This was a really pleasant surprise. The ride is very compliant unlike the bone jarring Trek 660. The following work was done:

Replaced de-laminating fork (Nashbar 1" threaded)
Replaced chain (SRAM)
Replace stem, original was too long (but stong as hell - no flex)
Replaced seat and tires and tubes (Performance)
Re-trued rear wheel (thanks to Swiss American)
Brifters rebuilt (thanks to Swiss American)
Replaced cables (thanks to Landis Cyclery, cables hard to find locally)
Replaced handlebar tape (Performance)
Pedals (Shimano - the Look pedals did not work well and were not adjustable)
Re-packed hubs, rear cassette (tied copper wire around the pawls to keep them from flying apart during disassembly), and headset
Removed rust with Naval Jelly, used alot of Q-Tips....



It's taking awhile to get used to the thumb shifter after using Shimano brifters for so many years but its a neat system, punch and go.

This one is a keeper....

https://photobucket.com/1998BianchiVeloceBefore
https://photobucket.com/1998BianchiVeloceTeardown
https://photobucket.com/1998BianchiVeloceCompleted

excellent job it looks great!!

Thanks Bianchigirll. I always wanted a Bianchi when I was a teenager but could not afford them back then and many years later the dream was fulfilled. Took it out this morning for shakedown ride and to my embarassment discovered the handebar bolt was not torqued down enough, otherwise everything worked way better than expected. The cassette was not worn out, and did not experience the dreaded chain skip while mashing and was a pretting good indication the bike was not ridden much. I wished the original steel fork came with the bike but the owner had thrown it away a long time ago. The bike may have a low-end Campy group but it works so well it makes me wonder what the higher end groups are like and parts appear to be readily available for rebuilding them. The appetite is whetted and I'm primed for more.

Nice!

Please fix that quick release on the ergopowers

Thanks Carabo, just realized my brake cables were tightened with the quick release enabled.

Not a problem

Your bike shows that non celeste Bianchis can look real classy too.