Nearly Immaculate Bianchi Sport SX - Barn Find
01-19-18, 12:39 PM
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Nearly Immaculate Bianchi Sport SX - Barn Find
I just overhauled and cleaned up a hardly used Bianchi Sport SX, circa 1986. There was no appreciable wear on any of the brake pads and the aluminum brake tracks showed no wear so I would be surprised if the bike saw more than a hundred miles. It had clearly been kept indoors but having not been ridden all these years, the grease in most of the bearings was found to be dry and at least as thick as peanut butter. The tires still had like-new tread but were very dried out and in need of replacement. The decals are also nearly perfect - unbelievable for a bike that is over 30 years old.
I overhauled every set of bearings on the bike save for the freewheel which I was able to get running smoothly without taking it apart. Everything is original except for the tubes/tires, internal cables and bar tape. Even the rubber hood covers cleaned up nicely with no visible cracks. The paint is almost perfect with just a few tiny chips here and there and some small areas under the chainstays where the removed the kickstand (an inconspicuous area where you would expect the paint to be affected). After overhauling I just cleaned it up and waxed it. Didn't spend too much time on the wheels so they could be better.
I couldn't find this bike on the Blue Book and I haven't seen any in this condition on eBay so I'm curious about the valuation of this bike. Here is a photo:
Bianchi Sport SX.jpg
Here are a bunch more photos.
I might keep this one for my son to ride in a couple years when he grows into it. Waiting for some good weather to take it for a ride so maybe that will be the deciding factor.
I overhauled every set of bearings on the bike save for the freewheel which I was able to get running smoothly without taking it apart. Everything is original except for the tubes/tires, internal cables and bar tape. Even the rubber hood covers cleaned up nicely with no visible cracks. The paint is almost perfect with just a few tiny chips here and there and some small areas under the chainstays where the removed the kickstand (an inconspicuous area where you would expect the paint to be affected). After overhauling I just cleaned it up and waxed it. Didn't spend too much time on the wheels so they could be better.
I couldn't find this bike on the Blue Book and I haven't seen any in this condition on eBay so I'm curious about the valuation of this bike. Here is a photo:
Bianchi Sport SX.jpg
Here are a bunch more photos.
I might keep this one for my son to ride in a couple years when he grows into it. Waiting for some good weather to take it for a ride so maybe that will be the deciding factor.
Last edited by IrishBrewer; 01-19-18 at 12:50 PM.
01-19-18, 01:08 PM
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...the Sport SX designation was used for some "lesser" Bianchi bicycles.
IIRC, the frames were produced at different times both in Japan and in Italy.
I have one here with a "made in Italy" sticker on the frame. Good solid bicycle, nothing fancy, as you can tell by the component package.
Prices are pretty far down around here on the local CL, so I'm reluctant to estimate values any more.
...the Sport SX designation was used for some "lesser" Bianchi bicycles.
IIRC, the frames were produced at different times both in Japan and in Italy.
I have one here with a "made in Italy" sticker on the frame. Good solid bicycle, nothing fancy, as you can tell by the component package.
Prices are pretty far down around here on the local CL, so I'm reluctant to estimate values any more.
01-19-18, 01:16 PM
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Looks great!
I wouldn't get my hopes up about the value, but it ought to make a rider of shorter stature really happy.
I wouldn't get my hopes up about the value, but it ought to make a rider of shorter stature really happy.
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01-19-18, 04:06 PM
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That looks fabulous! I told you that paint really holds a shine.
Some Sport SX models were made in Italy? I don't have my catalogs handy but IIRC the Sport SX was built from '86-89 and all were made in the Orient somewhere. As for it being a "lesser" Bianchi I think that is a matter of opinion. I put lots of miles on mine between training and trying to race the first year I had to commuting and even cyclocross. It took a licking and kept ticking.
Originally Posted by 3alarmer
.
...the Sport SX designation was used for some "lesser" Bianchi bicycles.
IIRC, the frames were produced at different times both in Japan and in Italy.
I have one here with a "made in Italy" sticker on the frame. Good solid bicycle, nothing fancy, as you can tell by the component package.
Prices are pretty far down around here on the local CL, so I'm reluctant to estimate values any more.
...the Sport SX designation was used for some "lesser" Bianchi bicycles.
IIRC, the frames were produced at different times both in Japan and in Italy.
I have one here with a "made in Italy" sticker on the frame. Good solid bicycle, nothing fancy, as you can tell by the component package.
Prices are pretty far down around here on the local CL, so I'm reluctant to estimate values any more.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
01-19-18, 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Bianchigirll
That looks fabulous! I told you that paint really holds a shine.
Some Sport SX models were made in Italy? I don't have my catalogs handy but IIRC the Sport SX was built from '86-89 and all were made in the Orient somewhere. As for it being a "lesser" Bianchi I think that is a matter of opinion. I put lots of miles on mine between training and trying to race the first year I had to commuting and even cyclocross. It took a licking and kept ticking.
Some Sport SX models were made in Italy? I don't have my catalogs handy but IIRC the Sport SX was built from '86-89 and all were made in the Orient somewhere. As for it being a "lesser" Bianchi I think that is a matter of opinion. I put lots of miles on mine between training and trying to race the first year I had to commuting and even cyclocross. It took a licking and kept ticking.
...I honestly don't know where mine was manufactured, but like this one in the thread above, someone put a made in Italy ribbon sticker on the frame. I'm pretty sure it's original to the bike, because it was also barely ridden when I got it. It's not a bad bicycle, it's just equipped and pantographed in such a way that you can tell it was one of their more competitively priced bicycles.
The fork pantograph B, for example, lacks a certain pizazz. As I said, a fine riding bike. Solid in both durability and performance, like most of the Bianchi bikes of that period.
edit: oops...looks like that one is a Ltd.
Upon further reflection, mine might indeed be a Bianchi from the orient. I can't see either of them right now, but I also have a Rekord that I might be remembering with that made in Italy ribbon on the frame. I like that Rekord a lot...and it's also not at the top of the pole in the years they made it.
Last edited by 3alarmer; 01-19-18 at 08:00 PM.
01-20-18, 12:38 PM
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Removed the freewheel today to overhaul it which allowed me to clean up the dork disc and the areas of the spokes beneath. The internals of the Suntour Perfect 6 speed looked great especially after brushing with some acetone. Cleaned the pawls, bearings and races and repacked with waterproof grease. Looks beautiful all put back together and with the fresh grease, better than NOS.
I love those rear dropouts with the adjusters...very nice to get things done tuned.
Bianchi rear mech.jpg
I love those rear dropouts with the adjusters...very nice to get things done tuned.
Bianchi rear mech.jpg
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