merziac

Absolutely, full agreement, got any aged, tattered decal sets laying around?

SJX426 

OK new challenge!
I checked out the main triangle alignment with the BB shell per @doug Fattac in Checking Frame Alignment - Bike Forums post #9 and it is good.
The rear triangle measured delta is 5mm toward the DS. Is this close enough? OAL is 121.2.

Lattz

This frame is just simply awesome! Congrats! Whenever I decide I have enough bikes, and try to convince myself, never anything older than 80's something always pops up on these pages, which leave me browsing ads hours long for Frejus, 70's Bianchis, Umberto Dei gentlemens bikes... bah... anyhow...

I would reconsider that decal topic (or rather consider adding a foil base), take a peek at this Flickr before deciding... these guys seem to know exactly what bikes they have including the '69 Speciale bearing the same #171 on the drive side claiming its fully unmolested.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/11521783@N05/13047052123

Lattz

SJX426 

@Lattx - The foil base is new to me. That bike is very cool!

i will have to think about the post and what TT cable clamps I can find that are close to the right ones. I have three REG ones with a fair amount of rust and out of shape and missing the HW.

Lattz

A restored one allegedly from '66.... I'm sure you'll be thrilled to see that it also has x71 (could be 171) stamped on drive side and 059!!! on non-drive (guess its same year as yours, maybe same week), and also has the oiling hole in the HT.
Oh, and the "L" on BB lug as well! Looks like they partially used the style of decals you have, maybe not from Cyclomondo, as it is slightly different.
Bike BIANCHI SALVARANI 1967. - velosvintage.over-blog.com's blog - it is in French, so open in Edge or Chrome to get an autotranslation, there is a literally graphic presentation of the frame before resto, you were warned

Here's another "foiled" Special, Premium Cycling claims it's from '70, (#170 068) looks like there is a disturbance in the force when it comes to the year...
BIANCHI Special, Campagnolo Nuovo Record, 55.5cm (1970) – SOLD – Premium Cycling – Website for steel and collectible vintage bikes, parts and clothing (premium-cycling.com)

As for the seat bolt, the Rekords from same period used this, whether orig to yours or not, its better than the French dud's modern hex.



Steel-Vintage claims this was 60's... notable, that it is decaled Specialissima not Special like the foiled.

"Released in 1958, the Bianchi Specialissima was made to be as light as possible whilst retaining the stiffness required to translate the power of professional cyclists into formidable speed. With a 27.2mm seat tube, head-tube oiler and a Campagnolo Record Strada Groupset, the Bianchi Specialissima was built by the Bianchi Reparto Corse – the Bianchi Racing Division – with competition in mind. The same model was subsequently used by the legendary Bianchi-Salvarani Team in the 1960s."

Lattz

forgot this, although its different to yours based on the serial format...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kurtsj...n/photostream/

styggno1

My old restoration thread might be of interest if you have not already seen it? SJX426

Late 60's Bianchi Specialissima project thread

repechage

Gus salmon might make waterslide decals.
he is on FB
they will be closest to varnish fix transfers

repechage

I would look for a 7mm bolt, they do exist and Whitworth fasteners are always oddball
think vintage motorcycles

SJX426 

@Lattz - Greatly appreciate your responses, links and information. @styggno1 - Ditto. Great build thread and much good information that encourages me to nearly duplicate, with my limitations, your approach. I don't have an drillium but do have period Campagolo parts with Patrina of their own., One of the RDs in the bin is a PAT 71 with matching FD of the period. Brake calipers have a lot of cleaned up Patina but have the flat release. I need to research the stash of levers to understand differences, if any. @repechage - Randy sold my his decal set. Are you suggesting they are the wrong ones and I need to get a set from Gus? Gus did make a set of Burley decals several years ago when I purchased the tandem.

Given I have already filled the drilled holes in the top tube, I may touch those two spots up as well as the area around the DS CS.

Here is what I have for the frame. I also have a selection of tubular rims to choose from including NISI. Just need spokes and cables.

repechage

Not sure. A waterslide decal will appear much closer to a varnish fix transfer than a sticker.

SJX426 

Good to know. Thanks.

SJX426 

Didn't get a response to post 27, "The rear triangle measured delta is 5mm toward the DS. Is this close enough? OAL is 121.2."

Thoughts!

merziac

I would think 5mm to be ok but what do I know, maybe PM gugie, Mr. Fattic and Thompson, this could be one of those things that is a close call for many and I think 5mm could be wiggle room depending on whether you measured it on an alignment table or freehand with string or gauge and eyeball.

SJX426 

Thanks, I di a measurement using a level across the ST and HT on both sides and measured to the inside of the DO.
I assume the rear wheel will need to be offset that amount to be centered.
@Doug Fattic, @gugie, could you comment on the 5mm offset? Clearly if corrected, it would only need to move 2.5 mm

SJX426 

The DT shifters sent with the frame are 1014 Gran Sport.


They look a little rough, especially the band finish.
So I got a pair of 1014 Record.


Next is to order Spokes for these.



I scored 3 pair of the NOS NISI for very little. They do have washers installed for the nipple heads. The hubs I picked up maybe 20-30 years ago withing for the right bike.
I though I had Record hubs so went to the bin to pull them and found a pair of Tipo that were on the Le Champ. Well, good enough, I thought. went to put the shifters into the Bianchi parts box and found the records waiting for the rims. It's a mixed bag losing your memory!
Disappointed at not having the exact right parts and then finding them!

Lattz

SJX426 good to see the progress, keep up the great job! It will be a beautiful one...
Lattz

aceves

Looking good SJX426! Post more pics!

aceves

SJX426 

With the SO out of town this weekend, I worked on hubs, decided to clean up the front hub in the picture above and polish. Did that and discovered pitting on both cones. AHRG. Finally, ordered a couple that are supposed to be compatible. We will see.
I kept thinking I had more hubs somewhere. Looked up at the Trek frame hanging on the ceiling and found another pair! Cones are in much better condition. and the shell is already polished.
Checked the rear out as well and discovered that the OAL was 124mm with the DO at 121. Removed three spacers and now at 120 for ease of installation.
With the rear triangle skewed to the DS, I will likely try to straighten it out. I want to put a known goo built wheel in there, which I don't have yet.
Ordered butted spokes and nipples to build the wheels per the picture above.
Updated hubs to be laced to the NISI rims.

OH and found a Rigina freewheel on the peg board. Took it apart and cleaned it up too. You may have the opinion that they don't work well but the one on the Colnago shifts without too much correction with the NR RD, which this is getting too.
Hub lock nuts are 1974 on the front. Forgot to check the rear one.

SJX426 

Received the spokes 2 days ago. Laced up both wheels
71BianchiFWLaced on Flickr

Started truing the rear. Have tension now and almost round and true.
71BianchiRWTruing on Flickr

Kabuki12

I have a Regina FW on my ItalVega that I got from Pastor Bob and that thing works great. He also did a Regina CXS for my daughter years ago , that one works well too. Most of my FW's are Suntour but the Regina , to me , is just as reliable....SO FAR!

SJX426 

Wheels completed

I am getting impatient to ride this thing. Next up is to finish cleaning up the frame and placing the decals on the as cleaned up finish. Then build it up.

Made a couple of mistakes lacing up the front wheel. once it was laced and slightly tightened to validate spoke length, laced the front.
Got the rear set up at about 10 on the DS with eh Park tension tool. I then moved to the front wheel since the tension should be even on both sides. That was a good experience. The rim was trued up to 1-2 on the scale then tensioned to 5-6, then trued. I did 1/4 turns for the whole thing. Then moved up to 10 ish, and trued and dished, again to 15-16. Last step was to 20-21. The percentage difference was trued to 10%.

Then finished up the rear wheel. Little bit more of a challenge. I actually rounded two new nipples and replaced them. Need to make sure the tool is completely on the flats! Final on the rear DS was 21..

I don't know hat the recommended tension is for these rims, NISI TORO. Rule of thumb is at least 100 Kpa which is less than 20 on the scale for 2/0/1.8/2.0 spokes. I thought I was seeing some deformation of the rim at those levels so stopped at that level. Donth know what the tool is really reading as it has not been calibrated since before shipping.

smd4

The fork is installed upside down.

Kabuki12

Looking good ! I think the bike will show nicely for a bike you can enjoy , once it is built and decals applied. This is one of the iconic bikes of the day and other than a little more work , you’re on your way. For me, it always takes a bit longer than I think , even when I think I have all the pieces gathered up. I have said it before , the build is almost as much fun as the ride and the ride is only better because I built it! Pedal (and wrench) on! Joe

SJX426 

short update. Still in progress.
Installed the fork. HS uses 31 5/64 top and bottom.


Installed the spindle backwards!
Ddon't know if I will use the NR or GS RD. I don't think the bolts are correct on the GS even though the heads are marked Campagnolo.