amyfischer

I was hoping someone could tell me if this bike was worth the $70 I just paid to acquire it. It's 58cm, it has suntour GT rear derailer and dia-compe brakes. It has that Piaggio sticker on it as well as another one that says Made in Japan on the seat tube. It says "Sport" on the top tube but besides the Bianchi stickers, that's about all it says on it. All the components are suntour and it's a 10-speed. I'd just like to know what I got into. If this is an entry-level or better bike. Would it be worth me taking the time to strip down and clean up?

I was hoping to hear from Bianchigirl on this matter. I have heard in several other bike forums that she is the "guru" on these Bianchi's.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Bianchigirll 

well it is nice to hear a fan or two *blushing*

I am pretty sure what you have is a '82 Sport. it looks pretty clean already so if it is rideable $70 may be an OK price. some will say it is high but price is market driven

it is a lowend bike but if you are looking for a project for a learning experience this would be an OK bike for that.

wrk101

Pretty much entry level. Worth your time as long as you do all the work yourself, and are careful on your parts spending. If you pay a shop to do the work, you will be upside down value wise pretty quick.

amyfischer

Thank you Bianchigirll and wrk101 for the info. After I posted this, I found info on a TREK site about looking at numbers on components and found an 81 over a capital A, both enclosed in a circle on the back of the pedal arm (prob not proper terminology, but this is somewhat new to me). I believe that may indicate a 1981? However, I cannot find any info on the "Sport" model, except Sport SS and some other sports that have more to the model name. I was hoping for better than an entry level bike, but oh well. I just figured with the Bianchi name, I couldn't go wrong with $70 investment.

I have, in the past, been into the Schwinn's and have "restored" several of them myself. I am currently working on a Kuwahara (which I've not found much info on either-it's a 12 speed, not BMX) and once I finish it, I will strip down the Bianchi myself and clean it up. It doesn't appear that I will have to invest much in it other than my cleaning tools, and some handbar tape. If either of you know much about Kuwahara, I'd be glad to post those pics and get your opinion on it as well. Please let me know. And thanks again.

amyfischer

Here's the other bike.....Kuwahara.

Thumpic

I'm by no means an expert; but I think the Kuwahara is the better bike......better components...alloy wheels....probably lighter.....

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=kuwahara

amyfischer

I'd definately agree. I'm by no means even advanced on these bikes, but the more i deal with them, the more i'm learning and even I can tell the components and the bike as a whole seems to be nicer. However, I think the Bianchi will clean up nice. If I don't end up selling it, I think I may take my shot a doing a fixie....unless that's not a good bike to do it with. I have seen on several threads where people realized later that they picked the wrong bike to do it with. Any opinions? BTW, thanks for the forum link. I'm starting to get hooked on these forums and the beautiful bikes. It's a whole different world.

amyfischer

And just wait til you the the Kuwahara all cleaned up...it really is pretty. I'm gonna posts pics as soon as it's done.