'54 Bianchi Campione del Mondo pictures
02-19-20, 05:08 PM
#51
Junior Member
Uni. Brev.
Lovely bike!
Either the bike is newer than 1954 or the seatpost is not original. This insomuch as Campagnolo was still not producing seatposts. Likewise the OEM pedals in 1954 were still the alloy "Bianchi" "B" pedals. The OEM cranks were also still the Bianchi branded ones with the three "B"s integrated in the steel chainrings. (Some of the pros did however race using set-ups like yours, or even had the very rare alloy Bianchi chainrings with the three "B" integrated). The saddle is also sporting a newer Brooks logo, likely from the time in which the restoration was being made. The red Universal washers on the brakes are also subsequent to 1954.
I think that all of these features point to your bike perhaps being newer than 1954 and that the componentry might almost all be original. It would be interesting to check the cones and the lock nuts of the hubs, as well as verify the BB axle (they were generally date coded).
Back in the early 50's, in contrast to today, it was quite common to fit the rear skewer on the derailleur side and the front on the non-derailleur side. As the 50's moved on, having both fitted on the non-derailleur side became the norm. I don't believe that I have ever seen a bike back in the day with both skewers on the derailleur side.
PS: I have a catalog from 1953 and am trying to get one from 1954 from a friend in Italy. If he scans it for me, I'll try and post it.
Either the bike is newer than 1954 or the seatpost is not original. This insomuch as Campagnolo was still not producing seatposts. Likewise the OEM pedals in 1954 were still the alloy "Bianchi" "B" pedals. The OEM cranks were also still the Bianchi branded ones with the three "B"s integrated in the steel chainrings. (Some of the pros did however race using set-ups like yours, or even had the very rare alloy Bianchi chainrings with the three "B" integrated). The saddle is also sporting a newer Brooks logo, likely from the time in which the restoration was being made. The red Universal washers on the brakes are also subsequent to 1954.
I think that all of these features point to your bike perhaps being newer than 1954 and that the componentry might almost all be original. It would be interesting to check the cones and the lock nuts of the hubs, as well as verify the BB axle (they were generally date coded).
Back in the early 50's, in contrast to today, it was quite common to fit the rear skewer on the derailleur side and the front on the non-derailleur side. As the 50's moved on, having both fitted on the non-derailleur side became the norm. I don't believe that I have ever seen a bike back in the day with both skewers on the derailleur side.
PS: I have a catalog from 1953 and am trying to get one from 1954 from a friend in Italy. If he scans it for me, I'll try and post it.
Anybody know if that lettering on calipers is supposed to be blue on this great example?
02-19-20, 05:28 PM
#52
Senior Member
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02-19-20, 05:46 PM
#53
Junior Member
Yes, saw the post date & fig’d what the heck - 1954?
7 yro thread? Scope of preservation & responsibility hopefully only being temporary caretaker of some a these bikes :/
Compile as much authenticity as possible - sure is lack of it.
A friend built a humidity controlled room for his “Pre War” Schwinns
7 yrs is like yesterday - I’m guessing the black was painted in?
02-20-20, 02:27 PM
#54
my name is Jim
Thread Starter
I'm still here but no longer have this bike. If I remember correctly I did the blue in-fill on the brakes. But I have definitely seen this on other Universal brakes and know at least some came from the factory that way.
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70 Pogliaghi ItalCorse, 72 De Rosa, 72 Masi Gran Criterium, 75 Masi Gran Criterium, 77 Melton, 79 Bianchi Super Leggera, 79 Gios Super Record, 81 Picchio Special, 82 Guerciotti Super Record, 82 Colnago Profil CX, 83 Colnago Superissimo, 84 Fuso
02-20-20, 04:14 PM
#55
Junior Member
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