mongol777

Thank you and wow - nice set!

mongol777

Thank you, T-Mar. Yes, I moved out of Toronto in 2015 so currently residing in the Trail Capital of Canada :-) I need to finalize sale of my Pacer and couple of frames to free up some funds. And I do like the color of that Sport SX.

52telecaster

lovely bike. as always, i am jealous!

9volt 

Is this the purple/pink Bianchi thread?



Mine is a little rough around the edges but after overhauling it this winter it rides great. Probably a keeper. I think it's a Squadra, it came with Ofmega parts. Missing the FD unfortunately.

I might have some extra 6207/6208 levers. PM if you need a set.

T-Mar

Yes, it looks and sounds like it may have started out as a 1986 Squadra. Serial number?

T-Mar

That's about 75 km from my in-laws. Send me PM towards the end July and I'll see if there is enough time available in the schedule to warrant a visit.

9volt 

The DS of the bottom bracket is stamped 455. NDS has 6.1

Is that the serial? Do you know what tubing would have been used on this frame? The sticker(s) are missing.

mongol777

Sounds good! I'll buy you pint - we now have local microbrewery, https://thesecondwedge.ca/

malcala622

Never knew the flickstand existed...Im afraid to remove it since they're might be tan lines so I'm leaving it as is. Just going to give it a good cleaning

Nice Squadra @9volt

T-Mar

Yes, that the serial number. I assume it's actual 6.I as Bianchi typically used an alpha-numeric code. It's definitely ltalian manufacture but could be a 1986 model or a 1987 model, as it's likely August 1986. However, there are no pink models (in the USA market) in 1987. The 1986 Squadra was available in Electric Rose and was mostly Ofmega components, so it is the best candidate. The tubeset was Bianchi Special Formula II by Columbus.

The only other pink model in 1986 was the Trofeo but it used Ofmega only for the crankset, with Campagnolo Super Record deailleurs, Gipiemme hubs and pedals, and Modolo brakes.

9volt 

Thanks for the great info. The calipers are Universal and say "Squadra". I figured that was in reference to the bike model but wasn't sure.

T-Mar

Yes, that confirms that it is a 1986 Bianchi Squadra.

malcala622

And so it begins...

malcala622

Got to to work on the Bianchi Limited. Removed the old bar tape, brake levers and cleaned up the drop bars. I realized I had a Shimano 600 stem on another build so I swapped it. I knew I wasn't near to finishing the other build so ill have to search for another stem later.

Installed the 600 brake levers but one of the hoods comes loose easily. I may have to buy a new set or wait for the swap meet to hunt one down.

RiddleOfSteel

Beautiful bike. That color is lovely, and the paint's condition! Congrats on the score! The 620X crankset with its lack of Biopace 'rings indicates, as much as I know and as much as others have pointed out, 6207 as opposed to the last-gasp 6209 ('87 being the last year, IIRC? I have an '87 as such). Those I know got the nice Shimano SLR levers with their black hood/metal lever trim ring/silver or anodized lever combo. Since yours is a touch earlier, those look right on point, even if I actually liked the all-black levers originally on it. They looked decent and are brifter-like in their comfort. I find also that I like the Super SLR brake lever era for comfort, up from SLR levers, and way up from everything that proceeded it.

T-Mar

The FC-6207 crankset was used in both 1986 & 1987 and was the last crankeset for the New 600EX group. The difference in 1987 was that there was a BioPace option, which Bianchi chose not to spec. According to my literature, there never was a FC-6209 crankset. 600 Ultegra was released in 1988, with the FC-6400 crankset, again having both round and BioPace chainrings options.

The 1987 Limited did not have SLR levers. The only 1987 group that had SLR was New 105. 1987 New 600EX still used standard levers aero levers, but they were the restyled BL-6209 aero levers, which had come out as an option in 1986. These were the first Shimano brake levers to use the trim piece that is generally associated with SLR.

RiddleOfSteel

Thank you, T-Mar, for your correction and information! I did notice that the cranks on my '87 Schwinn Super Sport were labeled 6207 and not 6209. So many shifts and micro-generations within the larger 6200-era. Has to be one of the more transformative-across-time groupsets, right up there with 7400 as far as where it started and where it ended.

malcala622

Thanks RiddleOfSteel I'm surprised myself after the cleanup how great the paint is on this bike. Im excited its in my collection.

Thanks to @Falcon3 he sent me a non drive side dust cap. It bugged me that it was missing.

Today its off to my LBS for bar tape and cable install. I'm simply going with black everything. Less hassle for cleanup and I think it'll look great regardless.

ryansu

Based on the some of the entry level "stuff" in need of a complete overhaul that people ask for $140 and more around here (Seattle) that Bianchi for $140 was a Steal of a deal. Bravo!

malcala622

You mean Steel of a Deal?

malcala622

Shes complete!!!

malcala622

I figured I'd update this thread with an addition to the stable. These always pop up for sale in my local area when I'm not looking to buy. But I can't pass them up as they get difficult to find.

Without further adieu. I came across this Bianchi Limited in size 47cm (18.5") for the wife. Got it for 180 compared to my 55cm for $140.

Needs a cleanup, brake lever swap for drilled shimano 600, new bar tape and cables.

Here it is

danmyersmn

I like it. Black vinyl tape from the end of the bar tape to the stem?

malcala622

I haven't touched the bicycle since I picked it up earlier today. In a week or two ill start to fix it up.

John E

1. For a 1980s Bianchi, bottom bracket threading is the easiest way to distinguish Japanese from Italian manufacture.

2. Who said they wouldn't touch a non-celeste Bianchi? Mine is a rare metallic "charcoal" color, which my artist wife refers to as "Ralph Lauren brown."