I have trouble keeping up with all of the threads around here, and I only just opened this one tonight. What a great way to spend a late evening (I read it slowly, and savored all of it in one sitting). I'm still very much a bike novice, but that only makes it all the more fun to learn as I'm following along with a tale like this. Believe it or not, I owned a Bianchi from around 1975 to 1995. However, even though it had some Campy parts, it was an entry level model (a Strada) that I doubt anyone here would even want to talk about. I haven't seen one mentioned or pictured in the forums since I joined, anyway.

I have always appreciated the craftsmanship of high-end, high-quality products in general, and the subject of this thread is certainly in that category. I love vintage and collectible items for their style and history (gleaming Campy parts, the classic celeste... what's not to love?). I really appreciate it when people go the extra mile when it comes to the finer details of a project like this; and I really love it when people take the time and the make the effort to provide a lot of good-to-great photographs along with well-written commentary. I'm also very visually oriented, a big fan of great industrial design and art. This bike is a work of art.

So thanks (belatedly) DD, and to everyone else who shared their knowledge here. I doubt I'll ever graduate to a bike this fine, but I really do appreciate it for what it is (except for the part where I won't be riding it).