1980's Bianchi Brava
 

Recently I was given a (what I guess to be a mid/late 80's) Binachi Brava, and was wondering if anyone could help decipher exactly which year. It doesn't seem to match any of the formulas for any others posted.. I also haven't seen it in the online catalogs (81-86)

It is featured as:

• serial number on bottom bracket only: 694077
• Suntour dérailleur / downtube shifters (friction)
• "Made In Italy" sticker
• "Tre Tubi" sticker (indicating it is not 100% Columbus?)
• spring loaded tensioners on forward facing horizontal dropouts.
• not celeste, but a bluish green color
• Modolo brakes

Any info would be great!

Cheers,
-Steven

here are some photos which can be clicked to view 1024xsomething...

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/p...h_DSC02575.jpg <-formula 2 tubing http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/p...h_DSC02577.jpg<-suntour sprint derailleur
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/p...h_DSC02597.jpg<-Gipiemme Patent

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/p...h_DSC02589.jpg<-whole bike with ice storm remnants on ground :) (and pleather seat)
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/p...h_DSC02590.jpg<-just shows brava sticker and rust pock-marks

from what I've read in other "what bianchi is this" posts, I have deduced that this is a medium-low end model made in the late eighties (also based on the components and the lack of existence in the 81-86 catalogs). can anyone corroborate this?

i will be replacing the rear wheel with a fixed wheel and possibly the cranks/chainring. can anyone comment on what type of bottom bracket may be inside, in case i need to get a cheap crankset for the winter?

I've got the same bike. My Bianchi Brava is a 1983 model (I can't confirm it but I think I saw one in Flicker that's exactly the same as my bike, therefore I just concluded that mine is an '83 too). My bikes serial # is 691844. I recently converted it into a single speed/fixed gear bike. You can reach me @ nbiox@yahoo.com if you want some pictures or exchange information/data regarding our bikes. I need to know my Brava more.

Assuming it is orignal, the Sprint rear derailleur would suggest 1986-1987. The 1986 Brava ($399 US) certainly was Sprint equipped though spec'd with Columbus Matrix tubing. I don't have the 1987 specs, but the Bianchi Formula tubeset is more indicative of a 1987 model, unless there was a running change during 1986. The serial numeral would appear to indicate a Taiwanese model of this period.

Hello going by the catalog your bike does appear to be a 1986. I am hoping the pictures make that Lago Blue look greenish. there was no Brava in '85 and in '87 it came equipped with 105. as for the size of BB that depends on the type of crankset you will use but I think the shel is likely english. FYI the other color was Rubino Red. the shifters and derailuers are just listed as Sprint, with no indication of index. three models down there is a bike listed as having Cyclone derailuers with Sprint with 'light action'. I do not know if that means something 'retro friction' or not.

Another brava thread! awesome!

anyways, yours does look to be an early model as with what the other posters said, but that serial number conflicts with the 'italian made' sticker that appears to be on the bike, as that number would be an asian made bianchi. The italian ones are a bit more cryptic throwing in the odd letter and '.' character.

you included some awesome pictures that really do some good ID work of the bike, kudos to you thats better than most ppl here - including myself!

wow, i just noticed this is a ressurected old post!

oh well, my brava.
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8236/bianchi.jpg

Bianchigirll, can you make a scan of the 87-88 catalog?! :D

87 or 88? much to my dismay I can't seem to find my 88 or 90 catalogs but I am still looking around

er, which ever catalog features the brava i posted!?

Hello I found it. here is the pages from the '88 catalogAttachment 102975

Attachment 102976

mary kay inc did bikes?!

okok, just kidding, but those are some interesting scans!

my frame doesn't match the description however:

Its a Formula Two Columbus with a lugged Columbus fork, made in Italy.

The Brava in the catalog is a Japanese Bianchi, made from Tange tubing rolling on Araya Rims.

Very interesting! Thank you for going thru that effort!