I'm new here and thought I would say hi and ask some questions. Nice forum you have here.

I bought a Bianchi road bike circa 1987 (give or take) while I was at the auto scrap yard for $20. The frame didn't have wheels, but has Campy Record front and 6 speed rear Derailleur. Campy 6 speed syncro shifters, Stronglight 52/42 crank, Modolo Mach 1 and Mach 11 calipers and Dia Comp aero brake handles.

I bought a set of wheels off of eBay for $20. They have Mavic CPX21 rims with a Shimano SORA FH-3300 8 speed rear and a Sora HB-3300 front hub.

My problem is the 8 speed cassette. I don't want to get rid of the Campy derailleurs, so I need a 6 speed freewheel. What hub can I get that will be a direct replacement for the Sora (so I don't need new spokes) and what Freewheel will fit that hub?

I am on a budget, so new parts are out. eBay is probably my best bet, but I don't really know what to look for.

Eventually I would like Campy Delta Brakes (they look sooo cool) and the Campy Racing T Crank set with a sealed bottom bracket.

Thanks for any info.

Do the shifters have friction mode? (I'm assumind they are downtube shifters) If they do and the frame is steel I think you can make it work. Just cold set the frame to 130mm for the newer hub, and adjust the limit screws on the derailleur to get the range you need. Otherwise you will need to find a single speed or fixed hub and add spacers to get enough clearance for a multispeed freewheel.

You called?

That's a great find. Are you sure they are 6 speed syncros? 6 clicks? Maybe they are 7 speed; not sure Campy ever had a 6 speed indexed shifter. Anyway, word on the street is that the syncro shifters performed horribly. As c_m_shooter suggests, put them in friction mode, or get another set of shifters. Try out the 8 speed cassette. If the derailleur or shifter doesn't have enough travel for 8 cogs, either don't use the largest cog or get a spacer and a 7 speed cassette.

There are definitely 6 clicks on the shifters. What about the computability issue between the Campy gears and the Shimano cassette? I was told to always use one company's components, never mix and match, is this true? Can they be used together?

I thought I would get a new rear derailleur, but that's at least another $75 that I don't have, remember, this is a budget build (I hope). If these shifters aren't that good, what about aero brake shifters?

I am bidding on this, https://cgi.ebay.com/Campagnolo-8-spe...QQcmdZViewItem, It should solve most of my problems.

6 clicks = 7 speed. If you use friction, there are really no compatibility issues with mixing and matching Shimano and Campagnolo parts (excepting hubs and cassettes, and indexed shifters with rear derailleurs). If you try to use Campy indexed shifters with Shimano rear derailleurs and cassettes, or vice versa, you can run into trouble. Here's a great website to help with figuring compatibility: https://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3946

I'm currently using Campy 8 speed ergo levers and a Campy 8 speed rear derailleur on a Shimano 7 speed cassette. Shifting is perfect - I just set my derailleur stops so I have an extra ghost click on the shifters.

Those components in the auction don't really solve your problem. You have a Shimano hub which won't take a Campagnolo cassette, and there are no shifters offered. If you definitely want indexed, I think your cheapest route would be to find some used or NOS 8 speed Shimano down tube shifters and a used or NOS Shimano rear derailleur (any speed should work, but you'll need enough travel for 8 cogs, so I'd stick with something 8, 9 or 10 speed.)

I can't find any combination on that chart I linked to that will make a Shimano 8 speed cassette work with an old Campy rear derailleur (which is what you have).

That Record derailleur, if in good condition, could be worth something. Is it the Titanium version? Are you sure it's a 7 speed version? Any pics of your components? If it's in good condition, you could either trade it for a very nice modern Shimano derailleur or sell it to buy one.

Look for the For Trade thread in this forum.

That's a great find, nice pick-up on the Mavic wheels too.
BTW, where is your junk yard. I could use a couple of Bianchis for $20.

[QUOTE=JunkYardBike;6761416]

I'm currently using Campy 8 speed ergo levers and a Campy 8 speed rear derailleur on a Shimano 7 speed cassette. Shifting is perfect - I just set my derailleur stops so I have an extra ghost click on the shifters.

Off topic, but this is an answer to one of my ongoing in-garage bike upgrade questions. Thanks JYB

Actually, I goofed, there are only 5 clicks on the shifter, so it's definitely a 6 speed. I remember when I was a teenager (1970's) I had a 10 speed and always wanted Campy components, but they were so expensive. Now that I can get some off eBay, I will go that route, I'll just save a bit and get the components one at a time.

I just bought Continental tires, Specialized tubes and new bearings so my total for this build is $110

Thanks all for the info and help.

Hi w98seeng, ermmm, when you get everything sorted out--could we see some photos? Please?

Welcome to BikeForums!

East Hill

It's not finished yet, but here are some pics of it anyway.

I rode the bike for the first time today and it wasn't too bad. I feels kind of wonky, sort of like it won't track straight. The brake handles are a bit too low and the seat hurts like a b*tch.

I''m not used to a road bike as I have been riding mountain bikes for the last 15 years or so and I find it difficult to change gears, one hand down to the shifters and keeping an eye on the road. I think I'll try to get some brake lever shifters.

It's amazing how fast a thread moves down the list on this forum.

If it feels 'wonky' you might have a reputable shop check the frames alignment.
from the photos it doesn't look tweaked from a front end collision but can't tell
about torsionally (and if so that might be why it was in the dump?)
that 8 speed mini gruppo was a steal at less than $75. 8 speed brifters
(brake/shifter) will cost significantly more than $75, you'll get used to downtube shifting
it just takes a bit of time.

Marty

Nice find.

Comment on delta brakes. Them, and budget are incompatible, unless you have a benefactor.

Give yourself a week at 10-15 miles a day. Downtube shifters will be completely natural by then. And you don't want to see what brifters cost. Especially Campagnolo's. I've built up nice looking mid-80's road bikes for less money than a set a Campy brifters.

Brifters, great word. Why are they so expensive? I saw a lot on eBay and they are out of my price range. Haven't they been around since about 1995? Things usually come down in price as time goes by.

Thanks for all the info, I'm sure I will get used to the shifters. By the way, I didn't get the mini group.

Here are a pair of Campagnolo Mirage 9 speed Ergo shifter/brake levers from 2005 if anyone is interested. The auction is currently at $50,90 and the auction ends on the 1st of June.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=280230335984

Check the tightness of the headset. When you apply the front brake, do you hear a "ka-chunk" type sound?

Brake lever shifters, or "brifters" are not cheap. Keep at it, you'll soon get the hang of those downtube shifters.

Or, convert the bike to singlespeed/fixed.

This is why you find a wealthy, semi-serious roadie pal who is on top of all the latest and greatest technology. When he upgrades, you hint that you could use his old stuff for a project.