Bianchi Identification?
 

I posted this a few years ago. The model/year remained elusive. Does anyone recognize this frame? It has Campagnolo drop outs, Cinelli bottom bracket; rifling marks on the inside of fork, but not in the tubes. I went through the old catalogues online, still cannot match it. It seems when I nearly make a match, the all chrome fork is the exception.
Any ideas?

extra photos

Looks like an 1988 sl/sp columbus frame, most likely the Mondiale, so top model, according to this page from the 1988 catalogue (though i dont have the complete catalogue, could be a different model, the frame looks the same).Plus that version of the logo was only '88 and '89 (i think, maybe 90 not totally sure didn't last long). The fork style looks the same although this one is not chrome, Bianchi models of the same year differ by region ie. North Americian models were a little different from European models, also different models used the same frames...

I concur, it appears to be a 1988 Columbus SL/SP frameset. The Bianchi logo decals are 1988-1989 but the round Campione del Mondo decal is typical of 1988. The frame itself appears to have a 1987 serial number, suggesting a 1988 model manufactured in late 1987. The Columbus decals are the pre 1988 versions, which would still be fairly common on 1988 models manufactured in late 1987. The Columbus decals are those used for the SL/SP tubesets and this is confirmed by the presence of the helical ridges in the steerer tube but not the BB end of the down tube, seat tube or chain stays.

The American SL/SP models in 1988 were the Mondiale and Superleggera. However, I see at least three deviations from the USA versions of these models. As previously noted, it has a chrome fork. Second it has Campagnolo dropouts, as opposed to the Gipiemme used on the USA models. Third, it has an investment cast seat lug, as opposed to the pressed steel versions shown in the 1988 USA catalog. As suggested these variations may be due to it being a foreign market model, which was very common among Bianchi.

Very nice frame - I love the chrome fork. That would be well worth putting some effort/money into a refurb.

Its interesting I cannot find a catalogue which shows a similar frame WITH the chrome fork. As someone mentioned, maybe the chrome fork was for US distributed bikes. (??)

Don't feel bad. My Bianchi, in the "charcoal"/metallic brown color, does not even appear in the 1981 (per serial number) or 1982 (per original components) Bianchi catalog.

Whatever yours is, it is obviously a top-notch frame worthy of being built up and enjoyed.

Or someone stripped the paint off. Nice frame though, it will be an excellent rider.

Well, the Columbus stickers are still there, so decals would have to have been re-applied. I think the all chrome fork is indeed original .

If could be the fork was replaced or it was sold as a frame-only and someone added the fork. I have a Bianchi that came with a chrome fork that was a year newer.

I agree that is most likely an 88 or 89. Bianchi switched to the triangles on the Bianchi decals in 88 I think.

'89 frames had Gipiemme dropouts and no pantograph on seat stay caps (stickers instead, a disappointment in otherwise wonderful frames).