Tylerpearson

Bought this bike two days ago, hopefully as my first restoration project. Haven't picked it up yet, any thoughts on year and worth of the bike.

T-Mar

Welcome to the forums. It should be a 1985 model. I don't see the Piaggio decal which was used in 1981-1984. Also, it is friction shifting and the Sport SX went index in 1986. Once you receive it, we can verify the year from the serial number. I'll defer to others on value but MSRP was $315 US.

Tylerpearson

Do you know what kind of cassette it should have on it? I believe that it is missing the cassette, from the pictures that I received. I bought the bike for 15$, you think I will be able to do a light restoration and sell for more? I don't believe this bike will fit me, it looks to big.

AlexCyclistRoch

Not to be pedantic, but only a person can have "worth"; an inanimate object like a bike has "value".....

T-Mar

Ah, I wondered why the chain was hanging like that and the lamp was positioned to obscure things! Providing the rear wheel is original, it will require a six speed freewheel, as opposed to a cassette. The original gear range was 14-28T. You can buy Shimano, Hyperglide compatible freewheels in this range and number and cogs quite inexpensively. However, you should also buy a new chain, as the old chain likely will not mesh with the freewheel due to wear. Besides, the old chain also looks severely kinked. You're probably best to toss it. If you're doing the work yourself, you'll also need a chain tool, if you don't already have one Your LBS should be able to fix you up with all three.

There's almost certainly a reason that the bicycle only sold for $15. Without knowing what additional works needs to be done, it's impossible to say if you can turn a profit. Depending on whether you're doing the work yourself and the tools you have, you're already looking at $25- $50 to deal with the chain and freewheel.

howsteepisit

Well the chain is hanging like that because it's not on the cogs, why it's not on the cogs is still a mystery.

Clang

Also, it's missing the brake cables (snipped), and front brake. The thing I'm most curious about is why does it look like it has unused canti posts on the seat stays and fork? Did someone braze some on? I can't imagine that they're stock.

I guess send more pics once you pick it up.

Tylerpearson

Thank you for the advice, I am just beginning to get into bike restoration and working on bikes. I bought this bike pretty much as an experimental bike. I may not be able to sell for more money but I am just trying to learn more about vintage road bikes. I expect to repair the brake cables, gear cables, freewheel, chain, front brake, handle bar tape, and clean/polish the frame and metals. Are most of the tools I am going to need specialized tools or common tools that I may already have? I plan to do all the work myself, that is the point of buying the bike.

Also apologize for for saying a bike has worth instead of value. Rookie mistake.

Bianchigirll 

It isn't on the cogs because they are missing, but what puzzles me is why the RD isn't attached to the frame. I see 3 or 4 stiff links too

Bianchigirll 

Interesting. It's weird because the decals look original but if it is a Sport SX is shouldn't have them. I wonder if it is a Bianchi after all?

mongol777

Curious about canti posts as well. Could it be Volpe and not Sport SX as per decal?

Bianchigirll 

You will need both common and specialized tools. You need some basic wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers etc but then you also need specialized tools for getting the bearings open to clean and grease.

Where is the bike coming from? There are a few odd things and I am not sure we have the right model.

Bianchigirll 

No the color is wrong for Volpe or Randonneurer or even a Portifino, at least here in the States. I wonder where it is.

mongol777

Looks like OP is most likely in US (judging by AT&T icon).
Fork rake looks quite relaxed (could be picture angle) and I am thinking it is touring/sport touring frame, may be someone imported it.

Tylerpearson

Here are a couple more pictures.

Tylerpearson

I bought the bike from a girl off of craiglist, she didn't know anything about bikes, she was just using it as something to hang on her wall. I bought it for 15$, I thought it would just be a good bike to do my first restoration on for how cheap it was.

Bianchigirll 

That would be a great bike to learn on. I would recommend taking off all you can, then take it to your local shop or bike co-op and ask to have headset bottom bracket and hub bearings all loosened up see you can take them apart cleaned them and repack them and then go back to the bike shop and get the new adjust it

Is there a B embossed on the lug connecting the head tube and down tube? Is there anything stamped on the dropouts or fork ends?

DMC707

Needs a freewheel, chain - a proper set of brakes, and a bit of tlc -- bike looks good

Tylerpearson

There is a "B" embossed on the top of the fork, you can barely see it in this picture. Does that help authenticate the bike as a Bianchi?

T-Mar

Ha, I totally missed the cantilever studs. . Assuming it is Bianchi it should be a Ranndonneur, unless it's foreign market. When the OP receives the bicycle, the serial number will tell if it's from Bianchi or one of their contractors, and the year.

Bianchigirll 

I missed them but frankly I had a few good chuckles that you had missed them too. Quite the mystery eh?

Bianchigirll 

Another odd thing is there doesn't seem to a cable stop braze-on for the rear brake.

Tylerpearson

LS443368 is the serial, so what does that tell us?

DMC707

I've seen some use a little aluminum "dongle" of sorts that mounted on the binder bolt

zukahn1 

That's an interesting bike looks to be the base model Japanese built touring frame from the early 80's. But most of the components don't seem to make sense I would expect to see a triple crank long cage RD and canti brakes. It actually looks like it may have been a used bare frame set that someone started to build up with parts from a different bike and never finished. All fixed up an ready to ride with cani brakes and likely some different components I would say $250 or so in value so you won't make much of a profit but you shouldn't lose money either.