DMNHCAGrandPrix

I bought a 1988 Bianchi Super Leggera in spring of 2009 from a local seller on CraigsList. It has since become one of my favorite rides. After putting about 5000 fair weather miles on the bike in the last 18 months, I've noticed that the headtube Bianchi crest decal is clearly wearing away. First shot is soon after getting the bike. Second shot is after thousands of miles of riding. The black parts seem to be the most vulnerable, including the letters in Edoardo Bianchi's name, and the darkest parts of the Eagle crest. In contrast, the decals on the main frame have stayed about the same during the time I've owned the bike.

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Have others noticed that your head tube decals show more wear than other positions on the frame? I suppose the head tube decals do get the most wind erosion, just from being at the leading edge of the bike. I've got some cyclomondo decals I could use for replacement. However, there is a certain charm to seeing the wear and tear of hundreds of happy rides, and I haven't been able to bring myself yet to replace the original decals.

melonbar123

Everyone should ride their bikes this much.

rhm

I've never seen that before. Either that decal was defective to begin with, or you're riding much too fast.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

you picked up a chip on the left fork crown as well....likely from a bug at those speeds!

very cool pictures. Report back in another 5k.

also picking up some pitting on the acorn nut on the brakes...might wanna ride faster to make sure that blows off

Bianchigirll 

beautiful bike, I loved mine. what are you cleaning the bike with and does it spend time on a roofrack?

the decals in that era were pretty crappy, the model name on mine did not last long. is that SL or SLX?

Chombi

Should there have been clear coat paint over those decals to protect them??

Chombi

BlueDevil63 

In my experience Bianchi head badge decals are not clear coated. Mine is peeling also.

DMNHCAGrandPrix

Every few months I'll gently spray down the bike with a mister and plain water, and then clean off dirt with soft cotton rags or paper towels. Once or twice a year I may add a drop of Dawn dishwashing soap to the water spray bottle to help remove more stubborn dirt. I've waxed the bike twice in 18 months with Turtle Car Wax. However, the head badge decal was clearly starting to degrade before I ever applied any wax, and I've always been extra gentle with no hard rubbing on the decals. I haven't applied any clear coat during the time I owned the bike.

I've transported the bike a few times on a rear car rack, with the bike mounted sideways behind the trunk of the car. However, I've never moved it anywhere on roof rack, so have never driven it at highway speeds with the headtube facing into the wind.

The Columbus sticker on the main frame was 99% gone when I got the bike, probably because it was positioned on the seat tube right where a frame pump would mount. From pictures of a similar 1988 bike, the sticker may not have specified the exact Columbus tubing (https://picasaweb.google.com/pablo.j...65990908452034.
I have also seen pictures of another reportedly 1988 Super Leggera with a Columbus SLX sticker, but color scheme is different enough that I can't tell if it is really the same model year: https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/..._3504.JPG.html.
I've read other places that Bianchi may have used a mixture of Columbus SL and SP tubing depending on frame size. Do you have a 1988 catalog that would allow you to check the specs?

I live in a hilly area so do regularly climb a couple thousand feet and then descend at 35 to 40 mph. However my overall pace is well in the mere mortal range (16 to 19 mph), so I attribute the erosion to overall age of the decals and regular use of the bike, not to warp speed!

DMNHCAGrandPrix

2012 update.
More miles, less eagle.

Drillium Dude 

Cool progression - in another year, there won't be anything left!

DD

jbchybridrider 

I would think with that much fading in such short amount could mean it wasn't original when you bought it.

velomateo

Do you ride near the ocean alot? Your front brake hardware and brake cable end are corroding as well.

DMNHCAGrandPrix

Don't believe this 1988 bike had ever been repainted or red-decaled before I bought it three years ago. The SUPER LEGGERA decal on top tube was already down to "..ERA" The "BIANCHI" decals on seat tube and down tube looked somewhat color faded but intact. I think age and miles are just taking their toll on old decals, and I'm putting more miles on each year than previous owners.

DMNHCAGrandPrix

I live on the San Francisco peninsula, about 25 miles from the ocean coast and 5 miles from the bay. There is very little salt on roads out here compared to places with severe winters, but may be more salt in air, or more moisture in general from fogs and marine layers coming from ocean.

rootboy 

Sun exposure?

repechage

Call Ed Litton in Alameda, he was the Bianchi paint warranty guy for some time, not sure about now, but he might have the graphics you need, or have the graphics you need and be willing to shoot clear coat over the paint. Maybe on the clear.