1981 Bianchi Super Corsa / Super Leggera - Identification help please!
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1981 Bianchi Super Corsa / Super Leggera - Identification help please!
I picked up this rather impressive looking vintage Bianchi a couple weeks ago and I'd like to figure out exactly what I have. From reading a few different submissions on this forum I'm about 99% certain it's either a Super Leggera or a Super Corsa, but I can't tell which one. I've taken quite a few pictures which I'll post - I can definitely take more if anyone wants to see something specific. I'm thinking it's a Super Corsa because it does have the pantographed chainring and seat post, but what else would identify it as such? Also, I think all the components are Super Record, but I don't quite have the eye to tell the exact difference between super record or nuovo record or whatever else there was. Just a note, I did change out the crank arms as the original owner had welded clipless pedals to them (they were completely stripped), so the cranks are new to this bike. I think they're super record as well but they could be just plain record.
Ok, enough rambling - here's all the pictures, let me know if I can take pictures of anything else to help ID this. Thanks in advance!!











Ok, enough rambling - here's all the pictures, let me know if I can take pictures of anything else to help ID this. Thanks in advance!!

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Not the Bianchi expert - but that's a nice looking bike.
As far as NR vs SR: your FD is NR (no black arm), your RD is SR. For cranks, both NR & SR start off w/the same arms, but the webbed rings make it an NR crank, those without webbing, like yours, are called SR. Your brakes - calipers are the same NR & SR. Steel pad holders (which yours appear to be) make them NR. SRs have alloy pad holders. Your levers are modified NR. SR are drilled from the factory. Shifters: NR & SR are the same AFAIK. Headset - SR has some AL bits, the NR are all steel. I'm guessing yours is NR. Seatpost? There are some SR models with some differences from the NR that I don't know w/o some research.
But once again, that's beaut & a keeper. Welcome to BF.
As far as NR vs SR: your FD is NR (no black arm), your RD is SR. For cranks, both NR & SR start off w/the same arms, but the webbed rings make it an NR crank, those without webbing, like yours, are called SR. Your brakes - calipers are the same NR & SR. Steel pad holders (which yours appear to be) make them NR. SRs have alloy pad holders. Your levers are modified NR. SR are drilled from the factory. Shifters: NR & SR are the same AFAIK. Headset - SR has some AL bits, the NR are all steel. I'm guessing yours is NR. Seatpost? There are some SR models with some differences from the NR that I don't know w/o some research.
But once again, that's beaut & a keeper. Welcome to BF.
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It's an amazing bike, for sure. So most of the components, save the rear derailleur are Nuovo Record? Does that make this most likely a Super Leggera then? What are the differences? As far as I'm aware, only the SL and SC models used the frame designation 00.4.30 - is there maybe a way to differentiate between the two with the serial number? Thanks for all the info!
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The following link should provide some help: https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalog...hi-81a/pg4.jpg
I also think it is a SL since most components are NR sans the rear derailleur which could have been switched later. Differences between NR and SR are minimal at best from what I have read. Also the saddle is not original. Great bike, you got yourself a keeper.
I also think it is a SL since most components are NR sans the rear derailleur which could have been switched later. Differences between NR and SR are minimal at best from what I have read. Also the saddle is not original. Great bike, you got yourself a keeper.
#5
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Hard to say. Surprised this bike has the Bianchi head badge decal and not the Piaggio/Vespa one. Rims are not original. SR rear derailleur would indicate SC. Record headset would indicate SL. Does it have real SR pedals (titanium axles)? Something is wrong with the rear derailleur or dropout. Derailleur cage is slanted too far forward and too close to freewheel. Oops now I see no pedals. Probably sold those rare SR pedals. I would lean toward a Super Leggera with an upgraded rear derailleur. What patent is the RD?
Cool bike and black is a fairly rare color for a Super Leggera. In fact I have never seen one.
Cool bike and black is a fairly rare color for a Super Leggera. In fact I have never seen one.
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64 Bianchi Specialissima, 67 Masi Special, 70 Pogliaghi ItalCorse, 72 De Rosa, 72 Masi Gran Criterium, 75 Masi Gran Criterium, 77 Melton, 79 Bianchi Super Leggera, 79 Gios Super Record, 81 Picchio Special, 82 Guerciotti Super Record, 82 Colnago Profil CX, 83 Colnago Superissimo, 84 Fuso
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ebay: cicloclassico
64 Bianchi Specialissima, 67 Masi Special, 70 Pogliaghi ItalCorse, 72 De Rosa, 72 Masi Gran Criterium, 75 Masi Gran Criterium, 77 Melton, 79 Bianchi Super Leggera, 79 Gios Super Record, 81 Picchio Special, 82 Guerciotti Super Record, 82 Colnago Profil CX, 83 Colnago Superissimo, 84 Fuso
Last edited by BlueDevil63; 09-27-13 at 11:27 PM.
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Beautiful Bianchi. The linked spec sheet is for '80 I believe.
The '81 Super Leggera did come in black according to the catalog. Aside from possibly the stem and the as mentioned rims it looks pretty stock. The OEM pedals were Nuovo record and the original stem was TTT Bianchi engraved, but the one in the catalog does not look like the one on the bike now. Also the OEM rims would have been Mavic O.R. 10 tubular rims.
Are you riding it with the seat this low?

You need to check your leg extension or maybe the frame is too big.
The '81 Super Leggera did come in black according to the catalog. Aside from possibly the stem and the as mentioned rims it looks pretty stock. The OEM pedals were Nuovo record and the original stem was TTT Bianchi engraved, but the one in the catalog does not look like the one on the bike now. Also the OEM rims would have been Mavic O.R. 10 tubular rims.
Are you riding it with the seat this low?
You need to check your leg extension or maybe the frame is too big.
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Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
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