Ketta

Hey all,

I have access to an old bicycle my father bought while in Germany in 1975 and brought back to the US after he was done in the service. He claims that it is a Bianchi labeled "Campione del Mondo" or the like which as I understand isn't a particular model that I can go by. He painted over it in a blue paint a number of years back, claiming it was originally green. I think you can see that in some of these pictures; it doesn't appear to be the celeste color these older Bianchis are known for.
Here are some crappy pictures- sorry for the quality. Its raining out there today and I didn't want to take it out of his pack-rat garage to get soaked.

Bianchi Bicycle - Album on Imgur

Can anyone help me identify what it is, and if it would be worth it to do some renovation or if its garbage? I know for sure that at least the chain and tires will have to be replaced. That said, I have almost no knowledge of bike repair- I would not be surprised if someone can deduce that many other components are garbage as well.
I'm looking into getting into biking a little bit more seriously. I imagine this thing isn't worth repairing, so I'll probably have to go find a decent used bike somewhere, but I thought it couldn't hurt to ask for some opinions.
Anyone have any guess at what it is and what it might be worth?

juvela

can someone help with a pic assist?

me browser and imgur do not seem sympatico...

tia.

randyjawa 

I am, by no means, a Bianchi expert, however; your bike looks to be a mid seventies model just above the Bianchi Sprint that I owned a few years ago...



or the less chrome plated version...



It should be noted that several of the original components have been changed, for one reason or another. If you wish to restore, finding the exact replacements might prove to be a bit daunting, at first. Fortunately, many other none specific components will fit, and work, just fine.

The bicycle, yours, is worth some attention to make it road worthy and safe to ride. Do that first and then decide if restoration is a worthwhile way to go. This part of the decision making process should cost as little as possible (forget cosmetics and aesthetics for now). This is what I refer to as the Test Ride phase of restoration/refurbishment.

The bicycle will offer a good quality stable ride. It will be fun to clean up, assuming you are willing to learn and buy tools that you need to do the job and/or simply maintain the bicycle. You will see that the tools needed are defined by the depth to which you wish to maintain the bicycle yourself.

The bike will take considerable knowledge and effort to make road worthy. You might want to start with the easy stuff and then move on, until your confidence becomes a concern. Learning how to do it is part of the fun of getting it done, as you just might come to understand, should you choose to give it a try.

Both of my Bianchi Sprints sold for over $300.00 each but that was a few years ago, when the market was stronger. The bike you are looking at should cost $50.00 to make road worthy and $200.00 to do a nice clean up, mechanical restoration, on, providing you do the bulk of the work, yourself. I have no idea what it would be worth once refurbished.

Good luck with your decision and welcome to the Bike Forums. Stick around long enough and N+1 will take on clear meaning!-)

juvela

managed to get the pictures to display.

Ketta, this is a rock bottom model produced in the Chiorda facility. Frame is constructed with Agrati Roma lugset including a bulge-formed head. This last item is a sign of a low end frame. It has plate style bridges of stamped sheet, another mark of a bottom end bike.

Could serve as a perfectly useful transportation and errands bike with some cleaning and lubrication. Would probably need new tyres, cables and brake pads to make it roadworthy.

Value as is, or after the work it requires will be very modest.

For your own use the single most important question is "is the frame a good size for you?" If it is not, no amount of work or expense will make it a good bike for your use.

Ketta

Thanks for the help! A friend of mine has most of the tools I would need to get it road-worthy. We might work on that together for fun just to see what happens with it. If it really isn't worth renovating further then maybe I'll go to the market and see whats out there for a newbie like myself.

Whatever the case, I guess I'll make a trip to a LBS in the next few days and learn what my size is along with those other preferences. Pretty exciting days ahead whatever happens, I'm sure. I don't want to use that Wal-Mart bike from the high school days anymore.

juvela

if there is a bike co-op or charity of some sort in your area this might be a good source for parts, tool use, mechanical advice, etc.

hope you enjoy the project. fine learning opportunity.

here is a wonderful thread from a first time restorer:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...pic-heavy.html