Bianchi Super Corsa 1980 - my Holy Grail find
06-11-15, 08:48 PM
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Bianchi Super Corsa 1980 - my Holy Grail find
Hello all - I wanted to share my holy grail find.
This is one of four bikes I brought home from estate items being sold. It wasn't until I had time to check them out closer that I realized this one was very special. My favorite era of bikes, my size, favorite color, and just happens to be the top of the line.
The bike had been owned by a gentleman who was a true rider into his late eighties and had 25 bikes in one apartment(?!). I suspect he was like many of us who are on the look-out for an addition to the herd and let me tell you he had discerning taste in bikes. One apparent habit I have had to deal with is his liberal application of wax lube - likely more eager to ride than to clean a bike. I can't fault him for that. I developed a kinship for him after his family member told me some stories about his love for biking. No work done on it yet other than to check tubulars for possible use (rear is Galli Top Pro, and front is Mavic OR 7). It's my first experience with tubulars and need to be schooled. It appears the tires would hold strong for the duration of a ride but I am hesitant. A full detail is needed before any riding - but I sort of hate to clean it...kinda like how an old antique looses its value once its refinished. How many Super Corsa's are out there with genuine road grime and sweat marks from real road use...so I wanted to take some shots and share them and celebrate the previous owner's love for bikes. As far as I can tell it's all original CR including hubs, pedals, and leather laced bars, although not sure about the rear rim. The Serial # is 8546. I'd love to hear from anyone that cares to comment on the bike and any specific or trivial info on the particular model/year.
This is one of four bikes I brought home from estate items being sold. It wasn't until I had time to check them out closer that I realized this one was very special. My favorite era of bikes, my size, favorite color, and just happens to be the top of the line.
The bike had been owned by a gentleman who was a true rider into his late eighties and had 25 bikes in one apartment(?!). I suspect he was like many of us who are on the look-out for an addition to the herd and let me tell you he had discerning taste in bikes. One apparent habit I have had to deal with is his liberal application of wax lube - likely more eager to ride than to clean a bike. I can't fault him for that. I developed a kinship for him after his family member told me some stories about his love for biking. No work done on it yet other than to check tubulars for possible use (rear is Galli Top Pro, and front is Mavic OR 7). It's my first experience with tubulars and need to be schooled. It appears the tires would hold strong for the duration of a ride but I am hesitant. A full detail is needed before any riding - but I sort of hate to clean it...kinda like how an old antique looses its value once its refinished. How many Super Corsa's are out there with genuine road grime and sweat marks from real road use...so I wanted to take some shots and share them and celebrate the previous owner's love for bikes. As far as I can tell it's all original CR including hubs, pedals, and leather laced bars, although not sure about the rear rim. The Serial # is 8546. I'd love to hear from anyone that cares to comment on the bike and any specific or trivial info on the particular model/year.
Last edited by ItsTimeToBike; 06-12-15 at 08:42 PM.
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06-11-15, 08:59 PM
#2
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Beautiful bike. What is under that seat cushion?
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My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
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06-11-15, 09:19 PM
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Looks like a great example. Check the pedal axles and hub axles. They could be Ti Super Record. Original freewheel was alloy, but looks like that has been changed along the way? Never saw one with the portacatena shifter before. But seeing as it's cut out to match I'm guessing it is original? Really cool.
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06-11-15, 09:28 PM
#4
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Downtube Campy friction shifters always worked well for me (for years, on tours, for transportation, day rides, all with a 5-speed hub and triple)...
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06-11-15, 09:32 PM
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Let me reply by respectfully asking - what SHOULD be under the saddle cover? 
Last edited by ItsTimeToBike; 06-12-15 at 08:35 PM.
06-11-15, 09:43 PM
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What a gem! Congrats and a super find and looks like it has found a nice home. Pale green with envy :-$
06-11-15, 09:44 PM
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Portacatena...good eye on that - I hadn't even noticed. Thank you for bringing it to my attention!! And I guess the levers are milled out Campagnolo with the trip lever.
I learned something new through your mention and this link, that the Portacatena is rare: https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk...tena-comp.html
I'll have to check for the Ti on the pedals, and regarding the freewheel - will have to clean it up to see.
I learned something new through your mention and this link, that the Portacatena is rare: https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk...tena-comp.html
Last edited by ItsTimeToBike; 06-11-15 at 10:16 PM.
06-11-15, 09:49 PM
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I grew up with friction shifting and always prefer it as well...and compared to indexing it brings you closer with the bike (although hadn't had the luxury of Campy). Like it even more as barcons lately.
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06-11-15, 09:51 PM
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Very cool bike; great find. Love it all except that goofy seat cover That panto/drillium thing going on with the brake levers is pretty sweet and period-perfect. I'm a total sucker for anything with chromed lugs, too. If the tires hold air ok, I'd say go ahead and ride it, but carefully. If the rubber and sidewalls are significantly dried out, they're just waiting to fail. If they're just plain old, they probably still won't want full pressure. Lots of threads on how to do tubulars here, just google around and you'll find all you need. But don't do any fast descending on it until you know you can trust your tires to survive.
It's always a good idea to take those "as found" shots, if you like "dirty bike porn" check out my Grandis thread. I keep the bike pretty clean now, so it's nice to remember what it looked like when I first got it.
Be sure to post more on yours when you get it all shiny.
That panto/drillium thing going on with the brake levers is pretty sweet and period-perfect. I'm a total sucker for anything with chromed lugs, too. If the tires hold air ok, I'd say go ahead and ride it, but carefully. If the rubber and sidewalls are significantly dried out, they're just waiting to fail. If they're just plain old, they probably still won't want full pressure. Lots of threads on how to do tubulars here, just google around and you'll find all you need. But don't do any fast descending on it until you know you can trust your tires to survive.It's always a good idea to take those "as found" shots, if you like "dirty bike porn" check out my Grandis thread. I keep the bike pretty clean now, so it's nice to remember what it looked like when I first got it.
Be sure to post more on yours when you get it all shiny.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
06-11-15, 10:16 PM
#12
my name is Jim
Very nice bike. I've got a 1979 Super Leggera. The frame was the same but the the Super Corsa came with the full Super Record group and the OR7 rims.
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06-11-15, 10:35 PM
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Thank you Otis for the vote on the saddle - a vintage racing TTT Competizione saddle.
I better start saving.
I better start saving.
Last edited by ItsTimeToBike; 10-26-15 at 11:39 PM.
06-11-15, 11:38 PM
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This may be of interest:
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalog...hi-81a/pg4.jpg
From Mark Bulgier's website. bulgier.net - /pics/bike/Catalogs/
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalog...hi-81a/pg4.jpg
From Mark Bulgier's website. bulgier.net - /pics/bike/Catalogs/
06-12-15, 12:12 AM
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that is gorgeous. love it so much. i know what you mean about cleaning it.
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06-12-15, 12:49 AM
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Incredible find. I don't usually go for Bianchis, but there is no denying this beauty. One of the nicest Bianchis I've seen. Really elegant lug lines, drillium, Campagnolo, chrome, tubulars, patina...what's not to love?!
06-12-15, 09:07 AM
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Beautiful Bianchi, I am a bit jealous.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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06-12-15, 09:19 AM
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Very nice. I wouldn't hesitate to clean it. Old grime usually contains salt from sweat, which is not good for steel. That bike would look gorgeous with a proper cleaning and a different saddle.
06-12-15, 09:25 AM
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I don't normally care for Bianchi, but this is just exceptional in every detail. Just gorgeous!
06-12-15, 09:42 AM
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This is a really great bike here, from a sort of transitional era between styles of the 70's and 80's imo.
I once bought a top-of-line original Guerciotti with similar Almarc leather bar wrap and brake caliper and lever milling, and yes it even had the ti bb spindle, though I can't remember anything about it's pedals now. Crankset even had the "Mexico" (smoothing) treatment to the arms.
Here's hoping that the seatpost isn't stuck. BTW I've yet never owned a Bianchi of this color.
I once bought a top-of-line original Guerciotti with similar Almarc leather bar wrap and brake caliper and lever milling, and yes it even had the ti bb spindle, though I can't remember anything about it's pedals now. Crankset even had the "Mexico" (smoothing) treatment to the arms.
Here's hoping that the seatpost isn't stuck. BTW I've yet never owned a Bianchi of this color.
06-12-15, 10:16 AM
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That is, for me, a grail bicycle, if there ever was one! Beautiful.
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06-12-15, 08:55 PM
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Very cool bike; great find. Love it all except that goofy seat cover That panto/drillium thing going on with the brake levers is pretty sweet and period-perfect. I'm a total sucker for anything with chromed lugs, too. If the tires hold air ok, I'd say go ahead and ride it, but carefully. If the rubber and sidewalls are significantly dried out, they're just waiting to fail. If they're just plain old, they probably still won't want full pressure. Lots of threads on how to do tubulars here, just google around and you'll find all you need. But don't do any fast descending on it until you know you can trust your tires to survive.
It's always a good idea to take those "as found" shots, if you like "dirty bike porn" check out my Grandis thread. I keep the bike pretty clean now, so it's nice to remember what it looked like when I first got it.
Be sure to post more on yours when you get it all shiny.
That panto/drillium thing going on with the brake levers is pretty sweet and period-perfect. I'm a total sucker for anything with chromed lugs, too. If the tires hold air ok, I'd say go ahead and ride it, but carefully. If the rubber and sidewalls are significantly dried out, they're just waiting to fail. If they're just plain old, they probably still won't want full pressure. Lots of threads on how to do tubulars here, just google around and you'll find all you need. But don't do any fast descending on it until you know you can trust your tires to survive.It's always a good idea to take those "as found" shots, if you like "dirty bike porn" check out my Grandis thread. I keep the bike pretty clean now, so it's nice to remember what it looked like when I first got it.
Be sure to post more on yours when you get it all shiny.
Thanks for the suggestions regarding tubulars - as I said I'm a rookie with them.
I promise to post some pics of her "coming out squeaky clean party" - will be some time before that though.
Last edited by ItsTimeToBike; 06-13-15 at 12:15 AM.
06-12-15, 09:32 PM
#24
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This is a really great bike here, from a sort of transitional era between styles of the 70's and 80's imo.
I once bought a top-of-line original Guerciotti with similar Almarc leather bar wrap and brake caliper and lever milling, and yes it even had the ti bb spindle, though I can't remember anything about it's pedals now. Crankset even had the "Mexico" (smoothing) treatment to the arms.
Here's hoping that the seatpost isn't stuck. BTW I've yet never owned a Bianchi of this color.
I once bought a top-of-line original Guerciotti with similar Almarc leather bar wrap and brake caliper and lever milling, and yes it even had the ti bb spindle, though I can't remember anything about it's pedals now. Crankset even had the "Mexico" (smoothing) treatment to the arms.
Here's hoping that the seatpost isn't stuck. BTW I've yet never owned a Bianchi of this color.
Guerciottiati sounds sexy blingy- hope you took some pics. I am assuming there's titanium in axle and bb spindle of the Super Corsa but will be verifying.
And dont scare me re. seat-post being stuck - its unlikely though as most of this bike has been sealed like a sarcophagus in layer upon layer of wax lube.
Last edited by ItsTimeToBike; 06-13-15 at 12:13 AM.
