mikelevin

I just got a vintage Bianchi Gran Sport. I got this bike second hand. It must be 30-40 years old. Pix at https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikelev...7615306749390/ The frame has a number "8" stamped below the crank. Can you help me identify its history?

Tags: bianchi, gran sport, vintage

John E

It is a mid-level bike, ca. 1964 vintage. "Gran Sport" refers to the Campagnolo derailleur group. I am guessing it has a plain gauge carbon steel frame, because of the lack of a derailleur hanger and the very plain head lugs. The fork crown looks very much like the one on my first (1962) Bianchi. The right crank and spider look like a single unit -- in fact, the crankset looks identical to the Agrati set on my 1960 Capo, although Bianchi may have had yours privately labeled (I cannot read the brand name of your crank). Although it is not a high-end Specialissima, its geometry probably makes it a great rider.

You may be able to find date codes on the rear derailleur, the cranks, or the hubs.

Otis

I just looked at a really nice original one, but it was not my size and the owner wanted a bit too much for it. But here's a photo of what they looked like stock (the only non-original piece I could find on this bike was the Suntour bar-cons, and the owner put additional "chrome" stripes on the ST and forks).



This one would date from the very early 60's as the rear der did not have a cable adjuster. I'm not sure how many road models Bianchi had at the time but the Specialissima was the top of the line. The Competizone (sp?) was next down, and shared the same frame as the Specialissima but had steel cranks, and some lesser parts.

The Gran Sport was probably next (maybe 2) down the line, but it does not share the high-end frame. It's straight guage tubing and does not have forged drop-outs. But it does have the cool "integrated" headset like the race bikes, and the same color scheme.

Yours is definitely worth putting back to original spec, although I would upgrade to alloy rims, the seel ones on your bike look like the originals. Nice that you have the high-flange 3-piece Gran Sport hubs. Polish those beauties up, they are some of the sexiest Campy ever made!

Find a nice 60's Ambosio stem and bars, and a easy to find Brooks B-17 would be a good upgrade on the original "Export" saddle. You could have a real nice bike there!

mikelevin

Thanks, Otis. The rear wheel especially needed attention. It had 3 broken spokes and the rest are quite rusty, although it's fixed and true now. Question: I found some Campagnolo Khamsin Wheels for sale nearby, size and condition unknown. All I know is a price that is less than the bike shop quoted to rebuild my two wheels. But, several people have commented that the hubs on the Bianchi wheels are notable. Here are pictures of the Campagnolo Khamsin Wheels I found. What are your thoughts about replacing the original wheels with this Campagnolo Khamsin Wheelset(~$90ea OBO) or rebuilding the originals ($100ea). Of course, I could learn to do it myself...but what would be the best end result considering price and performance and vintage appeal. Thanks in advance.

PS - In case you're interested, I wrote the repair up with some pictures here.

evwxxx

Here are a couple pics of my early 60's gran sport. Came with cool "Bianch" label high flange all steel hubs, steel italian rims, Universal 61 brakes, AVA or Ambrosia stem and bar (both currently unmarked), and I even think the No. 8 stamped below the crank! I have upgraded/changed out a lot of the parts over the years, here are links to a few pics:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8983160...7600356767737/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8983160...7600356767737/

There are more pics at the flickr site, enjoy!

mikelevin

evwxxx: That's a beautiful bike! Question: did you polish the lugs? Are they chrome plated? I bought some brass wool because mine are very pitted. I want to shine it up a bit, but I don't want to scrape off the chrome. Are you riding it these days and if so, how's it configured?

John: Thanks for the info! What's the advantage of the Ambrosio components? And, yes for some reason the geometry is super for me. I have several other bikes that are much newer and in better shape, but this Bianchi has always been a great ride. I wonder if it's just me or if Bianchi turned out good models with fine geometry. It's my first Bianchi. Interesting that you could eyeball it and guess the geometry made for a good ride.

Pardon my ignorance, but here's a newbie question: what's the advantage to alloy wheels? Weight?

Otis: What's the advantage of the Ambosio stem and bars you suggest?

evwxxx

Have not been riding it for awhile, it was my wifes ride for a few years, then I had it at my new house in VA back in '06 when I first moved. Had alloy rims (weinmann) and Normandy hubs on it, with a 3 arm Sugino Maxy alloy crank. Universal 61 brakes and levers, and old style campy gran sport front derailler and NR rear. Very solid ride, not particularly "lightweight" however. The chrome lugs have some pitting, just polished them with chrome polish, same with chrome part of forks. Best not to try to remove rust and stuff with brass wool or steel wool or any abrasive, it scratches the chrome even if you cant really see the scratches. Use oxalic acid or other chemical methods. Advantage of alloy wheels is weight and stopping power in wet conditions. Ambrosio stem and bars would look "right" on the bike, from a period correct standpoint. Good luck!

mikelevin

evwxxx: Thanks. Well, I polished it a little already, but it's survived this long. It looks alright. I took the photo above just before boxing it up to ship home. It spent a lot of the past decade like this. Now, the front tire is flat. Both tires are very dry rotted. Another newbie question (thanks for your patience!): A local has "...a set of Michelin Pro3 folding bead tires. Size is 700x23. These came off a new bike and have 30 miles on them. No cuts or damage. They are Grey/Black in color. $60." And, another gentleman describes used tires for sale "... a Schwalb, a great tire with a lot of life left in it (size: 700x25). There is a Bontrager race-lite hard case tire with a bit of tread gone but still ready to roll again (size: 700x28). The folding tires are a single Hutchinson with good treading (size: 700x25) and a pair of Michelin Pro tires with nice racing tread (size: 700x23). $10 a tire or $30 for the whole lot." The current tires are 27x1.25. Interesting that I just noticed the front wheel says "Extra Ambrosio Kromoly" and the read wheel says "RIGID Made in France"

I like to ride to the coffee shop and the lake. Normally, I'd pick up tires from the KMart and historically have been just fine, but I see a possibility here to get something nicer than usual for this bike. Would these tires be good replacements or ? Thanks in advance for your time!

evwxxx

700c tires will not fit on rims made for 27 X 1 1/4, not even close. So, if you want to run 700c, have to change the rims to 700c. Some brake measurements may be in order prior to changing to 700c in order to make sure the brake "reach" is proper. If you want to go that route, it would be a good time to change to the alloy rims. There are a few good 27" tires out there, not that hard to find. For a grocery runner, Kenda tires at Kmart/Walmart or whatever work just fine. Or you can mail order them from Niagra Cycle or some similar place. Your rear wheel is apparently a "chromolux" made by Rigida. I have not run into steel Amborsio rims such as you describe for the front before.

mikelevin

Hi folks! It's been a while. Just thought I'd share how it's going with this vintage Italian beauty. Since we last communicated, it's gotten a new nickle plated chain, lights, new cotter pin in the crank, and a wonderful, vintage Brooks saddle. It's been polished up and waxed. The bike rides so smoothly, thanks to a new set of tires and those rims. The wheels needed new spokes and truing. The bottom bracket was rebuilt. And, that Wald basket is a joy on errands. All in all, it's been very pleasant riding it regularly. It's always a head turner, too!

Bianchigirll 

Hi nice looking Bianchi. don't see too many old "cruiser" types here in the states

mikelevin

Yes, indeed! Coincidentally, there's another one just like it in town here in Gainesville, FL. It's got beautiful riser bars and is about the same as mine. Thanks!

Italuminium

Very nice, Mike. Great commuter. Are there eyelets for fenders provided? That might be a good addition for the time of the year.

mikelevin

Thanks, Italuminum. It looks like there are eyelets in the front, but somewhere along the line, the ones in back got broken off! Maybe too much weight on a rear rack. No problem, though. I don't ride in the rain much.