1983 Bianchi
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2
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1983 Bianchi
Hello fellow riders!
I have a question. I was given a 1983 Bianchi with the following stats:
- c. 1983 bianchi road bike - Men's
- 54cm red stainless steel frame with gold lettering and original decals (paint still in very good condition)
- Original Suntour shifters and M-II derailleurs
- 022 Ishiwata CrMo double butted tubes, forks, and stays
- Ambrosio 19 elite' wheels
- Sella Italia Cx saddle
- generic pedals (my purchase since I was a newbie - how embarassing to put it on such a nice bike)
Long story short, this bike doesn't fit me AT ALL (I'm a girl and, even with the seat on the bar, I can't stand over it. I have to lean or get on the very tips of my toes). My questions is this: what would a good asking price for this bike be?
Also, would I be best trying to sell it in the city (Philadelphia) where more people would want it, sell it on eBay, or offer it for sale on a site similar to this one?
I'm sorry if this post doesn't belong here, but I figured you classic/vintage bike enthusists would know. Also, this isn't a cleverly disguised sale post. I really don't know how much to ask for it and I don't want to ask too much / too little. Especially because I need a new-used bike!
Kati
I have a question. I was given a 1983 Bianchi with the following stats:
- c. 1983 bianchi road bike - Men's
- 54cm red stainless steel frame with gold lettering and original decals (paint still in very good condition)
- Original Suntour shifters and M-II derailleurs
- 022 Ishiwata CrMo double butted tubes, forks, and stays
- Ambrosio 19 elite' wheels
- Sella Italia Cx saddle
- generic pedals (my purchase since I was a newbie - how embarassing to put it on such a nice bike)
Long story short, this bike doesn't fit me AT ALL (I'm a girl and, even with the seat on the bar, I can't stand over it. I have to lean or get on the very tips of my toes). My questions is this: what would a good asking price for this bike be?
Also, would I be best trying to sell it in the city (Philadelphia) where more people would want it, sell it on eBay, or offer it for sale on a site similar to this one?
I'm sorry if this post doesn't belong here, but I figured you classic/vintage bike enthusists would know. Also, this isn't a cleverly disguised sale post. I really don't know how much to ask for it and I don't want to ask too much / too little. Especially because I need a new-used bike!
Kati
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 8
Old bikes tend to have two prices: "The gotta have it collector price" and the "need a bike to ride price".
To reach the collector who has been looking for this EXACT bike, you need a very well executed E-Bay Ad, with lots of sharp photos, sponsored by someone who has sold bikes to dozens of happy customers. That collector might pay $200 or so, plus $50 shipping.
The "ride around" value is more like $50 to $75. Perhaps there is a bike shop in your town whose owner has a "soft spot" for older bikes. He might give you a $75 trade-in credit toward a bike in your size.
To reach the collector who has been looking for this EXACT bike, you need a very well executed E-Bay Ad, with lots of sharp photos, sponsored by someone who has sold bikes to dozens of happy customers. That collector might pay $200 or so, plus $50 shipping.
The "ride around" value is more like $50 to $75. Perhaps there is a bike shop in your town whose owner has a "soft spot" for older bikes. He might give you a $75 trade-in credit toward a bike in your size.
#3
Señor Member



Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,462
Likes: 1,554
From: Hardy, VA
Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
Try listing it on Craig's list. It's free. Take a picture with the pedals off (this is actually quite common). I'm not sure how much it is worth, but I would think you could get at least $200.00 for it if it's clean and in good shape.
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#4
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,212
Likes: 3,122
The regulars just saw a a mid-range, late 1980s Bianchi sell for $720.00 US on Ebay. Most of us thought that a selling price of $200-$250 was about right! It only goes to show that establishing selling prices is a risky business.
Fortunately for you, Bianchi is a very popular bicycle that attracts lots of attention. Unfortunately, your model is red and not celeste, that unique Bianchi green colour most people are looking for.
As the previous posters noted, the selling price will be dictated by condition (mechanical and cosmetic) and whether you sell it on the Internet or locally.
If you decide to go the Ebay route, here's a link to that successsful Bianchi ad, so you can see a good design.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...item=7131925594
Good luck.
Fortunately for you, Bianchi is a very popular bicycle that attracts lots of attention. Unfortunately, your model is red and not celeste, that unique Bianchi green colour most people are looking for.
As the previous posters noted, the selling price will be dictated by condition (mechanical and cosmetic) and whether you sell it on the Internet or locally.
If you decide to go the Ebay route, here's a link to that successsful Bianchi ad, so you can see a good design.
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...item=7131925594
Good luck.
#6
Fatties Fit Fine
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
From: Now in Eugene, OR
Bikes: Bianchi (2), Surly w/ couplers, REI tourer, Giant OCR Touring
Originally Posted by italiabikedude
I paid $250 for my '84 Bianchi. Heck the wheels on the thing go for almost half of what I paid total. Good Luck!
#7
juneeaa memba!


Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,631
Likes: 5
From: boogled up in...Idaho!
Bikes: Crap. The box is not big enough...
I've had three or four Bianchis. The one in question is a Limited, made in Japan - they did not use the Bianchi lug set and did not come in Celeste. They are good riders, and the workmanship is actually better than the equivalent Italian bicycles, but the collectors seem to only want Italian ones. All of that said, you'll probably seel $200-$250 on eBay, because it says Bianchi on it. Sounds like you really need a 48 or a 50 cm frame...how tall are you?
#8
I just sold this Bianchi SX Sport on Craigs List for $250 in the SF area. You might toss it up there and see what happens. Like USAZorro says, it is free....
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"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
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"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
#9
Here's one you might like:
https://tinyurl.com/agkdj
You could buy it and sell yours on eBay. You could probably get a lot more for your bike if you part it out. You could use the box the new bike comes in to ship your frame when you sell it. You might even break even or come out ahead.
Just a thought.
https://tinyurl.com/agkdj
You could buy it and sell yours on eBay. You could probably get a lot more for your bike if you part it out. You could use the box the new bike comes in to ship your frame when you sell it. You might even break even or come out ahead.
Just a thought.
#11
Originally Posted by USAZorro
Hey guys. This thread went into hibernation in February. Let it go back to sleep. 

Didn't notice the date on the original post - sorry!!
__________________
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
#12
Originally Posted by USAZorro
Hey guys. This thread went into hibernation in February. Let it go back to sleep. 

Didn't notice the date on the original post - sorry!!
__________________
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman





