adamld83

Hi everyone, I would appreciate any help as I am pretty clueless when it comes to these. Anyways, I just want something reliable and of good build quality that will serve as a good transportation and the occasional casual weekend ride.

A bicycle mechanic who has listed quite a few vintage bikes has this Bianchi and he says he went over the bike, replaced some cables, new tires and otherwise says it rides perfect. I asked how old and he wasnt really sure but said it had some good components. I think shimano 600 maybe?? Anways is this bike worth $185? More importantly, I would like something I can fix up(paint, wheels etc..) and upgrade that was not just some average bike in its prime. Thoughts?

Heres a pic..

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8189936...in/photostream

bikemig 

There are some Bianchi experts who will be able to tell you exactly what it is but it looks like one of the Bianchis made in Japan (that looks like an Ishiwata tubing sticker on the forks and seat tube and the bike has decent looking Japanese parts). You should take some close ups of the bike, esp. the drive train. I like the bike mainly for the tubing set and the wheels (which are the heart of the bike). If it fits you and the wheels are straight and the parts work well, $185 seems pretty reasonable for this quality of a bike. I'm assuming that this is a high quality Ishiwata tubing set but I can't be certain from the pics. It would be helpful if we knew what was written on the frame tubing stickers.

Bianchigirll 

I would like to see some better pics esp. a closeup of the tubing decal and the froward end of TT if there is any part of the model name left.

I think what you is an '82 Sport SS, a Japanese model with Ishawata Double Butted Mangalloy tubing and shimano 105 (likely "Golden Arrow" era) drive train with DiaCompe brakes. If it fits you and needs nothing but the seat height adjusted $185 seems like an OK deal especially if you someplace like LA or SanFran.

This will be a great basic transportation and fast recreational rider but not something I would start getting painted and doing alot of upgrading to.

adamld83

Thanks everyone. Yea I cant really make out anything else. I am in a pretty bike-centric area close to a major university. Bikes go for alot around here...single speed conversions with beat up peugot frames regularly go for 175.

If I go vintage I think I may want something a little more high quality...I think I may hold out and keep my eyes open. Just wanted to make sure I wasnt passing up something special. Thanks again!

adamld83

But heres another pic for the heck of it...https://www.flickr.com/photos/8189936...ream/lightbox/

bikemig 

What does the frame tubing sticker say? I think this would make a fine beater/lock up bike and the price does not seem out of line for a bike centric area.

adamld83

I believe it says magny or magna.

randyjawa 

Welcome to the Bike Forums.

Vintage Bicycle Value is a difficult thing to determine, at the best of times, but the price suggested is not at all out of line, in my opinion. If the bicycle fits and is in safe rideable condition, then go for it. However...

Just get the bike on the road and ride it for a while, before spending any money upgrading or making it look prettier! Painting that bike would not be a good idea, in my opinion. Spend some time trying to understand why this is so by looking through Should I Paint My Bicycle? You just might not want to waste a bunch of money just to lower the value of your bike, but that, again, is just my opinion.

The bicycle, itself, is a nice enough Asian built Bianchi and the ride quality, though not stunning, will prove to be more than acceptable.