84Bianchi

Picked up the beauty at a garage sale this weekend. Thinking I will flip it, but wanting a bit more information on it first. Serial on the BB starts with 87, but is obscured after that. Bought in Canada, so it may be a Canadian market Bianchi - it doesn't appear to have a model name on the frame.



Campy indexed shifters & derailleurs.

Modolo Brakes - original? I have my doubts? But white brake cable sleeves with "Bianchi" on them

Made in Italy

Columbus Steel. Has the original Ambrosio Elite 19 rims and wearing 700x20 rubber!

So, to start with - any ideas as to which model? are the brakes original? rough value? Also, took it for a test drive and the chain is slipping. Teeth on the gears look ok, is it possible it is just really bad chain wear? 6-speeds so a new chain will only cost a few bucks, and gears only a few more, but I'd rather not put money into it if I'm just going to sell it. Is there a way to measure wear on the gears? They really don't look worn down.

My other Bianchi is an 84 Bici II with Suntour Cyclone II derailluers and Shimano 600 brakes. Thoughts on which one is worth more? I only really need one (yeah, yeah, N+1).

Bianchigirll 

Look for a stiff link or two in the chain.

This decal style hit the US in '88 but from what I have learned here on the forums it seems to have come to Canada and Europe in '87. I think that is something like a Trofeo or Nuovo Alloro. Nothing matches up exactly with my US catalogs but with a few differences those are the closest matches.

84Bianchi

Thanks BianchiGrrl. I think you're right, it may have a stiff link - I noticed it kink when pedaling backwards yesterday.

Are the brakes period correct, or likely a later replacement?

Any thoughts on value? $150-200?

T-Mar

The subject bicycle is a circa 1988, Canadian market, Bianchi Campione d'Italia. The brakes are OEM. The saddle, bar tape and brake hoods are not. This bicycle is definitely upscale from the Bici II. Original price was $699 CDN in 1988.

Ottawa's a pretty good market but it will start softening very quickly. Personally, I think the Bici would have better appeal to the college and university students who are looking for bicycles right now. I'd be selling it and keeping the Cd'I.

84Bianchi

Thanks T-Mar. I'll snap a pic of the levers to see if they are original or not. The saddle is super uncomfortable, so I will see if I like the bike with the other saddle on it. It also doesn't have braze-ons for fenders, and I use the Bici II as a commuter, so I may end up keeping it. I can hold onto the bikes until spring when the market picks back up, but the student market is likely pretty strong right now with back to school.

84Bianchi

Found its twin for sale in Montreal for $400. Looks like I may have been aiming a little low at $200? Or is $400 out of line?

https://montreal.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAdLa...eyword=bianchi

oddjob2

$400 is steep for a bike which retailed at $700.

You haven't clearly stated how much effort you were investing to get it in clean, derusted, rideable (tuned and overhauled) condition, so who can advise you on a selling price without that information? A black saddle would help too.

Bianchigirll 

Asking price and actual selling price are are two different things

84Bianchi

Yes, a black saddle would help (and a comfortable one at that). It doesn't have rust, and is fairly clean already. I will be giving it a good cleaning, possibly replace the chain, lube and possibly repack the hubs with fresh grease. Other than the slipping chain it rides well. I won't be selling it is as overhauled/tuned though - just as a great clean barn-fresh student bike.

84Bianchi

I may end up picking up a cheap black saddle, but after looking at this in more detail, this appears to be a vintage Selle Italia Turbo Bernard Hinault saddle. I will take T-Mars word that this was not stock, but was likely switched out when the bike was new - yet even though it is suede, it isn't showing wear. Anyone know how much these saddles tend to go for?

oddjob2

Look it up on ebay sold items!

Chombi

Could be worth quite a bit to one looking specifically for a red saddle for maybe their French mid 80's bike, and is a big fan of Hinault, as long as it's in really good, undamaged, and close to new condition. A genuine period, used Selle Italia Turbo in very good, condition might sell for maybe about 80-90 bucks. You can go up and down from there, depending whether you can find the best buyer for it, especially one that might be a fan of the "Badger", B. Hinaut.... B. Hinault edition turbos tend to be hot/cold as he is not universally liked by C&Vers....