Andy727

It says "12.8"

And the size is around 55-56cm which is much too small for me, so I unfortunately won't really get to ride it much, but I plan on either finding someone who will ride it or end up selling.

vjp

That would be 12 (December) . 8 (1978)

I had a 1983 Bianchi CdM that was stamped 3 (March) . 83 (1983)

Your bike, as is, in barn find condition would actually go for pretty good$$ on ebay. Take good pics, don't clean it.

Drillium Dude 

If that's a 56cm it would fit me - and I'm still hoping for a Bianchi from that era someday

I'll echo everyone else: if you can ride it, do so. If not, clean it up carefully and retain all the components you can.

Wow, what I wouldn't give to have a restoration project like that this winter!

You owe your neighbor a beer - or 20!

DD

Bianchigirll 

I am not so sure I agree with this. I am not expert on '70s Bianchis but I believe a '70s bike would be much different. the style of the decals for one, possibly it would have TT cable guide clips, over the BB cable routing and nutted brakes.

this bike exhibits a decal style more common to the early '80s, under BB cables and recessed brakes.

I think we need more information on the date codes from the cranks.

Drummerboy1975

So, I must ask, what is this bike worth?

Bianchigirll 

as it sits not much. you might actually be suprised but I often see, and I am sure lots of others see them too, 'restored' Bianchis on ebay losted for several thousand dollars but they never seem to sell.

me personally I would pay about $200 (OH this is not the appraisal forum but since Drummerboy is not the OP..) as it need tons of work. I would say there is also a good possibility that the seatpost and or the sem are stuck. the leather bar cover is likely nasty and musty smelling and possibly moldy and needs replacing too. they there is how well the paint may clean up, not to mention the rust on the odds and ends, then...

-holiday76

I think it could easily sell for $4-600 as it sits.
I also believe the timeframe of 78. I've seen those decals on 70's bianchi's before.

Otis

1978 was the first year for all those features. '77 was the last year for clamp on TT cable guides, long drop-outs, and early style crown and lug-set for the Reparto frames. They remained almost identical (except for adding exposed chrome on the seat-stay caps) through about '82 (with the addition of chrome head-lugs in '80-'81).

Bianchigirll 

well I did say Iwas not an expert on '70s models. I expect a '70s to have the more flamboyant or scripted red decals.

Italuminium

I regret drinking all the 350 beers this bike is worth, if it's really a 55. Awesome bike and it makes a great project, but I'd be wary to undertake it if you don't really know what you're doing (I don't know your level of experience in mechanics, bike mechanics or restoration work - so please don't take this an insult).

Otis

Actually they are plainer. Here's my '77:



I think you have to go all the way back to '70-'71 for the nice red/gold lettering, and those frames still used the intergrated headset (on the Reparto frames). It was pretty much these solid black decals through the mid 70's.

dedhed

geez, all my neighbor ever wants to give me is some old Magna.

-holiday76

mine's from the 80's but the decals are repro's from the 60's. Maybe those are the one's you're talking about:

Bikedued

VERY nice bike! I would SO like to find something like that in my neck of the woods!? I hate to hassle you, but is there any way you could measure the head tube angle? I seem to have the only non Pista Bianchi in the world with a 78* head tube. Yours looks pretty steep as well, so I was thinking mine might have been a custom build too(or at the very least a mistake?). Even though I believe it's a lowly Nuova Racing Tretubi frame.

And to those following my stem angle thread, I did finally measure it at work today. It is indeed exactly 78* with a 73* seat tube. I also made the HORRIBLE mistake of trying to install a set of Profile Design aero bars on it! It was flat out scary!! Very twitchy! It almost gave me the same sensation as trying to steer one handed using the extension of the stem. They're coming off before I hurt myself!,,,,BD

Bianchigirll 

Yes those are what I was thinking of

I'll have to check you stem thread which Bianchi is this? My RIGI has a 77 or 78 HT angle and yeah something that steep can be a handful. have you measured the wheelbase?

haddawad

You made a great score.
Bianchi still sells celeste touch-up paint, in case you decide to touch it up instead of a complete repaint.

Drummerboy1975

I want a Bianchi too!!!!!!!!

This is how I feel now.

OldsCOOL

Seriously, that bike? And free?? You must be living right.