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Old 02-07-13 | 12:01 PM
  #483  
T-Mar
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Yes, at one time Bianchi did offer a Campione del Mondo model, but it was a high end racing model. Unfortunately, following a world championship victory they typically applied celebratory decals to all models, usually for several years. This, combined with the their mysterious ability to shed model designation decals, leads many owners to announce that they own a Campione del Mondo, when it's actually a lesser model.

Felice Gimondi won the world championship road race for Bianchi in 1973 so the celebratory decal for that victory appeared for most of the remainder of that decade. A similar decal appeared on late 1980s Bianchi after Moreno Argentin won the 1986 world championship road race.

The bicycle in the link is almost certainly erroneously named on the basis of one of these celebratory decals. That, taken in conjunction with the decal style, would place it mid to late 1970s. It does indeed appear to be a touring model as claimed. While it does have a kickstand mounting plate, it does not appear to have the plate style rear brake bridge, though I can't say with absolute certainty. There is a front derailleur but you cannot tell how the cable is routed. There could be a cable routing clamp hidden behind the crankset.

So far, it's inconclusive. However, there are two features which distinguish it from your frame. First, there is a bracket brazed onto the left seat stay, presumibly for the generator. You can see it, about 5-7cms below the rim, though it's in the shadows. Second, it has parallel head and seat tube angles, typical for a touring bicycle of the era.

Last edited by T-Mar; 02-07-13 at 12:05 PM.
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