Melspace02

After purchasing my 84 Bianchi a couple months ago my g/f and I been looking for one for her. I came across this Iceberg blue one last week and we bought it. I know its a subcontracted bike. I wanted to see if I could figure out what year it was and what its worth. If you need any additional photos let me know, it has suntour components and a italia nitrox seat.

Here are some photos









Also I had two questions.

Where can I buy all gum tires like tan tires for it?
Whats the best thing to use to remove a pea spot of rust thats surface rust?

roccobike

You can determine the age of the bike from the components. I like to figure it out from the derailers. On the back of the two SUntour derailers is a two letter code. I'm guessing you've got an 85 or 86. If I'm correct the two letters will start with a "B" or a "C". Whatever they are, write down the two letters from both derailer. Then go to vintage_trek.com ON the left of the site, click on "components". Then across the top you'll see a group of brand names. Click on Suntour. The two charts will give you the exact year and month the derailers were manufacture. From the newest derailer, you can figure out the model year of your bike. Keep in mind derailers manufactured after June were probably used on the next year's production models.

Melspace02

Great info thanks!

Melspace02

The deralier's show's front " Made in Japan VIA AF" and rear " Made in Japan VIA AI" this would mean an 1984 model or 1989?
Here is a link to the page:

https://vintage-trek.com/component_dates.htm#suntour

Also were Bianchi bikes after 85 all subcontracted?

T-Mar

While components codes are a usesful tool in dating bicycles, the only absolute method is the serial number, as components can easily be replaced and some manufacturers did not rotate their component stock , resulting in old components being installed on frames. However, in this case the derailleurs are original. They have date codes of June 1984 and September 1984 while the frame itself was made in Japan during December 1984. This is late enough in the year for the bicycle to be a 1985 model and I was able to corroborate the model year and originality of the derailleurs using the specs in my 1985 literature.

FYI, the original retail price was $315 US and at the time it would have been a sports touring model around the border of entry level and mid-range. The frame is made from Ishiwata Magny X tubing, with heavier gauge Magny V in the downtube and chainstays. The saddle is not original, the OEM model being a Selle Italia Anatomic.

Bianchi manufacturing bounced around, depending on the relative values of the Lira and currency of the country of subcontract. All Bianchi were manufacturied in Italy through the early 1970s boom, Sometime during the late 1970s, manufacture of low end models moved to Japan and then in the early 1980s this was extended to some mid-range models. In 1985 there was a massive re-valuation of the Yen and during the late 1980s the mid-range models were moved back to Italy while the entry level models moved to Taiwan.

wrk101

"AI" = September 1984, which usually means a 1985 model.

On rust, search the forum, there are hundreds of threads on rust already with thousands of opinions.

Bianchigirll 

nice looking Bianchi. those are 27" tires? check your local bike shops or try Niagara cycle for your tires.

https://www.niagaracycle.com/advanced...9133&x=12&y=11

Melspace02

Thanks! The wheels are AYARA 27x1