Octoberski2014

Good afternoon --

I am new here, and am not as interested in price as much as I am curious about the year, and what other details you might be able to tell me about this bike? It is a near/exact replica of my original that I had through the 80s-90s and had stolen, and so I'd like to know thoughts and information about it now (total emotional attachment). I believe it is a 1983 or 1984 Limited, and would be curious to know if these parts are original to the bike.

Any information would be helpful, including what you might do to improve it. I've already had a full tune up and new handlebar tape (after these pics) and it rides beautifully. What else might you recommend?

Thanks in advance for any information you might care to share.

oldskoolwrench

The Photos tell the story...

You have a Bianchi Limited, probably an '86 or '87 model, Japanese built out of Ishiwata Cro-Mo tubing. Your post indicates that you have had the bike tuned up recently, so the chain has been lubed...

I can't tell if the tires are original but if they are, then go ahead and put a new set on. Find some new hoods for the brake levers and you're all set.

If the bike rides 'beautifully', then I wouldn't change a thing. Go out and re-discover the joy you once felt riding your other one. In essence... ride her wheels off!

Octoberski2014

Thanks so much. It is like being reunited with an old friend . Can you tell me how you knew the year?

bikemig 

Little hard to give advice without pics of the bike after the tune up. There were a number of issues with the bike in the pics but they presumably have been fixed. Still I would recommend overhauling the bike (all new ball bearings), replacing all the cables and housing, and replacing the chain. These are consumables that need to be replaced. I'd replace the saddle. I'm skeptical that these are original wheels but they are probably better than the original since these have MA40 rims.

Bianchigirll 

Did you take the front wheel off to get it home? Go get your money back. I can't believe a shop let that out the door with those ratty looking brake hoods, rusty looking chain and the brakes appear to have been adjusted with the quick release in the open position. And if they were the last ones to install the front wheel the mechanic should be fired.

The front skewer does not seem to be closed correctly


The bike itself does appear to be an '84 Limited in Metallic Silver. The seat, shifters, freewheel, rear wheel and rear derailleur (RD) all look to have been changed. The saddle (is it torn? or dirty?) for comfort, and rear wheel could have replaced a damaged wheel or been added with the shifters and RD were installed to give the owner index shifting.

Both the '86 and '87 Limiteds were Italian built with full 600 groupos.

Octoberski2014

Updated pictures of same bike.

randyjawa 

Unless your steering stem is extra long, you are damaging the steering tube of the front fork. Many times have I seen such set-ups result in expanded or split threaded section of the fork steering tube.

Bianchigirll 

It looks nice but why the low saddle?
@Randy, I think that is a Technomic stem.

Octoberski2014

Added today