Well, I took a chance and brought this bike home. I was mainly looking for a project bike and this one had potential. After the purchase, I took it to the local co-op to pick up some better components that I had previously seen. The co-op boss pointed out that someone was looking to make a Rasta Ride. Looking at the colors and the Grateful Dead sticker, I would have to agree. So, I renamed the thread in honor of the bike's paint job.

After conferring with the gurus of the C&V and doing a lot of thread reading, I felt that this bike had potential to be one of the upper tier Bianchi frames. It had the braze on FD. It was an '89 model based upon the S/N. While it did not have a panto seat stay cap, I found references that 1989 frames had stickers instead of pantos and I have run across other websites that show this ( 1989 Bianchi Giro ). Supposedly, the Giro, Mondiale, and Super Leggera of this time period were basically the same frame with different groupos. This bike came with the Gipiemme dropouts, BB and cranks. While I haven't stripped any paint yet on the chain stays to look for chrome, I have been able to break down the bike. I got a little nervous removing the components when I removed the stem (which was stuck somewhat) and removing the handlebar tape. YIKES! Fortunately, the inside of the frame looks pretty good with just surface rust. I was hoping that the prior owner would have painted over the original paint, however, the pic of the fork appears to show that they went as far as removing the fork races before painting it and there's overspray up the steerer tube. I'm currently thinking that they stripped the frame and so, fear that the original paint is gone, but I plan to take a little solvent to the chain stays tomorrow so we shall see. I was hoping to find the ribbing inside the DT and ST of SLX tubing after removing the BB, but the tubes appear smooth. I've ruled out SLX tubes, but maybe it's just SL? Plus, there is no Columbus logo stamped on the steerer tube after I pulled it from the frame. However, I'm kind of hoping but will probably never be able to prove it, but would they were still using SL tubing at this time. Anyone have any thoughts? I work at a medical office, so i might be able to xray the frame to determine the butting and wall thicknesses. (Of course, it would be after clinic hours!)

Whatever it is, I plan to strip the paint down and repaint it, unless I do find some original celeste paint on the frame. If not, I'll pick up a cheap paint sprayer from Harbor Freight and then decide whether to return it back to its "celeste" legacy or go rogue and pick an off-the-wall color. I've been thinking about making a gravel bike for the dirt roads around the neighborhood. This one might be the ticket.