https://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...obalID=EBAY-US

I just bought the above frame and headset and hope it is an upper end frame. My guess based on the fact it was made in Italy, it is from 1978. No Columbus decals, seat tube is 27.2mm and the weight stated at 3150gr with headset.

Appears to have the right features of a nice frame, but I've been away from the sport for too many years sadly.

It would be nice to know what it is as to know what level of parts to source for it. It will be a project and money is tight so a part here and there as I go.

BTW, will be finishing up the Bottecchia later today!

Jim

It certainly looks like a quality frame, but I know nothing about Bianchis specifically.

Thanks, you certainly would know from the heard you have! I will get it in a few weeks (coming from Europe) and will clean it up and try to preserve the original paint and decals. Then start the process of hunting for parts and such.

Jim

Caveat Emptor. Well it is a European frame so I am no expert but it looks late '80s to me and the seller even calls it a late '80s. The style of the forkcrown, pump peg, dual bottle mounts, short dropouts with a eye in the drop (looks like GipMe drop to me) all conspire to make look late '80s. The big braze-on brake brace or whatever in the bridge, and lack of cartouche on the stay caps make me think less than Columbus. Also the decals look funny. tha block style looks off compared to the other graphics and the headbadge lacks all the fine print below it, also I don't recall seeing many Bianchis with a headbadge on the seat tube.

I was watching that one too , just watching as it was a little big for me . I'm just asking , are you sure 78' ?

Off topic, but [MENTION=413981]markwesti[/MENTION], I do like your optimism... "My Bikes: None yet" Whatcha lookin for ?

Why off topic ? Mr. France, I do not wish to crap up this guys thread with something about me . But I do thank you for asking . Please watch the introduction page and then I will blather on and on about me .

I showed the pic's to my new friend at my LBS, who are Bianchi dealers and he thinks late 80's as well based on the font. He noted the head badge on the seat tube and said it was something he has seen prior. The rear stay is Gipiemmi and the front Bianchi. The headset doesn't appear original.

The he question still remains, what model might it be.

Jim

What doe he or you mean by "the front"? Lacking any details, model name or partial on the frame or original components it is possibly you may never find out the model. I think the BB size may solve the Columbus question but the brake bridge still troubles me.

GipMe dropouts were common on Bianchis in the later '80s. I suspect it is simply one of the many Formula 2 frames but.....

It's a real Bianchi, just don't know the model or year.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/133196.../shares/84GV2A

Jim

BianchiGirl:

Not sure if formula II or not at this point, was looking at a 1987 catalog and tried to cross reference as much known facts, frame size, color, features and such. The lack of a front Derailleur braze on is the throw out right now. Yet, absent that, it has more features of a higher model.

Jim

Here's the 1987 catalog...based on the weight of the frameset, it will build to 22lbs...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/133196.../shares/Q4750Z

Jim

As BG mentioned, it has the paint scheme of European Bianchis. I've personally never seen a bianchi fork crown with the emblem, but without the word "Bianchi" written underneath. As well, the logo on the seat tube is new to me. To be honest, I'm suspecting:
1. the fork isn't original to the frame
2. a possible repaint? The BB says 8.M, which by my understanding, means the bike was manufactured in 1988. The seller describes it as a late 90s bike. Anyways - I don't know a lot about european bianchis and how they appear, but I think the question is worth asking.

Pic is a European Specialissima from around that era as reference.

Piece by piece acquisitiion of a kit is expensive.

If money is tight, as if it never is, then best to find a donor bike where you can strip it of the components and resell the frame and fork. Often you can get free parts that way. Less likely to happen with the top end Campy parts, but easily achieved with mid level Campy and Shimano 600/Ultegra and often Dura Ace too.

Alternatively to satisfy your urge to get it on the road so you can enjoy it, find a complete 105 group here or ebay to install and upgrade over time.

Have fun and happy riding.

To clarify, the seller notes late 1980's, it appears to be a typo in the description (1990's). It is possible the fork isn't original to the frame. I have no doubt that it is a Bianchi frame. My guess is that it could have been an employee made or custom ordered bike as it doesn't conform to what catalogs I can find online.

I like the idea of buying a donor bike for the parts, if I can find the right one, otherwise pick a part here and there ad affordablely as possible.

I would like to use period parts as much as possible. I have a nice bike that I just restored, it is just a hint tall, ergo, a 61cm frame...

Jim

Is that a Bianchi USA catalog or a German catalog? In '85 Bianchi USA took over importing bikes to the US and had a hand in speccing them. US market bikes are different from the European market bikes.

There is a B on the head/down tube lug so it must be a Bianchi and in '88 the Formula frames lost most of the frame cartouches except for the B on that lug.

Most of the '86/87 Formula frames and the SL/SP frames in '88/89 had that Eagle on the semi sloping Crown. It was dropped on the Formula frames in'88 for reason. The Formula nor the Special frames came with FD tabs (at least not in the US) It is always possible the frame doesn't match that is why I am curious about the BB size.


The only custom work that I know of Bianchi doing was Bianchi USA painting the MAX frames in Calif somewhere. It is always possible it is a custome but I doubt it. If I had a custome Bianchi built I would make them find some old stay caps with Bianchi or a B on them.


I just couldn't get over that brake bridge and even the BB bridge. I went back and looked at my '88 Trofeo w/ Formula 2 tubing the brake bridge does have the big flange thing on it. So that further solidifies my vote for a Formula 2 frame. Again the model may never be know because that frame was used over many models.

BG:

Thank you so much for your insights and willingness to share your knowledge. I have no doubt about the frame being legit and the fork as well even if a marriage. The bike is coming from Europe so I assume it wasn't made for the USA market. Once I have it in hand, I will measure the width of the BB and post the results.

More to the point, once I do have it in hand I will be in a better position to know how I am going to build it. The Bottechhia I just finished would have been a nice donor bike. That said, the Bottecchia turned out very nicely!

Jim

What's amusing to me, I have bought the Bianchi frame and a Bottecchia Project and didn't have a clue as to what model they were. My instincts told me to buy them...always follow your instincts! The Bottecchia came out nicely, albeit, I bit big for me until I lose some weight and get some of my inseam length back to make it more comfy. That is why I sought out a slightly smaller frame to build. It will suit me better for right now and should still fit after I lose some weight and get back into shape.

Jim

Donor bike bought...

https://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...obalID=EBAY-US

Jim

'89 Campione de Italia, be careful removing the cranks. Put some penetrating oil on the taper before trying to remove them.

BG:

If it fits me I might just clean it up and put the Celeste frame on hold, especially if the Italia appears original once I get it in hand. Took a chance as I could only ID the crankset from the photos as Ofmega. I outbid a dealer, so I think I did okay.

In in any event, it is the right era to work with.

Jim

I got a problem to solve, the donor bike arrived today and is an all original Italia model with a Suntour Quattro groupset. It is as I suspected a 61cm frame. The frameset I was going to build is also due today. I don't have the heart to **** a perfectly good bike just to build another one. I will clean up the donor and set it up and enjoy it. Will put the on the way frame on hold until I can afford to hunt down parts or another possible donor bike.

Kind of nice to have this type of problem.

Jim

Great, the Celeste frame arrived (took over an half hour to unpack). What a nice frame, this is causing me some thinking, do I or don't I....

The BB is 70mm and is 34.5mm inside measurement.
Jim

The serial # of the D' Italia is 9D 6451 for reference.

Jim

The Celeste frame has a pearlescent finish has all the features of a upper-end frame, chrome chain stay, but is missing the braze on front derailleur mount. What is weird, the fork also is pearlescent making me think it isn't a marriage.

It feels light and will make a finished bike around 22lbs (61cm frame). Did Bianchi do the chromed chain stay on Formula II frames?

Jim