ScottGalloway

Hi, I recently purchased an old bike for £75 and out of curiosity I'm trying to identify what model it is.

The past owner resprayed the bike pink and put newer stickers on it. And I just planed on using it as a run around. But I'm now considering wether it's worth getting it resprayed or not. The pain is in pretty bad shape.

I managed to strip it down and cleaning everything except the headset cups as I don't have a took to pop them out.

Everything on it is original. All that didn't survive was the toe straps which pretty much disintegrated on sight.

The wheelset is tubular. No marking on the rims but with campag hubs.

Serial number on the headtube is 8123555. Has a 'B' where the rear seat stay joins the seat tube. Bianchi dropouts and bianchi written on the top of the fork crown. Bianchi suede saddle. Gipeimme dual sprint Cranks and a campag neuvo record derailleur. Campag breaks and levers. Alpino toe cages.

For some reason it comes up saying I can't 'post URL links' if I try and attach photos to the thread.

TugaDude

First, on the photos, until you have 10 posts you cannot post pictures directly to the site. This is to control spammers. The way to get around it is to post them to a hosting site and then post the URL here.

Regarding whether the bike is worth it, I would argue if you mean for financial reasons as an investment, no. However, if you enjoy how it rides and it fits you and you want to restore it to its former glory, then sure, why not?

The cost of a quality paint job and decals will, in my opinion, outweigh the value of the bike. When people choose to invest in bikes they go for original paint first. Repaints are not original and therefore, not as sought after.

These are my thoughts, others may have different ideas.

I'm sure it is a great bike. Vintage Bianchis of the higher level were awesome machines.

There is a member here, Bianchigirll, that can help with nailing down the model and year, given some more detailed info.

Good luck!

T-Mar

Link to OP's photo gallery: https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/518142

The serial number isn't quite was I was expecting. I'm not sure if it was misread or stamped incorrectly. While the component mix isn't correct for a 748, it does appear to be no lower a model and circa 1978-1979. What is the seat post diameter? Also, while it's almost certainly not completely OEM, what is the patent date on the rear derailleur and the date codes on the back of the hubs' locknuts?

ScottGalloway

Hi, thanks so much for your help. That is definitely what is stamped on the headtube. 8123555.

The patent date on the derailleur is 'Patent 73' and the seatpost diameter is 27.

I haven't managed to get the cassette off yet as it has a different locknut compared to what I'm used to. But says 'CYCOLO BREVETTESGOG MADE IN FRANCE' on the lockring.

Would love to know what model and year the bike is. Was super surprised to find cage bearings in both the headset and bottom bracket since it's so old. And the fact that everything has either a bianchi or campagnolo stamp/engraving on it. Even the tiniest of things.

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T-Mar

A 27.0mm post is indicative of a higher end model with Columbus SP. I would expected Columbus SL on that small a frame. SL typically uses a 27.2mm post, so I wonder if the post is slightly undersize? The post size is too large for a 748 or even a Campione del Mondo. That leaves a Super Leggera or a Specialissima. Both used the same frame, just a different component mix, though some Specialissima of this era are seen with drilled dropouts and BB cutouts. The rear derailleur is obviously a replacement. A PATENT 73 is too early. A 1973 -1974 frameset would not have shift lever braze-ons or the short dropouts. I believe the entire bicycle was pieced together. Caged bearings were typical for Campagnolo headsets and bottom brackets of the era, even going back into the 1960s. You should have a freewheel, as opposed to a cassette and will required a dedicated removal tool.

Bianchigirll 

Interesting color. It reminds me of the icing on animal crackers or a brand a spice cookie my Mother used to buy

T-Mar

I'm pretty sure the colour is homage to the Maglia Rosa. Bianchi -> Italian bicycle -> Giro d'Italia -> Maglia Rosa