Well it was a busy week for me. I ended up buying an 85-campione (celeste) and an 83 Tipo corsa (celeste) both verified by Bianchi. Today I am a happy man.

Pics or it didn't happen!

You know the drill!

One of them is being delivered tomorrow, the 85 campione. It was the bike rgwinn was asking about on here. I already have replacement parts ordered to clean it up. the 83 tipo corsa is from ebay. The wheels are not original and a few minor items, but it is in fantastic shape and I struck a decent deal off ebay for it. As soon as I can get pictures together I will post them. I am just super happy right now. It took 30+ years to get my Bianchi, but I got em finally.

How or Whom did you get to verify them at Bianchi?

I do agree though pics or you get not street cred here LOL

Congratulations. I waited about that long for one of my grail bikes - the red Ironman Expert. Guess good things come to those who wait.

There is a guy named Daniel with Bianchi USA that I asked. He had me send a picture and verified the year and model of each. He would not offer info on how he identified them, but I think he is right on with what other info I have found across the world on the internet and talking to people. There are actually a lot of Bianchi threads on this forum that were helpful to me in buying what I bought. I just needed written verification from a reliable source. To me Bianchi would be a good source. I posted a few pictures from the ebay sale and one of the pics Rod posted in the thread here in my albums in my profile. Once I get the bikes I will take before, during and after pictures. I don't plan on touching the paint but would have no problem replacing components or parts with NOS or good used items. I also plan on riding them so a modern seat and clipless pedals will go on both if they will fit.

Well the 85 Campione arrived today here are a few shots. I will clean up and go through it mechanically. It is surprisingly better than I anticipated for a 30 year old bike. I need to find a modern seat and pedals and tires, but the paint is good enough to run as is w/o touch up. The pump was not in the best shape, but I probably will never have it on the bike anyway. It was a good day.

Nice!

Looks like NR DR's and Modolo brakes...
What other components does it have?

PS_ Add some Kool-stop Campy-block style inserts to your shopping list. You will need them! The scintered Modolo pads are useless.

Looks Fabulous! I agree on the brake blocks, you need a knife to trim them a bit but well worth the effort.

It is NR dr and a campy crank set, assuming NR as well, but I don't know that much about it yet. The rear wheel doesn't spin smoothly and I think something is bent in the hub. looking at it and the way the wheel spins something is out of round in the hub if that makes sense. I should probably have the bb disassembled and looked at and am going to call the bike shop in the area and see if they can assess the wear and tear. I don't have the tools specific to this sort of thing. The hubs are ofmega and yes the brakes are modelo equipe, nothing special by any means. At this point I am wondering what the best option is for getting it to a ready to ride state and at least keep it period correct. The wheels are tubular, which isn't bad, but a bike with clinchers would be nice. It also has a 6 speed cassette, 13-23 that is just marked made in Italy. Does anyone know what my options are for replacing the freehub if needed? I'll probably have a lot of questions and hopefully there are enough people here to help out. Thanks and I appreciate any input given.

^ These MA40's are clinchers, not tubular rims. I have a set on my Trek 760 and IMO they are pretty good wheels.

Can't speak for what is awry with your rear hub.
I don't think the bike has a cassette - it's likely a FW.
There are plenty of 6-speed options for replacement if that is needed. If it is needed, I'd opt for a new one with hyperglide ramps and a new 6-spd chain to go with it. Niagara typically has the best deals on them.

Is the hub binding or is the wheel out of true and hitting the brake pads? I suspect a bent axle which is an easy R/R fix.
The cranks I believe are Super Record with a Nuovo Rec inner ring and G.S. BB.

I agree the MA-40 is clincher rim so somebody swapped out the OEM Tubulars for these, good deal!

I think if there is a local shop you trust a complete oerhaul is in order, hubs, BB, HS, new cables, tires, pads (make sure they get Kool Stop Black Campi Style blocks and trim to fit your holders) and then you should be ready to ride.

Ya, free wheel, and yea clinchers. I did call the shop locally and they are actually decent with old stuff. So I dropped it off and told them to go through the mechanical parts and make it operational. Sorry about not getting the technicalities right, I am trying to learn this stuff. I will wait and see what the shop has to say. Is there an option to the current 13-23 free wheel? I really need at least a 25 for the hills in the area. I have no idea where to look for parts.

You might get away with a Sunrace HG 7-Speed 23-25T Freewheel if your spacing is 126mm between the DO's.

I have purchased a lot of the Sunrace 6-speeds (13-28) and they have been good, but your Nuovo Record rear derailleur is not going to like the 28T cog very much: Its max rated capacity is 26T .

There is a hill in central Ill?

I live right around the Illinois river valley and it is actually a decent area for Illinois. Some of the hills are 1/4=1/2 mile up to 11, 12% grade. So I can get a decent workout regularly.

This is good info thanks, I'll probably order one for the cheap cost, can't go wrong, too bad about the 28T and NR.

if shop is good they can get 14-26 freewheel, but don't settle for cheap modern replacement. Classifieds here and other forums + CL will yield freewheels.

Unless we are talking about a vintage NOS Hyperglide FW, it is hard to beat a new ramped HG freewheel. (The ramps improve shift quality substantially.)

Eight times out of ten, I have replaced the used FW's on bikes I've purchased because of skipping problems under heavy load, and consequently, I've purchased dozens of new FW's. (Mostly Sunrace HG 6-speeds.) In all that time, I've only had a problem with one of them (for a chain-pop noise off of one cog).

PS- be sure to replace the chain at the same time.

The shop was actually excited to see a binachi and the owner was touching it like a kid. I don't think there are many in my area. He is suppose to assess the mechanics and let me know what needs to beed replaced. I already called them and let them know about the sunrace FW and they are ording the one you sugested auchencrow. He mentioned that the front chainrings are like new and the rear brake has never been applied. Not a brake pad mark on the rim. The front is worn normally.

The rear brake never touched?? It may be the lighting in the pic but I see pleanty of brake wear on that rear wheel

Nope there isn't a really mark on the rear rim. The front is clean aluminum though and appears more worn than normal. If the rear was used it was negligible. I think the previous owner used the brakes like one would on a motorcycle. When I get the bike back I'll take decent pictures. I did find out this morning the other bianchi is shipping in the morning so I should have it next Friday. This is when my wife will kill me because she doesn't know yet.

Ah IC now it was the lighting in the pic.





If these are 59 or 60s I'll be happy to store one at no charge for you

I really haven't looked the bike over closely and was going by what the shop owner said and showed me. Once I get the bike back operational, I'll take better pictures and look it over closer. At this point I am just happy to have the two new additions. The Bianchi's were boought more for sentimental type reasoning than for practical or daily riding. I'll probably only ride them once in awhile for nostalgia's sake and stick to the new Colnago for everyday riding. I do love the looks of the old components and will enjoy admiring them in the front room of the house. If I still have a home after Friday.