mrjav

Thanks for the detail! Fork blades definitely have Columbus Custom decals but no internal rifling of the steer tube. A bit rusty, but it checks off a number of things to have a place in my collection - Italian, Columbus, shaped tubes (I love MS and Gilco for example), Celeste Bianchi, Campy's lost years!

Finally got around to converting images - I hate the new iPhone image format!

I also made two new Bianchi posts to my blog last night... some 1993 ads, and a translation of a Minimax review from 1993. Enjoy...

https://rorymasini.blogspot.com/search/label/Bianchi



Bianchi dropouts?


Columbus blades at least.


BB is a bit of a rust bucket. Non drive side is a bit worse.


Pump peg.


Rusty tabs.

T-Mar

I believe that Bianchi started using that particular Campione del Mondo decal in late 1991, after they coaxed the Gatorade team of reigning world champion Gianni Bugno to switch from Moser to Bianchi. That would make it no earlier than a 1992 model, which is a pretty good fit with the mid-1990s estimate. That looks like a stamped seat lug and the BB shell is pretty basic. While is appears to be a Superest II version, it's certainly not the Superset II shell used on the high grade models during this era. This looks like a mid-1990s, mid-range model. Did you get the seat post size?

mrjav

Yeah, sorry. 27.2. That seems to make sense, what with the lack of chrome and Bianchi dropouts. What about the weight though? Seems too light for a 57 Thron or Cromor frame and I would think an SL would get chrome (if they were even still using SL at this point). Round undersized tubes, no odd shaping other than the SSII.

merziac

H**y Crap, now that's a money shot!

mrjav

Here's an interesting twist... there's an EL-OS R.C. on that auction site right now with a price of $2500. It has the same lugs, same rear dropout and same "Custom" decal on the fork. Seems to be same generation of lugs and decals, etc. Granted, that one has lots of chrome, but... I'm not saying mine is EL-OS (tube measurements state otherwise), but there are a number of similarities here. The bare frame weight of mine makes me wonder though...

CABELLOJO

Hoping I can get some info on mine.

T-Mar

Your bicycle is a 1989 Bianchi Brava. It was a lower mid-range model, 5th in a line of nine road models. Your frame was manufactured in Japan during November 1988.

CABELLOJO

Ok, thanks. Here are the pictures.....

Samsung

SN is KS430537

SocraticTroll

Hi!

A friend, and bike mechanic, recently gave me an old frame that had lain around the shop for a long time. I'm planning to build it up, probably as a singlespeed. I would just like to find out as much as I can about the frame, such as the model and year or range of years. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

It has a serial number stamped into the bottom bracket, KS548867, and a lone 8 stamped below that. It also has "Bianchi" stamped into the rear dropouts. The headbadge and the Bianchi logos are the only decals left on it.

Thanks!

(Edit: I will post images after I have made 10 posts here.)

T-Mar

Your frame was manufactured in Japan during November 1984 and therefore would be a 1985 model. Unfortunately the S/N dies not incorporate a code for the model of bicycle.

T-Mar

Your frame was manufactured in Japan during November 1985 and is therefore a 1986 model. Based on the S/N info, in conjunction with the Ice Blue colour and presence of down tube shift lever bosses, your frame is from a 1986 Bianchi Premio. The Premio was 12th of 14 models in Bianchi's 1986 road line.

The frame's main tubes are an unspecified Tange double butted CrMo (chromium-molybdenum) steel mated to lower grade Tange Mangalloy (carbon-manganese) stays and forks. The frame is built to Superset configuration, meaning that the down tube and chain stays use heavier gauge tubing to increase bottom bracket stiffness. Given the era, the main tubes are probably a combination of Tange's seamed 900 and 1000 sets. Pic assist...

SocraticTroll

Thank you so much! I'm amazed you can figure out so much from that SN. Is there a place you looked it up?

And, you're right about it being a Premio! I didn't notice it out in the sun, but when I got it indoors and took a closer look, there is pretty light "Premio" on both sides of the top tube.

Thanks again!

T-Mar

Private Message sent.

gil_00000

Hello!

I have a Bianchi frame I'm curious about. I was thinking its a Squadra, based on some of the components. But I found an '87 catalog and it showed the Limited with similar spec. It came into the local coop as a donation and not a complete bike.

It was repainted or powder coated at some point. I was thinking it was done very well because there isn't a single bit of old paint anywhere. No over spray, tiny bits on any threads, nothing. I initially thought I should find some Celeste over spray but the Limited comes in black and that's the color it is.

I've started stripping it and I'm no where near done, so it looks pretty rough. There were also no decals when I started.

The serial number on the under side of the bottom bracket is 19919 on the drive side and 0 6 or 9 0 (depending on your direction) on the non drive side.

The seat tube measurement is between 26.8 and 27.0. I'm having trouble getting an accurate measurement. I think there's some build up from the stripper in there. I'll have to do finish the job and get an accurate measurement.

The frame dropouts are Gipiemme. Its hard to tell with the fork dropouts. The powder coating is thick. I can see some letters but I can't make them out.

The components it had were:

The bottom bracket is Italian. 36x24t, Shimano with date code of KF, 1986 June.

The headset is a black Stronglight Delta with needle bearings, threaded obviously.

The brake calipers are Shimano 600 Br-6208 also with the date code KF.

The down tube shifter was some Dura Ace lever, definitely not original.

There were no wheels, stem, handlebar, brake levers, or cranks for other clues.

As I said earlier, I initially thought it was a Squadra but now I'm leaning towards the Limited. The seat stays have what I think is referred to as 'Biachi Caps'? which is mentioned in the catalog. I don't know what the Squadra fork looks like but the Limited should have an investment cast fork crown.

Are there any other clues I've missed?

Thanks in advance for any help!

I typed all that up and took a bunch of pics but I've mostly just been a spectator and haven't posted anything. So, I'll make some posts and upload pics

T-Mar

What you have is a 1987 model manufactured in late 1986. The Gipiemme dropouts, in conjunction with the absence of a front derailleur hanger, indicates a Formula II frame. Based on the fork crown it is not the frame used on the Campione d'Italia or Squadra, which used the Aelle fork. Rather it is the full Formula II frame used on the Trofeo, Nuovo Alloro and Limited. However, the Shimano New 600EX components are correct for a Limited and even the date codes would be appropriate. It almost certainly was originally configured as a Limited.

gil_00000

Thanks T-Mar!

jfelts0424

On the bottom bracket, there is the number displayed as H1C53347. Any help is well appreciated! Nothing on the frame displays "made in Italy" but the rims are made in Japan, ARYA 700c PX-45.

T-Mar

The frame of your Bianchi Boardwalk was manufactured in March 1991 by Hodaka of Taiwan. Consequently, it will be a 1991 model.

JerryBerry

HI all, please help me with this Bianchi model ? I need help identifying this Bianchi Rekord 842 12 V. When was it made and is it ITALIAN ? its number 1L21944. ?? How does one read this ? Also all stickers are decals. Is this normal ? the dropout is Gipiemme if that helps with the year of make ? Also i cant seem to see any down-tube shifting holes on the down-tube but there are external break holders on the top tube. Anyone know why that could be ? @T-Mar do you have an explanation possibly ?









I

lukedunk

Hello all, contemplating my first vintage, or maybe neo-vintage project. Would love some help with ID of this particular frame, and suggestions on component spec.

Questions:
1. Can you ID exact model and year?
2. Anyone know with certainty the seatpost size? Definitely smaller than 27.2mm, but I measure anywhere between 26.5 and 26.8.
3. Exact headset and crown race size? The crown race currently on the fork is wrong size. Seems to be 1" steer tube but with a step out at bottom?
4. What are your thoughts on finish? I thought about repainting vs. stripping to a bare finish.

What I know:
- Made in Japan and Piaggio stickers suggest maybe Ishiwata tubing?
- S/N on bottom bracket = MH08461
- Rear spacing is 120mm, dropouts are stamped Shimano-*something*
- Fork spacing is 100mm, dropouts are stamped Tange-*something*
- Only model sticker I can read is "Super..." on both sides of top tube
- BB is BSA threaded (the bottom bracket partially installed was just to verify the threading and not original)
- I don't have any original components, acquired it as a frame/fork only

Pics attached, thanks for any help!
Edit: Can't post pics yet, album is here:
photos.app.goo.gl/gF6Baf7JLPRM7sGH7

T-Mar

Based on the frame features in conjunction with the serial number, your frame was manufactured in Italy during 1981, though it could be late enough in the year to be a 1982 model. Given the era, the absence of shift lever bosses suggests a very low mid-range model. I'm also surprised to see male bottle studs.

T-Mar

The frame is not from Bianchi's prime Japanese contractor during the Piaggio era. The decals suggest circa 1982-1983. The only Bianchi I'm aware of, that used vertical dropouts during this period was the Ranndonneur but it had cantilever studs. Unless the cinch slot is notably pinched that's a very small seat post diameter for an Ishiwata tubeset. Given the Tange fork dropouts and atypical contractor, it may be Tange, as a 26.6mm post was typical for Tange #1 , #2 , #3 and #5 . The frame serial number, features and Tange suggest the manufacturer may be Tsunoda.

Insidious C. 

I just purchased this bike and I'm eager to learn what it is. Year, model, Canadian market?
Serial number CS304982.
Hubs and drive train are Golden Arrow.
Wheels/tires are 27x1-1/4"
brakes are Dia-Compe
Saddle, seatpost, bars, stem I'm sure have all been changed.
It has a kickstand mounting plate! Weighs nearly 25lbs. Rides nicely.
Seatpost diameter = 26.4mm.

Bianchigirll 

The downtube decals look like replacements to me. A kickstand plate and the weight likely points to something like a '83ish Sport SS. Mangalloy frame and fork, looks nice and clean, should be a great rider.