Hi,
I recently almost literally stumbled upon a classic steel frame set in pretty dang good condition. I fledgling mechanic, I've always been averse to carbon frames (perhaps for no good reason) and had been really excited to get a quality steel frame. I found a decent conditioned, decent looking Bianchi for a good price in my size and grabbed it up. The more I learn about it to understand what I have, it seems a) that I have something pretty special and B) There are a lot of people in the same boat who are frustratingly close to identifying their Reparto Corse. This thread seems to be the most informative of anything I can find. I'd like to get her riding again, showing her a lot of love. I think that first though, my "ocd" makes me want to know exactly what she is, and what she is supposed to be. Unfortunately all I have is the fork and the frame, no components of any sort. Fortunately, it seems like its quite a nice frame!
Thank you so much in advance. Your collective knowledge has blown me away just reading through some previous responses. Below is what i know and some photos. (as soon as I am allowed)
Thanks,
- very excited newbie
What I know:
Paint: - Celeste Frame (and Chrome Fork/Chainstays/Braze-on)
- Chrome: Chain stays, Fork Crown, Front and Rear Dropouts and Front Derailleue Braze on
Tubing: TSX Tubing. ( does this mean X4? Does it mean 1988-1991?)
Decals:- Dark Blue Bianchi with Gold outline on Down Tube
- Stickers: Columbus TSX, Made in Italy on Seat Tube above BB, Black Reparto Course Bianchi on Chainstay
- Bianchi Crest on Headtube. (Not Panto. So not X4?)
- Eduardo Bianchi Autograph on top tube
- No Bianchi Decals on Seat Tube. ( The most similar frames I find online, all have seat tube decals)
- No World Champion Decals
Bottom Bracket:- English Threaded BSA68
- Stamped with 55 (size?) and H 175 (serial number?)
- Does not have Centenario (85) emboss.
- Does have a triangle cutout in the lug on the downtime (Investment cast?)
Fork:- Unicrown Columbus EL chrome fork
- Campagnolo drop outs
Other Frame:- Curved Profile Brake Bridge, Bianchi on both sides, not script (1988-1991?)
- Internal Cable Routing ( 1988 or later?)
- B embossed on lugs on side of Bottom Bracket
- B embossed on lug where head tube and down tube meet
- 130mm chain stay distance between drop outs
- 27.2 Seat post
- 1" threaded Fork
TSX tubing
H. 175 Serial number? No 85 Centenario
Seat collar
The most similar frames I can find have a bianchi decal on the seat tube. This one does not.
Chain Stay Sticker
Not Pantographed Head badge. A sticker