6Speed

Hi, I just picked up a bianchi limited frame and fork and I am looking to build it up. I'm reading some of the threads posted here in the past, and it appears that these came with Shimano 600ex groupset? I see a few listed on the bay, but I have no idea what is a good deal.

I am not a stickler for it being perfectly rebuilt with original parts, so if there is another groupset that you'd recommend, please share.

Bianchigirll 

Which Limited frame do you have? Yes they generally came with 600 of some type up to 7 speed. The name changed to Virata in '90 and that got 8 speed.

T-Mar

The Bianchi Limited was:

1982: SunTour Cyclone Mk II/SR/Dia-Compe
1983-1984: SunTour Cyclone Mk II/Takagi/Dia-Compe
1985: Shimano New 600EX (friction)
1986-1987: Shimano New 600EX (SIS - indexed)
1988-1989: Shimano 600 Ultegra

The serial number will us the exact manufacturing date and which spec is appropriate.

two_wrenches

SR/Takagi is it a seat post or stem?

T-Mar

In my previous post, for simplification, I only mentioned brands for the major components (i.e derailleurs, crankset and brakes). In this case, SR and Takagi refers to the brand of crankset for the respective years.

two_wrenches

Thank you, that puts the one I am researching now between 83 and 84.

T-Mar

The biggest difference between the 1983 and 1984 was that the latter introduced Superset tubing, with a heavier gauge down tube and chain stays., to stiffen the bottom bracket region. Given that 35 year old bicycles are rarely stock and the ready availability of replacement decals, the most reliable method for confirming the model year is the serial number. Of course, there is a grey transition period, which varied slightly from year to year.

DMC707

Were it mine, --- i'd look for a donor bike with a complete late 80's /early 90's Shimano 600 tri color build kit

two_wrenches

My Bianchi Limited SN number is CS302715 any pointers where to keep looking for cross reference? It has Ishiwata 022, Peugeot and Bianchi stickers at the same time.

T-Mar

You have a 1983 model, manufactured in Japan, during March.

two_wrenches

Thank you so much!

6Speed

mine is stamped 14231 on one side of the BB, and the other side has a D 6

Any ideas on that?

T-Mar

That would be a 1986 model. It should be Formula II tubing and have a black or violet finish, provided it's a USA market model.

6Speed

Thanks! Curiously this one is celeste in color. It doesn't appear to be repainted but I'll give it another close look tonight when I get home. Any way to determine which model it is?

T-Mar

Based on your initial post, the members were on the understanding that it was a Limited. In 1986, Bianchi USA offered three Formula II models (and one tretubi Formula II model). These would have have had identically configured frames, with the only difference being colour. The only one of these models catalogued in celeste was the Nuovo Alloro. To prevent going in circles, you should post pictures.

6Speed

Hi, thanks for your response. Here are the pics. The seller mentioned Limited in their ad, but there's no sticker indicating such that I see on frame, and the color options mentioned in previous post, for US models, had me thrown off a bit. Let me know what you think, and thank you for your help!

T-Mar

I don't think that this is a repaint. The decal complement and frame features are consistent with 1986. Given your location, the odds favour a Nuovo Alloro but that's bit of a moot point as it and the Limited were identical, except for colour.

Deadhead72

Looks great.

3alarmer 

...
...here's a Nuovo Alloro built up with enough Shimano parts to index well, and Campagnolo brakes and crank. It works well. Three main tubes frame.