Hi everyone!

I'm currently working on overhauling my 1988 Bianchi Trofeo that I've had for almost 2 years and am looking for some advice. I was looking up a bunch of info that mostly led me here, then I remembered I made an account here a while back!

Most importantly, does anyone know if the bottom bracket is Italian or English threaded? I just finished pulling the crankset (and ruining one of those Ofmega dust caps...) and never really noticed how bad the condition of the bottom bracket was until now. I won't remove it until the penetrating oil ships over, but I expect I'd be better off ordering a replacement rather than repacking my current one.

Next on the agenda is bar tape and cable housing. I had a nasty biking accident a few months ago that I just recovered from (don't worry, my entire left side of my body took most of the damage), so the original bar tape is all scraped up. housing is original too, and parts of it have been permanently stained with rust. Any color recommendations? I'll probably go black since it's been impossible for me to find a matching celeste.

Also, I've made an embarrassing mess out of its componentry. Can I get some opinions on what I should switch out? Here's all the unoriginal parts currently on it:

ShimanoTiagra Left shifter
Shimano ST2303 Right shifter (8sp)
Eclypse stem/bar
Shimano 600 6400 RD
Selle Italia/Cevelo-branded saddle
Forte Titan Front (painted some spokes with the closest I could get to the frame's celeste!)
Forte Apollo Rear

I was thinking upgrading it to 9 speeds and getting a matching 9sp Tiagra shifter, but I'm still trying to justify the $95 expense. Please note that it's very possible I'll be racing on this thing (think low income college student) haha.

Thanks!