bike after reading about and hoping Fernando wont change his mind after see the bidding just keep rising.
Well i grab a coffee and walk a bit around the area waiting to make another call, its now 11:00, I make the call, no answer. I call again, NO ANSWER. Anxiety attack. I now go to a coffee shop . Dutch coffee shop.......................
Now relaxed i msg Fernando saying i should be there as this place by 13:00, Doezum is 30km from Groningen and the buses to get there were every 2 hours. Well after the msg Fernando call and apologies for sleeping and not hearing the phone. Well it was Sunday.
I ask the bus driver in english as i do not know any Dutch as yet, to let me know when we are close to this address that i showed him. He said he will let me know when we are near, about 35min later the driver asked what number i was looking for and dropped me off at the front of the house. great hospitality.
Fernando opened the door and straight to the back of the house where she was waiting. He mentioned that there was quite a few interested parties, but i was the first to offer what he wanted. 295
Well Fernando was a rider that gave up wanting the good life. He is happy and was talking about the boys on the tours pro and am. I handed over 300 and he was a gentleman and gave me 5 change, and said this is for the bus trip.
Yeah, thank you Fernando.

aggst1

Yasou Ionikos, excellent Bianchi at a good price. Welcome to the club. Be careful from now on though, Bianchis as most C&V bikes are very addictive, once you start with one you want more...

ionikos

Euharisto, thanks. I think the bug kicked in, i have bidded for another.

callig

Nice X4! beautiful addition to the thread. Thanks for sharing.

dedndcrusr

Found this on the local CL last weekend right after it was posted. Longest 30 minute drive of my life! I just knew someone would beat me there. It was pretty dirty and the tires where rotten, but everything was straight and I didn't see any rust. After cleaning it up, it really turned out to be a clean find.

From what I've learned from Bianchigirl's previous posts, the decals place it somewhere in the late 80s. I'm really hoping she will offer some of her much appreciated knowledge about what model and years it is. Most of the online catalog scans are too blurry to read.

It has campagnolo everything, seatpost, headset, hubs etc. Columbus SLX frame, Columbus Laminati fork and Gipiemme dropouts. Mavic MA40 rims. The saddle in the picture is from another bike.
[URL=https://s907.photobucket.com/user/dedndcrusr/media/Bianchi%20-%20After%20Pics/20140707_171905.jpg.html][/URL[URL=https://s907.photobucket.com/user/dedndcrusr/media/Bianchi%20-%20After%20Pics/20140707_171939.jpg.html][/URL[URL=https://s907.photobucket.com/user/dedndcrusr/media/Bianchi%20-%20After%20Pics/20140707_171936.jpg.html][/URL[URL=https://s907.photobucket.com/user/dedndcrusr/media/Bianchi%20-%20After%20Pics/20140707_171144.jpg.html][/URL

Bianchigirll 

OMG!! I am so jealous!! That is beautiful. I don't know what it looked like before but that is very nice looking, great job.

That is an '89/90/91 Superleggera with a mostly original Chorus group with those beautiful low profile cranks and lovely arching Monoplanor brakes. Someone upgraded the Ergo lever and RD. I can't seem them but I assume the hubs are both newer too with a cassette on the rear?

That is a full SLX/SPX mix throughout (maybe even a little more SPX on this one) frame and fork. I had the '88 which was similar except for a SL/SP frame. Nice find I hope you enjoy her.

Bianchigirll 

I don't know how I missed this, great looking Bianchi. How did you like the ride?

dedndcrusr

Thank you so much! I kind of feel like my bike has been blessed my the pope now.

This is my first celeste Bianchi so I'm still pretty giddy. Picked it up for what most mid to lower-level bikes from the late 80s are going for in my area. Even got a sweet purple water bottle.

The ergo levers were definitely tripping me up in my search for information. Here are some "before" pics and some shots of the hubs.


[URL=https://s907.photobucket.com/user/dedndcrusr/media/Bianchi%20-%20Before%20Pics/20140705_151658.jpg.html][/URL[URL=https://s907.photobucket.com/user/dedndcrusr/media/Bianchi%20-%20Before%20Pics/20140705_151528.jpg.html][/URL[URL=https://s907.photobucket.com/user/dedndcrusr/media/Bianchi%20-%20Before%20Pics/20140705_151459.jpg.html][/URL[URL=https://s907.photobucket.com/user/dedndcrusr/media/Bianchi%20-%20Before%20Pics/20140705_151736.jpg.html][/URL[URL=https://s907.photobucket.com/user/dedndcrusr/media/Bianchi%20-%20After%20Pics/20140707_172009.jpg.html][/URL[URL=https://s907.photobucket.com/user/dedndcrusr/media/Bianchi%20-%20After%20Pics/20140708_135211.jpg.html][/URL

Bianchigirll 

The person that owned should be flogged!!!


I can see where the Ergos would do that, between them coming out '92ish and CampI not really having names on their components until much later. You did a really good job on that.

BlueDevil63 

I've posted pictures of this before but I just finished lacing up some period correct Nisi tubular rims to the original no-Record Campy hubs so this is the first picture with its original hubs and correct rims. !964 Bianchi Specialissima.

Bianchigirll 

Bella Bella!! Period tires? better get to Yellow Jersey

Pogliaghi

1961 Specialissima

Bianchigirll 

Beautiful

BlueDevil63 

Yes the tires are toast. The new Yellow Jersey tires arrived yesterday.

Pogliaghi

[QUOTE=Bianchigirll;16922048]Beautiful

Thank you Bianchigirll.

WNG

+1 a really pretty vintage Bianchi, Mike! It's always a treat to see an older one that isn't Celeste. Lovely chromed lugs.

Bellet

Did you pick that up in Edmond? I snagged a Masi Gran Corsa from an older couple up there (selling the bike for a friend). Lady said she first sold a Bianchi.

escii_35

Stealing my style mixing black and silver spokes on the same bike. Bonus points for the utilitarian freewheel.

I feel your pain. My bianchi took a major step back when my latest wheel arrived. The hub was painted silver not polished and mavic had changed the color pattern of the decals on its cxp rims. Sigh.

dedndcrusr

No, it was in Norman.

Texas Pista

Same Bianchi in the photos from when I bought it 2 years ago till the present.

2000Para853red

Bianchi Cyclocross Single Speed Race bike with disc brakes.....they only made this model one year...it was fun to race on....riding it tonight with with flat pedals and slick tires. Trample City Ride.....rain or shine !