robbied196

I've just picked up this Bianchi and although its fairly entry level for Bianchi I wondered if anyone would know what model it could be?

Looks to be mid 80s? It has the Tubi Calibrati 1-20 decal, which I assume is italian for gas pipe Although I have heard it said that Bianchi gas pipe is very good. Gipiemme dropouts with wheel adjusters. Chrome forks and chainstay although the whole frame has been chromed and then painted. Weinmann callipers (I'll look for a date on these tonight) Ofmega chainset and Shimano Z Series levers and derailleurs.

It needs the usual 'deep cleanse', bar tape and cables. I'll post some more pics when its buffed and polished

Gary Fountain

I've never seen a Bianchi like yours before. It does look 'gaspipe' but it is the nicest 'gaspipe' I have seen.

T-Mar

The Z-series components and frame traits should place this mid-eighties. The curious thing is the Italian manufacture. During this period most entry level Bianchi models, at least the ones we saw in North America, had been moved offshore to Asia. Based on the seat tube decal and serial number stamped on the head tube, it would appear to be have been subcontracted to another Italian company. Transportation costs may have made it more economical to keep manufacturing of the entry models for the European market in Italy, but that is only speculation on my part. Regardless, Bianchi often exhibit variations in models and names between markets. Being situated in North America, I'm not familiar with the European models. Hopefully, Bianchigirll or a UK member can provide additional information.

Bianchigirll 

Sorry I can't help much on UK machines, but the color and decal style make think it is a '86/7ish bike. Do we have any idea what Tubi Calibrati 1-20 really means? Is it HiTen or cheaper ChroMo?

if the frame is all under chrome that would lead me to believe the frame atleast is a higher level model like an Alloro or Nuovo something or other. then at some point in the bikes life it got these lowerend parts for some reason or other. What we need are some UK/Euro catalogs.

robbied196

Thanks for the comments

I'll do some more investigating when I get home tonight. I only picked it up last night and took the photo's so not really had chance to give it the once over. I've had a search for Tubi Calibrati 1-20 and although there's plenty of links there's nothing to really say what it is. I'll post the frame number, although they don't appear to be much help. I'm pretty sure its all original, the guy I bought it from said it used to be his son's bike but it had not been used very much.

T-Mar

This decal was also seen on the 1970s entry level models. As such, it is almost certainly hi-tensile steel. It also appears to be a feeble attempt to disguise a ANSI 1020 designation, which is a high tensile steel. However, as of yet, nobody has responded to requests for a seat post diameter measurement, which would put the matter to rest. Perhaps the OP will oblige me with this information.

robbied196

I've started stripping it down for a good cleaning tonight. The calipers are Weinmann 500's dated 1985. The frame number is 766502, from what I've read the frame numbers seem to mean very little!

T-Mar I've checked the seat post diameter with a pair of calipers and the post is 26.2mm, be interesting to know what that means?

Also I've checked the frame over and the odd scratches that are through the paint reveal chrome underneath. I would say the whole frame has been fully chromed, not something I would want to pay for these days!!

noglider 

robbied196, we Americans may not be able to help, since this may be a European- or UK-market model. There are equivalent fora (plural of forum) closer to you. I'm on one, though I can't remember its name.

I think I may have caught the Bianchi fever recently. My mid-90's Volpe makes me happy beyond expectations.

Chombi

"Tubi Calibrati 1-20??...Maybe they left off the "0" after the "1"...as in "1020" high tensile steel??.....
The components seem to support this, but then.......I'm surprised to see nice forged, adjustable dropouts on such a frame. They usually are stamped steel on most bikes with Hi-Ten tubing....

Chombi

T-Mar

Actually, we have a pretty good handle on the Bianchi serial numbers, included those from Japan and taiwan. The only ones that really cause problems are the Reparto Corse. However, based on the serial number and decals, yours was subcontracted within Italy, something I've never seen before.

As for the tubing, 26.2mm is not a large post. Assuming a typical 0.2mm clearance fit would put the tubing wall thickness at 1.1mm. Given the era, that's still within the range of a lightweight (i.e. thin wall) high carbon steel, so I's classify Calibrati 1-20 as high tensile. This would be typical for a mid-1980s upper entry level model. If it were a chromium-molybdenum steel or even carbon-manganese, I can't imagine the marketers passing up the opportunity to advertise the fact.

Edit: While the first number of the S/N could represent 1987 and it falls within Bianchigirll's range, I don't think it's that new. All the 1987 Bianchi I've seen have borne the commemorative 1986-1987 Campione del Mondo decal.

robbied196

I'm on RetroBike as well and have the same info posted, not a great response as yet

Thanks for a great bit of information. When you say it was subcontracted within Italy do you mean other companies were building frames for Bianchi? It makes sense that it would be upper entry level, even on a commercial scale I would imagine chroming a frame would be a significant cost to add to the build. I've been searching for a European mid 80's Bianchi catalogue but not found much. Although, there is a copy of a catalogue to buy which lists 19 different models being sold into Europe in the mid 80's. Nothing like having a wide range!

Anyway, I've started the clean up

T-Mar

Yes, that's exactly what I mean. The serial number is neither the correct location or foramt for a Bianchi manufactured frame, yet it has a Made in Italy decal.

As for the full chroming, it does seem superfluous on an upper entry level model, where most of it is hidden. The practice is reminescent of Italian entry level models in the early 1970s. But in those cases they left more chrome exposed, typically the lower half of the seat stays and the head lugs.