bfuser10291295 

This morning browsing Offerup I came across an ad for a Bianchi Limited and once realizing it had the Shimano 600 headset I had to get my hands on it. So here it sits with nothing being adjusted from the time I picked it up a few hours ago.

Everything is Shimano 600 except the brake levers which I plan on searching for a pair soon. Normally I break down a Bianchi and rebuild with new modern groupsets but I'm positive in leaving this bicycle AS-IS. With minor changes to cable housing, pedals, tape, bottle cages and saddle in the future.

So here it is ill let the pictures speak for themselves and if any suggestions to what levers belong to its original spec is appreciated.

In case those wondering on the buy price...it almost made me cry but a whopping $140.

cycleheimer

The frame is made in Italy from Columbus tubing. Any crying would have involved cries of joy, especially at that price!

3speedslow

Nice! Love the colour, Shimano 600 6207 looks fine on a Bianchi. Perfect combo with 600 hubs laced to Ambrosio rims, my favorite!

I would complete the group with 600 levers.

Bianchigirll 

That's beautiful! I'd buy them for $140 all day long. That appears to be an '86 in Metallic Violet. The OEM brake levers were the drilled 600 with traditional cable routing and black hoods.

bfuser10291295 

@cycleheimer yes pure tears of joy and I didnt care who saw me crying
@3speedslow @Bianchigirll I've started my search for brake levers but wasn't sure which they were. The tri-color was an obvious no go but as time goes ill make the changes.

I always thought the color was "Lilac" but Metallic Violet does sound more proper.

Wildwood 

The mid-80s Bianchi Limited i owned at one time was made in Japan.

mongol777

Interesting, I am looking at one right now, can't decide if I need Bianchi in that color or not. So is it Italian made or Japan? Ad says Sport SX. Bianchi road bike | road | Oshawa / Durham Region | Kijiji

corrado33

Looks like mine! Except much better color!



I ALSO replaced the levers with a set of 600s I had.

Note, I think the '86 limited CAME with mismatched levers. (I'm not sure what year yours is, T-mar will know) The rest of the components were 600, but the levers were some random aero levers. At least on my Limited it was, and EVERYTHING on mine was stock, including the saddle, so I'd have a hard time believing the levers got replaced.



EDIT: oh, but I got you beat, got mine for $50. $150 still a good price though.

mongol777

Your catalog scan notes and shows unicrown fork and OP's and your bike appears to have lugged fork.

Now I am very curious what exactly OP (his looks like Italian) got or rather what am I looking at in ad referenced in my previous post (stickers look like Tange stickers)

corrado33

Good catch, I assumed T-Mar was right when he told me mine was an '86. (Or maybe I'm remembering it wrong.) Then again, the limited didn't exist much earlier than that, and why would they switch BACK to lugged forks after going unicrown?

The tubing sticker on mine is "Formula Two and Columbus on the bottom" to which I believe is STILL a mystery.

And mine also has a made in Italy sticker on it (with an accompanying Italian BB.)

Sir_Name 

Great score! What's planned for tape and housing colors?

mongol777

For metallic violet/lilac - it looks like Bianchi sold similar equipped bike, same color but different tube sets and countries.
OP's bike is Italian, the one I am looking at is Japanese (I found several more references to same color/equipment bikes and sticker is almost 100% Tange).

I don't know why the fork difference, may be yours is not 1986 or was for different market (vs one in he scan)?

mongol777

May be a bit over the top but white/silver tape looks pretty good, Vintage 1980s BIANCHI ?Sport SX? 49cm ROAD BIKE in PINK!!! | GALAXY BIKES

I'd change/fix couple of things but overall pleasant looking build

Steve Whitlatch 

That is a great looking bike. Congrats!

bfuser10291295 

^Thanks

@mongol777 I believe the Sport SX was called "orchid" I had one previously but because of its size I sold it. I'm pretty sure I've got a Bianchi Limited but can post a serial number for someone to decipher it.
@sir Name my first instinct is to go black and black since its easier to clean but haven't set my mind on it yet. Getting the brake levers are first priority before anything else.

bfuser10291295 

Lucky for us I have both Sport SX and Limited. Notice the color difference but both have lugged forks.



Sport SX belongs to my wife but I say I'm the owner

Sport SX serial number


Stamped BB on Limited.

corrado33

Actually, I lied... I dunno where I came up with the tubing info in my previous post... The sticker says "Forumla Two" and "columbus" on the bottom. Where the hell did I come up with Bianchi Special?

I'm an idiot.

Lascauxcaveman 

Yours (now mine) is an '82 and indeed MIJ. "Ishiwata Bianchi Superset" sticker on the seat tube and "Ishiwata 022" on the fork blades. The OPs is at least a couple years newer. As I understand it, Bianchi production shifted around a lot throughout the 80's depending on where the yen/lira/dollar were sitting relative to each other.

bfuser10291295 

Seller told me he is the original owner and purchased it in 85-86.

ridelikeaturtle

I wouldn't normally like a non-celeste Bianchi, but at $140 you stole that bike - it's sweet! You've got exactly the right idea, some nice bar tape and a few nice bits here and there, and it'll turn heads.

What's that clamped onto the downtube?

T-Mar

The subject bicycle appears to be a 1986 Sport SX, in which case it is Japanese manufacture. At least all the ones in my database are. The main triangle is Tange double double butted CrMo in Superset configuration. Given the era and level, it is almost certainly Tange 900 with heavier gauge Tange 1000 in the down tube. Basically, these were seamed versions of Tange #2 and Tange #3, respectively. The fork and stays are Tange 2001 Mangaloy.

Based on the photo background and region, I believe the seller may be BF Member Binky. Do you lieve in the OShawa-Durham region? My in-laws live there and we will be visiting at the end of July.

T-Mar

I believe your Limited turned out to be a 1987. The catalogue picture you've attached is from 1988, when the Limited rec'd the new Shimano 600 Utegra. Yours, is the previous generation Shimano New 600EX.

T-Mar

The Sport SX is a 1986 model. manufactured in November 1985 in Japan. The official colour name is Orchid. The Limited was manufactured in July 1986, so could be either a 1986 or 1987 model but based on the Metallic Violet colour, should be a 1986 model.

T-Mar

My current belief is that Formula Two is rebranded Columbus Matrix/Cromor. The label clearly states CrMo and Matrix/Cromor was Columbus' least expensive CrMo set during this era. Furthermore, Matrix/Cromor utilized a heavier gauge down tube and chain stay, which fit with Bianchi's Superset philiosophy.

T-Mar

The device on the downtube is called a Flickstand. When you park the bicycle by leaning it against something, there is a wire loop that that you can swing down to engage the tyre. This prevents the front wheel from flopping and rolling, which can cause the bicycle to fall and get damaged.