1980's (89?) Bianchi Limited Celeste
11-02-18, 10:08 AM
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1980's (89?) Bianchi Limited Celeste
Been thinking about picking up a celeste Bianchi for awhile now, but after seeing about 30 of them when I was in Zurich the past week, I've pretty much set my mind on it. Came across this one and based off the pictures, it looks to be a 1989/90 model, but I can't find the catalog for 89 and the scans of the 90 catalog are too low res to tell anything.
Seller's asking for $400 which I feel is a lot more than a Japanese built Bianchi is worth (in terms of collectability. I do strongly believe that 80's Japanese built bikes are on par if not better built than their Italian counterparts) Seller says he's the second owner and it's been stored indoors for the last 10 years, never ridden. Looks to be full Shimano 600 Tri-Color(?), Ishiwata 019 or 022 tubing. It's my size, and a small one at that, which I hear isn't as common as the larger sizes, especially in the US.
Any thoughts?
Pictures: Imgur: /a/4abmRxk
Seller's asking for $400 which I feel is a lot more than a Japanese built Bianchi is worth (in terms of collectability. I do strongly believe that 80's Japanese built bikes are on par if not better built than their Italian counterparts) Seller says he's the second owner and it's been stored indoors for the last 10 years, never ridden. Looks to be full Shimano 600 Tri-Color(?), Ishiwata 019 or 022 tubing. It's my size, and a small one at that, which I hear isn't as common as the larger sizes, especially in the US.
Any thoughts?
Pictures: Imgur: /a/4abmRxk
11-02-18, 10:17 AM
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Send me your pictures
Last edited by malcala622; 11-02-18 at 10:37 AM.
11-02-18, 10:41 AM
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Its definitely going to need a complete teardown, clean, lube and tune. I paid $140 for my metallic purple Limited 2 years ago but then again it was a lucky find. I'd pay no more than 250 for this one. Seller may not drop that low but seeing its condition it wasnt stored properly.
11-03-18, 03:38 AM
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400$ would be on the very outer edge of fair right now-- if the bike were clean and ready to ride. There's a premium on Celeste, but it isn't that high.
The problem here is a fairish price is about half what is being asked. When you're offering 50% of what a seller is asking, it gets dubious you'll have a sale.
Unless the LA market is severely overheated, I would pass. IME, you ought be able to find an Italian Bianchi in celeste-- a mid range one, but still-- at around 400$.
The problem here is a fairish price is about half what is being asked. When you're offering 50% of what a seller is asking, it gets dubious you'll have a sale.
Unless the LA market is severely overheated, I would pass. IME, you ought be able to find an Italian Bianchi in celeste-- a mid range one, but still-- at around 400$.
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11-03-18, 05:17 AM
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Located in PA actually, and I agree that $400 is too much for sure. Regarding getting an Italian made Bianchi, I’m not a collector so that’s not the biggest priority. I do think the Japanese ones very much hold their own. Based off the images and what Malcala was saying I definitely think the internals all need to be checked thoroughly which adds time and cost on my end. Sellers I’ve encountered where I live all seem nice and extremely generous so hopefully this guys on that end of the spectrum. I’ll update next week!
11-03-18, 03:24 PM
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If you're in PA and close to Allentown, look into the Trexlertown Swap at the Velodrome.
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11-03-18, 10:19 PM
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...the Limited was a good frame from Japan with a very functional if not spendy components package.
Having said that, here in NorCal (which is supposed to be a pricey marketplace) there are some pretty nice bikes that will require about the same amount of work as that one, in the $400-600 range.
That one does have about as much celeste as you can pile on a bike, which if you're looking for that sort of thing will probably save you money in the long run.
But around here, 400 bucks is right now right at the entry level price for a step up. There's a Rossin down in the bay area that I am heroically resisting right now at about that price. It's not celeste, and it's not a Bianchi, but it's another level up from the bike you're looking at. Not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing, but at least around here it's a buyers marketplace right now.
OTOH, if it's the color you want, and your size, quibbling about a hundred bucks or so on price is silly.
Having said that, here in NorCal (which is supposed to be a pricey marketplace) there are some pretty nice bikes that will require about the same amount of work as that one, in the $400-600 range.
That one does have about as much celeste as you can pile on a bike, which if you're looking for that sort of thing will probably save you money in the long run.
But around here, 400 bucks is right now right at the entry level price for a step up. There's a Rossin down in the bay area that I am heroically resisting right now at about that price. It's not celeste, and it's not a Bianchi, but it's another level up from the bike you're looking at. Not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing, but at least around here it's a buyers marketplace right now.
OTOH, if it's the color you want, and your size, quibbling about a hundred bucks or so on price is silly.
11-03-18, 10:40 PM
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That bike was hardly ever ridden; the anodize on the rims is hardly scored and the (big) chain ring shows no wear. It's got some storage rot but much of that can be removed through careful detailing. Maybe I'm biased because prices are so high in my area but I'd say if you can get that bike for $300 you would be doing fine.
11-04-18, 02:29 PM
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...the Limited was a good frame from Japan with a very functional if not spendy components package.
Having said that, here in NorCal (which is supposed to be a pricey marketplace) there are some pretty nice bikes that will require about the same amount of work as that one, in the $400-600 range.
That one does have about as much celeste as you can pile on a bike, which if you're looking for that sort of thing will probably save you money in the long run.
But around here, 400 bucks is right now right at the entry level price for a step up. There's a Rossin down in the bay area that I am heroically resisting right now at about that price. It's not celeste, and it's not a Bianchi, but it's another level up from the bike you're looking at. Not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing, but at least around here it's a buyers marketplace right now.
OTOH, if it's the color you want, and your size, quibbling about a hundred bucks or so on price is silly.
Having said that, here in NorCal (which is supposed to be a pricey marketplace) there are some pretty nice bikes that will require about the same amount of work as that one, in the $400-600 range.
That one does have about as much celeste as you can pile on a bike, which if you're looking for that sort of thing will probably save you money in the long run.
But around here, 400 bucks is right now right at the entry level price for a step up. There's a Rossin down in the bay area that I am heroically resisting right now at about that price. It's not celeste, and it's not a Bianchi, but it's another level up from the bike you're looking at. Not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing, but at least around here it's a buyers marketplace right now.
OTOH, if it's the color you want, and your size, quibbling about a hundred bucks or so on price is silly.
11-04-18, 07:25 PM
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...the Limited was a good frame from Japan with a very functional if not spendy components package.
Having said that, here in NorCal (which is supposed to be a pricey marketplace) there are some pretty nice bikes that will require about the same amount of work as that one, in the $400-600 range.
That one does have about as much celeste as you can pile on a bike, which if you're looking for that sort of thing will probably save you money in the long run.
But around here, 400 bucks is right now right at the entry level price for a step up. There's a Rossin down in the bay area that I am heroically resisting right now at about that price. It's not celeste, and it's not a Bianchi, but it's another level up from the bike you're looking at. Not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing, but at least around here it's a buyers marketplace right now.
OTOH, if it's the color you want, and your size, quibbling about a hundred bucks or so on price is silly.
Having said that, here in NorCal (which is supposed to be a pricey marketplace) there are some pretty nice bikes that will require about the same amount of work as that one, in the $400-600 range.
That one does have about as much celeste as you can pile on a bike, which if you're looking for that sort of thing will probably save you money in the long run.
But around here, 400 bucks is right now right at the entry level price for a step up. There's a Rossin down in the bay area that I am heroically resisting right now at about that price. It's not celeste, and it's not a Bianchi, but it's another level up from the bike you're looking at. Not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing, but at least around here it's a buyers marketplace right now.
OTOH, if it's the color you want, and your size, quibbling about a hundred bucks or so on price is silly.
Looking a little further out, some guy is selling the same 89 Limited that he turned into a fixie (which I don’t know much about how steel would handle bending the rear to accommodate a fixed gear, and then bending back to fit a cassette) for $150, in the same size. The 89 campione d’italia I saw going for $400 with a pretty wild mishmash of parts (campy, Shimano, Suntour) does have the really nice flattened top forks which my frame (and I think most Japanese built frames) don’t have.
I obviously can’t see what’s been sold so I don’t have any knowledge of that, and looking at Craigslist, prices do seem to be more in the 4-600 range, but seeing the prices on Facebook do make me question spending close to $400 on the Limited.
I’ll try to do a little more research and thanks for the responses guys, all really helpful!
11-05-18, 06:35 AM
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The decal scheme is 1988-1989 but the lack of CdM decal has me leaning towards 1989, The serial number should tell us the exact frame manufacture date. The frame is Ishiwata tubing in Bianchi's Superset configuration, so it's Ishiwata 022 with heavier gauge Ishiwata 024 in the down tube and chain stays, to stiffen the bottom bracket junction.
Sub 50cm frames are both hard to find and sell. They can warrant a premium but $400 is really high for one on this condition, especially at this time of year when the PA market should be softening. If it's a new posting and you're willing to take the chance, it will probably sit until spring, so you may want to approach the selling with an lower offer in about a month. If it hasn't sold then, many people are looking for a little extra cash flow with Christmas approaching and he may be willing to lower his price.
Sub 50cm frames are both hard to find and sell. They can warrant a premium but $400 is really high for one on this condition, especially at this time of year when the PA market should be softening. If it's a new posting and you're willing to take the chance, it will probably sit until spring, so you may want to approach the selling with an lower offer in about a month. If it hasn't sold then, many people are looking for a little extra cash flow with Christmas approaching and he may be willing to lower his price.
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