Bianchi Serial Number Identification
02-07-22, 08:28 AM
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02-07-22, 09:15 AM
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02-07-22, 09:45 AM
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I use it somewhat out of context or maybe incorrectly. In the gun world, especially military arms, it was used to to refer to a marking made in a stock or other part by a quality inspector. I use it to refer to frame embellishments on stay caps forks and other places.
Sadly without these many many quality frames go unknown and unloved
Sadly without these many many quality frames go unknown and unloved
While the paint may have been factory applied, the colour may have chosen by the local importer/distributor. Colours often vary from market to market, based on local preferences. A classic example of this is the influence of the Miami Vice televison show on USA fashion trends in the late 1980s. It's palette of pastel colours such as pale pink, teal, peach and fushia spilled over into the bicycle industry, gving us bicycle frames in these colours. Bianchi even relented to offering a more muted version of their classic Celeste, called Mint Celeste. However, this trend was far less evident in foreign markets where the show was not televised.
In some rare cases, importers/distributors even had the painting done by themselves or local contractors. This could happen if the importer/distributor was unsatisfied with the workmanship of factory painting, such as case with Ten Speed Drive in the USA and some of it's Italian manufacturers. Also, performing more operations locally could lower import duties, to the extent that some performed their own component installtion and even frame painting.
In some rare cases, importers/distributors even had the painting done by themselves or local contractors. This could happen if the importer/distributor was unsatisfied with the workmanship of factory painting, such as case with Ten Speed Drive in the USA and some of it's Italian manufacturers. Also, performing more operations locally could lower import duties, to the extent that some performed their own component installtion and even frame painting.
02-07-22, 12:36 PM
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The only photo currently in EvanAL's galley is a BB pic (attached). It shows what is appears to be a Superset 2 shell. That, in conjunction with Columbus EL, puts it no earlier than a 1991 model year. Upper end, based on the 1" steerer tube would be circa 1996. Pending additonal photos it it be interersting to know if the the frame has the Campione Del Mondo decal, threaded or non-threaded steerer tube and Bianchi's hybrid half lug/TIG welded SuperLug construction (attached). All these will help to narrow down the range, somewhat.
02-07-22, 09:31 PM
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I have a Bianchi Sport SS. Made in Japan, Ishiwata Magny tubing, Shimano Golden Arrow group. Has Piaggio decals. S/N = CS305127. I believe it’s a 1983 model, though I have seen some references that indicate it could be a 1984 serial number. Appears all original other than the tires. I haven’t been able to find out much about the Sport SS model, but it sure rides nicely! Hopefully this adds another Bianchi serial number datapoint to the list.
02-07-22, 09:35 PM
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Album
Ok. I cant even post a link yet so I guess someone would have to look at my album the old fashioned way.
I do have a campione del monde sticker.
I do have a campione del monde sticker.
02-08-22, 06:13 AM
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I have a Bianchi Sport SS. Made in Japan, Ishiwata Magny tubing, Shimano Golden Arrow group. Has Piaggio decals. S/N = CS305127. I believe it’s a 1983 model, though I have seen some references that indicate it could be a 1984 serial number. Appears all original other than the tires. I haven’t been able to find out much about the Sport SS model, but it sure rides nicely! Hopefully this adds another Bianchi serial number datapoint to the list.
02-08-22, 07:23 AM
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However, things get complicated after that. There were no Columbus EL ATBs catalogued in 1994, at least in the USA. In 1995 and 1996 there was the Grizzly RC and Denali RC but both used suspsension forks and threadless headsets. However, the frames themselves are an excellent match, outside of the fact that they weren't catalogued in the Martini livery, at least in the USA. However, Martini was sponsoring Bianchi riders at leastas early as 1995, so both 1995 and 1996 are possibilities.
So, it would appear to be a a top of the line hardtail model from Reparto Corse, circa 1995-1996, though likely a European model and possibly with a replacement fork and some replacement components.
02-08-22, 08:17 AM
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Thanks T-Mar for confirming that my Bianchi is, in fact, a 1983 model. I had always thought that was the case, but wasn't 100% sure.
02-09-22, 12:46 PM
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I noticed that on many photos Bianchis have the "front logo" as a sticker, or what you'd call it, while there is sometimes instead a plaque. Maybe this can help in the narrowing of years, models or variants. /added mine as an example to album/
EDIT oh yes, and thanks for your input T-Mar!
EDIT oh yes, and thanks for your input T-Mar!
Last edited by darkG; 02-09-22 at 01:05 PM.
02-11-22, 08:05 AM
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Close
Well it sounds like 95-96 then. T-Mar makes good arguments for it!
Thanks all!
I am surprised it is so recent as I recall shopping for my C'Dale in 1997 and 1 1/8" threadless forks were ubiquitous as were Judy SLs.
Thanks all!
I am surprised it is so recent as I recall shopping for my C'Dale in 1997 and 1 1/8" threadless forks were ubiquitous as were Judy SLs.
02-27-22, 01:54 PM
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what am i looking at?
Edit - I put in a full price offer as soon as I saw this - got no reply, then marked sold @ $150
Last edited by SoCaled; 02-27-22 at 02:36 PM.
02-27-22, 02:43 PM
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Nice machine. 1986 Brava in Rubino Red.
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03-06-22, 06:07 PM
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Early 80's Bianchi's keep following me home.
I bought this one for the seat post, but it looks like a pretty nice frame so I'm trying to get some additional information on it.
It has:
27.2 seatpost
Campy dropouts
weighs ~4.8 lbs for the 57cm frame.
It also has longer lugs than my '82 that also looked like they've been thinned.
The date stamp on the the seat lug is 2.M. I think this means it's a late '82 build.
Any thoughts on which model? And is my inte4rpretation of the year correct?
Mike
I bought this one for the seat post, but it looks like a pretty nice frame so I'm trying to get some additional information on it.
It has:
27.2 seatpost
Campy dropouts
weighs ~4.8 lbs for the 57cm frame.
It also has longer lugs than my '82 that also looked like they've been thinned.
The date stamp on the the seat lug is 2.M. I think this means it's a late '82 build.
Any thoughts on which model? And is my inte4rpretation of the year correct?
Mike
03-07-22, 01:22 PM
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Early 80's Bianchi's keep following me home.
I bought this one for the seat post, but it looks like a pretty nice frame so I'm trying to get some additional information on it.
It has:
27.2 seatpost
Campy dropouts
weighs ~4.8 lbs for the 57cm frame.
It also has longer lugs than my '82 that also looked like they've been thinned.
The date stamp on the the seat lug is 2.M. I think this means it's a late '82 build.
Any thoughts on which model? And is my inte4rpretation of the year correct?
Mike
I bought this one for the seat post, but it looks like a pretty nice frame so I'm trying to get some additional information on it.
It has:
27.2 seatpost
Campy dropouts
weighs ~4.8 lbs for the 57cm frame.
It also has longer lugs than my '82 that also looked like they've been thinned.
The date stamp on the the seat lug is 2.M. I think this means it's a late '82 build.
Any thoughts on which model? And is my inte4rpretation of the year correct?
Mike
03-07-22, 01:30 PM
#1666
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@T-Mar thanks. The headset was a newer Campy headset, but the Bottom bracket was an Ofmega (Again, frankenbike so I figured it wasn't original). I do think the pantagraphed NR seat post is from the original bike. But no way to tell for sure. Does this help narrow it down.
03-07-22, 01:52 PM
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@T-Mar thanks. The headset was a newer Campy headset, but the Bottom bracket was an Ofmega (Again, frankenbike so I figured it wasn't original). I do think the pantagraphed NR seat post is from the original bike. But no way to tell for sure. Does this help narrow it down.
However, the good news is that since all three used the same frameset, you've got the flexibility to build it up three ways and three model names to choose from. The Tipo Corsa was Nuovo Record, the Campione del Mondo was Gran Sport and the Campion d'Italia was Nuovo Record derailleurs, Ofmega CX crankset and Modolo Speedy brakeset.
03-07-22, 02:12 PM
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@T-Mar thanks. It sounds like it most likely was the Campione d'Italia based on the bottom bracket, but we will never know for sure. Hopefully these beat up early 80's Bianchi's stop following me home.
03-07-22, 02:25 PM
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@T-Mar thanks. It sounds like it most likely was the Campione d'Italia based on the bottom bracket, but we will never know for sure. Hopefully these beat up early 80's Bianchi's stop following me home.
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03-07-22, 02:27 PM
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03-22-22, 04:33 PM
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I'm working on a ratbagged blue Sport, I believe it's a mid-80's model from Japan with Tange tubing. Serial number is located on the seat tube: BS606457. Any ideas?
03-23-22, 07:47 AM
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03-26-22, 08:54 PM
#1674
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modified 1960's bianchi
Hi all, this is one amazing thread!
I just acquired a touring bike from a keen older cyclist who raced and toured in europe back in the day.
He didn't say much about it other than the places it took him..many.
I was intrigued when he told me it was a Bianchi with Columbus tubing, but it does have Campagnolo dropouts and fork ends, and I recognised the seat stays.
Without doing too much research I think its possibly 1960's? It has had a few transformations by the look of it.
Any help much appreciated.
Serial number on the seat collarreads: #083150 and it has a #12 on the bottom bracket.
Scraping paint reveals chrome lugwork and fork crown.
sorry can't post photos yet (-10)
I just acquired a touring bike from a keen older cyclist who raced and toured in europe back in the day.
He didn't say much about it other than the places it took him..many.
I was intrigued when he told me it was a Bianchi with Columbus tubing, but it does have Campagnolo dropouts and fork ends, and I recognised the seat stays.
Without doing too much research I think its possibly 1960's? It has had a few transformations by the look of it.
Any help much appreciated.
Serial number on the seat collarreads: #083150 and it has a #12 on the bottom bracket.
Scraping paint reveals chrome lugwork and fork crown.
sorry can't post photos yet (-10)
Likes For tsep:
03-29-22, 02:49 AM
#1675
Junior Member
Hi all, this is one amazing thread!
I just acquired a touring bike from a keen older cyclist who raced and toured in europe back in the day.
He didn't say much about it other than the places it took him..many.
I was intrigued when he told me it was a Bianchi with Columbus tubing, but it does have Campagnolo dropouts and fork ends, and I recognised the seat stays.
Without doing too much research I think its possibly 1960's? It has had a few transformations by the look of it.
Any help much appreciated.
Serial number on the seat collarreads: #083150 and it has a #12 on the bottom bracket.
Scraping paint reveals chrome lugwork and fork crown.
sorry can't post photos yet (-10)
I just acquired a touring bike from a keen older cyclist who raced and toured in europe back in the day.
He didn't say much about it other than the places it took him..many.
I was intrigued when he told me it was a Bianchi with Columbus tubing, but it does have Campagnolo dropouts and fork ends, and I recognised the seat stays.
Without doing too much research I think its possibly 1960's? It has had a few transformations by the look of it.
Any help much appreciated.
Serial number on the seat collarreads: #083150 and it has a #12 on the bottom bracket.
Scraping paint reveals chrome lugwork and fork crown.
sorry can't post photos yet (-10)
The frame is made to take an integrated headset and has a 70mm bottom bracket, and a 27.2 seatpost. any help?