Bianchi ID Please
 

This bike really has me stumped. It has chrome flat/slightly sloping fork crown, chrome chainstays, no FD braze on, and chrome head tube lugs. There are no model or tubing decals. It is equipped primarily with Nouvo Record components, including the brake calipers. It seems to me like it should be a more recent frame (late 80's, early 90's), but the components say otherwise. Here are the only pics I have. I'm getting more.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/...98cb21d4_o.jpghttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1275/...3e446854_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/...3fff55a0_m.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/...bccee0ec_m.jpg

Looks as though you have an early-80s Super Corsa or Superleggera. The fully-chromed fork crown is different form both of these, though - they weren't chromed on the top of the crown. Are both chainstays chromed?

This is, however, a top of the line Bianchi for sure. Probably Columbus SL. Wish it were my size, and you were selling it!

Nice!!!

I agree ^^

Both chainstays are chromed and the chromed fork crown has the B engraved on it

Nice catch the bike is sic. Those forks look bent. Just kidding!!!!

Nothing further from the OP?

I got some pictures but they did not show good angles of the frame and fork. I sent him some sample pictures and he is supposed to be sending additional pictures this evening. I will definitely post when I receive.

Ok

Bellissima! That is definitely a step above my tre tubi Bianchi, and probably a year or two newer. We might be able to figure out the date of manufacture from the serial number (see my signature).

With the chrome headlugs it has to be an '80-'81. It's a top Reparto frame. It could have been originally sold as a frameset, or complete as a Super Leggera or Super Corsa. Looks like some of the lettering on the top-tube by the head-tube is still present. That would be the model name, or might say "Specialissima" if sold as a bare frame originally.

I suspect it was sold as a frameset, as the SL and SC models were all Super Record and had special pantographed and milled parts. This bike looks like mostly Nouvo Record, and the high flanges hubs were way out of style for a top end racer in 1980.

The top of the fork crown would have been painted originally but it may have started flaking and the paint was removed exposing the chrome underneath. Or it could have just come that way. There's no "absolutes" on Bianchi's of this period.

If you are into Bianchi's and it's your size you should grab this one. It's one of the best frames they ever made.

Well, I grabbed it and here are more pictures....

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=155670http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=155669http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=155668
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=155667

As others have said, a Specialissima (super leggera or super corsa based upon level of campy components). Based on the cylindrical brake bridge I would say '79 or '80. The frame is the same as mine except for the completely chrome fork crown, the chrome on both stays, and the decals, which appear to me to be a later set.

How about a pic of the bottom of the bottom bracket with the serial number visible?

Stan

My '80 Bianchi:
http://gallery.me.com/rockyshores/10...G_7930/web.jpg

and my BB with serial:

http://gallery.me.com/rockyshores/10...G_5484/web.jpg

I am glad you posted this pic. both of these are beautiful bikes but I think the OPs is repainted. the decal style looks alot newer. could also account for the full chome frok crown

Seeing the additional pics I'm going concur with the opinion that it has been repainted. And add that the painter took the liberty of masking off the fork crown top and non-drive stay.

The d/t decals are wrong, and the original bikes had the top-tube cable loops painted black.

Still a great find, again a fine riding frame.

Well, that bums me a little, but not entirely. I'm buying it because I think it will ride well and the fact that it might be repainted won't take away from that. I'm no expert, particularly about Bianchis, but given the characteristics of the frame (the "B" stamps, the fork crown appearance regardless of the chrome, the seat stays, the lugs) is there any doubt that this can be identified as a top of the line frame from the late 70's/early 80's? I'm working on getting the serial number and possibly a picture of the BB. Thanks for all the input.

The serial number will be basically meaningless. But fear not it's absolutely a top of top Reparto frame. In that size, full Columbus SL tubing. The chrome head-lugs were only used for a couple of years in that era and only on the top models had 'em.

It's an easy restoration and correct decals are available if you want to put back to "right". Or just ride it as is.

There's actually no tubing decal on this bike so it's just a fairly safe assumption that it's Columbus SL given all the other characteristics of the frame. The absence of the tubing decal with all the other decals in such good shape definitely supports the repaint theory. As to the actual decals on the bike, looking at Bulgier's site, the 81a catalog shows this bike with Paggio head tube decals and the older Bianchi decals with the beginning and ending slashes. The newer decals without the slashes show up as early as the 1983 catalog. It would be interesting to see a 1982 catalog, but Bulgier doesn't have it.

Here is the '81 catalog page showing the Super Corsa models.....http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalog...hi-81a/pg2.jpg
And an '83 page showing the newer decals on a Professional....http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Bianchi-83/03.jpg
Here's an '83 cover page showing the Specialissima without the chromed lugs, with the newer head tube decal and with the old style seat tube and down tube decals......http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Bianchi-83/01.jpg

This bike is a 6 speed so I am hoping the rear is 126. The seller is a little measurement challenged so I couldn't get that from him. It's a little hard to establish whether the rear is 120 or 126 when you measure in inches! At the very least, I may want to throw a Super Record 7 speed drivetrain on it. I also have a very nice 8 speed Record group with new hubs and almost new ergo shifters that would be a big step up in performance. I'm going to ride it "as is" immediately to get a feel for the ride characteristics before deciding. However, if the rear is only 120 should I be reluctant about going from 120 to 130 on the rear? I know 126 to 130 is nothing, but I've never taken the bigger jump. 5 mm on a side is about 1/5 of an inch.

Would you expect the entire frame is chromed underneath?

Yes, but I wouldn't expect the entire frame to have been polished to look as good as the lugs.

My rear dropouts are 130. My understanding is that it was built that way to accommodate installation of the Portacatena. Check the drive side Campy dropout for two screw holes:

http://gallery.me.com/rockyshores/10...5478_2/web.jpg

Here's the serial number on the Bianchi. Looks like 7.8.522

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/...64bc20995d.jpg