Originally Posted by
T-Mar
Unfortunately, somebody forgot to stamp the year indicator on that seat lug. It should be next to the "A". The crankset is from 1981 but given the high probablity that it was built from a frame, the crankset could have been older stock.
Had it been 1981, I would definitely have expected a Portacatena dropout. They werevclearly in use in the 1981 catalogue on the high end models. Does it have one or two sets of bottle bosses? A pump peg? Pending further evidence, I sticking with circa 1983-1984, based on the non-Portacatena dropout and investment cast seat lug.
While looking for the pump peg I found a light stamping that says Columbus for Bianchi. I sharpened up the picture so you can see it a little better.
I am sure there is only one set of bottle bosses and no pump peg.
So far my guess is as you said it was a built-up from a frame and parts the shop had. And the the shop put a decal on that said "INBICI", a shop in Voghera, exclusive. But what I am really curious about now is the color paint. After cleaning it a bit I found it has a bit of a metallic shine to it. None of the celeste color bikes from the mid and early 80s had that. It is also not white, but a champagne or very light greenish yellow depending on the lighting. I doubt it was repainted, so it must have been a choice from Bianchi.