New Project - 80's Bianchi Made in Japan
08-08-18, 08:28 AM
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New Project - 80's Bianchi Made in Japan
Hey everyone,
I'm Justin. I was a member here years ago while working at a bike shop in college. I got bored of my bike I guess and rode less and less. Wasn't in the market for something new whatsoever (I was actually just about to sell my current Fuji), but a few days ago saw this Bianchi on Craigslist and couldn't pass it up!
Purchased from original owner - has been sitting in a windowless basement for several years. There was tons of dust on it so I wasn't really sure of the condition. To put it in perspective, the bar tape is originally black! lol. Lucky for me its beautiful after a quick cleaning with no signs of rust or corrosion.
Notable details below;
58cm 1982 Bianchi Limited Made in Japan
Dark wine/burgundy color (always wanted a bike this color)
Ishwata 022 Chromo tubing
Sakae custom bars
SR stem
Suntour cyclone II components
Dia Comp brakes
SR laprage seat post
SR stem
NJS Jaguar II seat
Araya 700c wheels
Suzue hubs
Original owners manual
Below are pictures from when I first purchased it and preview after a bubble bath. I know its not made in Italy and full of Campagnolo parts but it'll be one beautiful ride when finished!
I'm Justin. I was a member here years ago while working at a bike shop in college. I got bored of my bike I guess and rode less and less. Wasn't in the market for something new whatsoever (I was actually just about to sell my current Fuji), but a few days ago saw this Bianchi on Craigslist and couldn't pass it up!
Purchased from original owner - has been sitting in a windowless basement for several years. There was tons of dust on it so I wasn't really sure of the condition. To put it in perspective, the bar tape is originally black! lol. Lucky for me its beautiful after a quick cleaning with no signs of rust or corrosion.
Notable details below;
58cm 1982 Bianchi Limited Made in Japan
Dark wine/burgundy color (always wanted a bike this color)
Ishwata 022 Chromo tubing
Sakae custom bars
SR stem
Suntour cyclone II components
Dia Comp brakes
SR laprage seat post
SR stem
NJS Jaguar II seat
Araya 700c wheels
Suzue hubs
Original owners manual
Below are pictures from when I first purchased it and preview after a bubble bath. I know its not made in Italy and full of Campagnolo parts but it'll be one beautiful ride when finished!
Last edited by jwolfe; 08-08-18 at 09:28 PM.
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08-08-18, 08:33 AM
#2
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I've been waiting days to post so I actually already have an update! Here she is all cleaned and partially stripped down. Thus far I cleaned the frame (still need to do a second cleaning/polishing) & swapped my Nitto B123 bars from my Fuji.
Last edited by jwolfe; 08-08-18 at 09:01 AM.
08-08-18, 09:46 AM
#3
Steel80's
That's a nice bike, great find! I don't think that's a 56cm, though. Looks more like a 60cm.
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08-08-18, 10:25 AM
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Very nice!
08-08-18, 10:29 AM
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Already so much nicer than when it started! Can't wait to see it finished. Nice work!
08-08-18, 11:11 AM
#7
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I lovely the burgundy colour as well. Will you keep the fenders with the bike? Interested to read what you think of the Jaguar saddle. I got one from a Nishiki that seems nice.
08-08-18, 12:19 PM
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Fenders and most of the other extras will be gone. I am a fan of minimal design and will most likely convert to single speed as that suites my riding style in the city. The seat is nice quality, I'm a sucker for suede. I would keep if it were black.
08-08-18, 12:22 PM
#10
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I remember those. Sold for about $500 IIRC. Competed with the Univega Gran Premio, more or less. It was nice enough you could throw sew ups on it and race it if you were on a budget.
08-08-18, 06:09 PM
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really cool deep red/burgundy color.
are those track bars?...unique addition, but if its comfortable then rock em.
I am far from an expert on identifying model years on general bikes, but i would be surprised to hear this is for sure an '86. I would have guessed earlier based on the crankset and DiaCompe G brakes. The G brakes are a surprise regardless of model year as i would figure something higher up in their lineup would be on the bike based on the tubing selection. But hey- these were all spec'd to meet price points so seeing the mix of components on each bike is part of the fun!
are those track bars?...unique addition, but if its comfortable then rock em.
I am far from an expert on identifying model years on general bikes, but i would be surprised to hear this is for sure an '86. I would have guessed earlier based on the crankset and DiaCompe G brakes. The G brakes are a surprise regardless of model year as i would figure something higher up in their lineup would be on the bike based on the tubing selection. But hey- these were all spec'd to meet price points so seeing the mix of components on each bike is part of the fun!
08-08-18, 06:10 PM
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08-08-18, 07:48 PM
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Certainly not 1986. Above bottom bracket cable routing. Another clue is the Piaggio group sticker, which got deleted at some point.
I used to assemble and sell these, so I should remember, but it's been a long time. I think it's 1983, +/- 1 year.
I used to assemble and sell these, so I should remember, but it's been a long time. I think it's 1983, +/- 1 year.
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08-08-18, 08:52 PM
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I am far from an expert on identifying model years on general bikes, but i would be surprised to hear this is for sure an '86. I would have guessed earlier based on the crankset and DiaCompe G brakes. The G brakes are a surprise regardless of model year as i would figure something higher up in their lineup would be on the bike based on the tubing selection. But hey- these were all spec'd to meet price points so seeing the mix of components on each bike is part of the fun!
Last edited by jwolfe; 08-08-18 at 09:03 PM.
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08-08-18, 09:25 PM
#16
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These bikes were kind of nice in that the frames kind of were top shelf, but they were spec'd with budget but decent parts to keep the cost down. Frames were full Ishiwata 022 double butted, which IMO was as good as anything at the time.
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08-08-18, 09:40 PM
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Beauty! I look forward to seeing your finished build.
08-08-18, 09:51 PM
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Sure thing. I'm going to revise my estimate to '82, which was my first thought. Then I found this page. Check it out. I think my first thought was right.
These bikes were kind of nice in that the frames kind of were top shelf, but they were spec'd with budget but decent parts to keep the cost down. Frames were full Ishiwata 022 double butted, which IMO was as good as anything at the time.
These bikes were kind of nice in that the frames kind of were top shelf, but they were spec'd with budget but decent parts to keep the cost down. Frames were full Ishiwata 022 double butted, which IMO was as good as anything at the time.
08-11-18, 04:52 AM
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And a few years later you could get that frame with Campy dropouts, no eyelets and Suntour Sprint 6 speed indexed. Also weigh in at about 21 lbs. All business.
That's a great bike.
That's a great bike.
08-11-18, 08:08 PM
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I'm currently in LA for work and managed to find a local deal while out here!
Campagnolo crankset for $50!
Campagnolo crankset for $50!
Last edited by jwolfe; 08-11-18 at 08:21 PM.
08-18-18, 08:39 PM
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Finally got a weekend to install some new parts! Campagnolo Strada put on and looking good after a clean. New bar tape and front brake installed. Lastly managed to snag a old Sella Italia Bianchi suede saddle from a fellow member
.
.
01-24-22, 07:45 PM
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love the condition its in ! I'd like to know HOW you know it was a 1986 model ? Can you share the serial number under the bottom bracket ? My 022 frame / fork Bianchi - Professional is estimated by Andrew Muzi of Yellow Jersey bike shop fame, to be from 1984. My serial number is 2 letters followed by 6 numbers, I can not find ANY references on the internet anywhere.