Hi guys,
I was hoping you guys could help me identify the age of this Bianchi. A guy on CL is selling it and I already went over to take a look at it. He bought it recently and was planning on updating it and hadn't ridden it much at all. I was all ready to buy it when a few minutes after I rode it around the block I heard a "TWANG" and one of the spokes broke. After closer examination the wheels were kind of rusty and probably needed to be replaced. I decided to hold off on buying it and was hoping you guys could offer some advice if it's worth $250 or what year it might be.
Facts -
Shimano 600 cranks, derailleurs, hubs, brakes, downtube shifters, and I think maybe even the pedals.
42 tooth small ring, unknown tooth big ring
6 speed cog
he upgraded the shifters/brake levers to dura-ace 7/8 speed but hasn't had them cabled in yet

Well, if it is your size, and if you like the color and the history of Bianchi, and don't mind rebuilding the wheels, it is probably worth $250...but I'm thinking that that is every penny of what it is worth. make him an offer. The bike is more than likely a Bianchi limited, made in Japan, later model (like 89-90...) Nothing wrong with any of that, it is just that the collectors like the Italian ones better for some reason (should have a Made In Italy sticker somewhere if it is, indeed, Made In Italy. Usually at the bottom of the seat tube).

The wheels need to be replaced, or you need to find a fairly rare 8 speed freewheel, in order to make the shifters work over 8 speeds. Not a giant expense, but you should know...

The picture is lacking details. parts list is very good, add it all up its seems to be worth it. Try to get it for 200. But he may be firm on it due to the upgrades he put into it. Bottom line you can ride it as is or finish the upgrade, and youll have a really nice ride with quality components that will serve you well. Just make sure it fits. Buon Natale!!!

Measure the width of the BB shell. 68mm = Japanese Bianchi, 70 = Italian. As Luker observed, the latter is considered more collectible and more valuable, but either should be fine. Bianchi made several grades of frames, and you want at least a double-butted moly steel main triangle.

Yes, the picture is too small to get any details. I have seen some Limited with black stays and forks but the head tube was black too. Plus, this one appears to have a pre-1988 Shimano 600 rear derailleur which seems early for the black. The non-dual-pivot brakes and 6 speed cogs would also suggest pre-1988. I wonder if the owner painted the stays and forks?

To the best of my knowledge, Dura-Ace never came in 7 speed STI and those shifters don't look like 8 speed STI. I'd say that they are at least 9 speed. Given the broken spoke, partial repaint (?), and trying to mate STI with an old 6 speed cog, I'm wondering if the owner got into a project and just got so frustrated that he gave up? Those derailleurs may even be pre-1986 non-SIS versions, in which case the STI won't work.

600 is nice equipment but depending on the exact era, you may be getting into some headaches. I'd ask if the guy has the old shifters and brake levers and would include them. I'd also check the forks and stays to see if the there were chips that have been painted over and check the tubing decal, if any.

Regardless, at the suggested prices you should be able part it out and make your money back, even if it turns out to be a handful, provided the overall condition is good and the frame is at least mid range (which it appears to be).

Tough call...
Pay $200, then sell the Dura-ace brifters for $100+ and get some $20 aero levers and then buy some better (used) wheels? All a lot of work and only worth it if you like the bike and it fits you.

"Those derailleurs may even be pre-1986 non-SIS versions, in which case the STI won't work." Wow, good call. I don't know too much about vintage components but this seems to fit in with why he's selling it. He was *****in because the LBS charged him $90 to install the new handlebar and brifters. He probably realized that this was going to cost him a lot of money to get new parts on this because he would have to upgrade almost everything, not just the brifters and some odds and ends.
I'm sorry about the pic, I emailed him asking for better ones. From what I can remember, the black paint seemed original. Also, the 42 was stamped on the small chainring if that is of any help and the headset was 600 too.

Another tidbit of info - he said the seattube sticker reads "Vetta".

Just above the shift levers is what appears to be the decal celebrating Argentin's win at the 1986 World's Championships in Colorado Springs. That makes this either a very late 1986 model or, more likely, a 1987. That corroborates the pre-1988 rear derailleur. It's still hard to tell for sure, but it should and does appear to be the SIS version.

The tubing decals appear to be the Columbus Formula II decals, in which case it's a mid-range frame and is right for the the New 600 EX components. It also almost certainly indicates an Italian manufactured frame which increases the resale value. The fork decals are over the black, so the black does appear to be original. I really the black stays and forks. It makes it a little different from the standard celeste Bianchi. Still, it would look even better with the black head tube.

The most likely model is a Limited, as previously suggested by Luker. A 1987 Limited would have cost $675 US new. So, the suggested prices are probably fair, if you think the wheels can be salvaged. I'd still ask for the original shifters and brake levers to be thrown in, just in case.

yes, y'all are right. Those are nine-speed brifters. The really weird part is that they are employed only as brake levers, and the shifters are still hooked up. I owned a Bianchi with Formula II tubing and it was a nice bike. I think building it out to nine speed would be pretty expensive; hhabca has the best idea. Flip the brifters and get some appropriate brake levers. You'll be happy with the product and you'll get it a lot cheaper in the end.