Servicing an '80s Bianchi Virata
02-15-21, 05:02 PM
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Servicing an '80s Bianchi Virata
Hey all. Doing this for a guy on CL who decided to keep his bike, and I don't blame him.
EDIT: This bike belongs to blueskysound, so any questions or comments can be addressed to him. Thanks for all your help.
The issue is with the odd bottom bracket. Has anyone ever seen this? Can you take it apart to service it?
EDIT: This bike belongs to blueskysound, so any questions or comments can be addressed to him. Thanks for all your help.
The issue is with the odd bottom bracket. Has anyone ever seen this? Can you take it apart to service it?
Last edited by Korina; 02-16-21 at 01:00 AM.
02-15-21, 06:12 PM
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Where are the cups? You should be able to tap the bearings off the spindle and get replacements at your local bearing shop.
that is a ‘91 and originally came with 600 8spd (downtube shifters) including crank and BB. What crank is on it now?
that is a ‘91 and originally came with 600 8spd (downtube shifters) including crank and BB. What crank is on it now?
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
02-15-21, 06:25 PM
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Looks like a pre-cartridge cartridge...don’t recognize it at all.
reminds me of a Miche...
reminds me of a Miche...
02-15-21, 08:39 PM
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Here’s the crank. I put a lot of time and effort into this. It was rained outside for years. I have a lot of respect for bike shops that fix up a bike for $150 now, that’s basically parts cost. Dealing with rust alone could be time consuming even in a shop. I’m learning as I go. Thanks for your help all! I got a tiny amount of grit from inside the axles in the wheel bearings so I have to redo the new wheel bearings again. Then then I’ll clean up the derailer. I already ran all new cables and housing. Then onto adjustments and new bar wraps. Those bearings used for turning the bike are also probably dirty. I want to touch up the Celeste paint too. The bike fits me. I just loved the look and color and wanted to spare it from the scrap yard. Now I’m learning all about bikes beyond the basics.
02-16-21, 12:21 AM
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Here’s the crank. I put a lot of time and effort into this. It was rained outside for years. I have a lot of respect for bike shops that fix up a bike for $150 now, that’s basically parts cost. Dealing with rust alone could be time consuming even in a shop. I’m learning as I go. Thanks for your help all! I got a tiny amount of grit from inside the axles in the wheel bearings so I have to redo the new wheel bearings again. Then then I’ll clean up the derailer. I already ran all new cables and housing. Then onto adjustments and new bar wraps. Those bearings used for turning the bike are also probably dirty. I want to touch up the Celeste paint too. The bike fits me. I just loved the look and color and wanted to spare it from the scrap yard. Now I’m learning all about bikes beyond the basics.
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02-16-21, 01:07 AM
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03-04-21, 10:11 PM
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Done overhauling
Well I finished cleaning out the spindle bearings the best I could, greased it and put it all back together. I adjusted the new cables and took a ride. I love it! I was asked to get rid of a pile of rusty bikes and I decided to overhaul this one cause it resonated with me. The style and Celeste color and seemed to be a classic. It feels as good as new and those STI shifters and brakes work great.
