Trying to date a couple of Bianchis
07-03-16, 05:07 PM
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Carpe Velo
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Trying to date a couple of Bianchis
I have a couple of early 90's Bianchis, A Volpe that I bought 2 years ago and a newly acquired Boardwalk.
I am pretty sure both are early 90's based on construction details and the Suntour XCE components they both came with. They are pretty close to being the same frameset. The seat cluster is a little different and the Boardwalk has a little more tire clearance. The Volpe originally came with Accushift 7 speed butterfly shifters (pictured below), which I hated and swapped out for some friction Barcons. (The butterfly shifters are available if anyone is interested)
They both have a downtube logo with a squiggle design running through it, but I can't find any catalog scans to nail down the exact year models. Best I can come up with is '91, based on someone else who posted with a blue and white Boardwalk with a similar logo style. (Some after pics of the Boardwalk will be coming later)
Anyone happen to have a more accurate idea?
I am pretty sure both are early 90's based on construction details and the Suntour XCE components they both came with. They are pretty close to being the same frameset. The seat cluster is a little different and the Boardwalk has a little more tire clearance. The Volpe originally came with Accushift 7 speed butterfly shifters (pictured below), which I hated and swapped out for some friction Barcons. (The butterfly shifters are available if anyone is interested)
They both have a downtube logo with a squiggle design running through it, but I can't find any catalog scans to nail down the exact year models. Best I can come up with is '91, based on someone else who posted with a blue and white Boardwalk with a similar logo style. (Some after pics of the Boardwalk will be coming later)
Anyone happen to have a more accurate idea?
07-04-16, 05:47 AM
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The Boardwalk is a good match with my 1991 literature but the Volpe isn't. It wasn't available in red (in America) and is listed as being equipped with SunTour X-1. Regardless, we should be able to tell from the serial numbers. Based on samples in my database, Bianchi was sourcing their "cross-terrain" bicycles from Hodaka in Taiwan around this period and it's a known serial number format.
07-04-16, 09:11 AM
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Carpe Velo
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Thanks for the info. Here's some "after" pics.
07-04-16, 09:45 AM
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I thought you trying to figure out how to spend more time with one without offending the other
07-04-16, 01:10 PM
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Carpe Velo
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07-04-16, 01:43 PM
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What are the respective serial numbers? Japanese Bianchis may differ, but Italian Bianchis often have a #L#### format (see my signature), in which the leading digit is the last digit of the year of manufacture, and the letter denotes the fortnight (I and O were not used) or perhaps the month (I would not have been used, making M=December).
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
07-04-16, 02:05 PM
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Neither one is going to be Italian made.
The Volpe is BS049976
The Boardwalk is HOJ22080
The Volpe is BS049976
The Boardwalk is HOJ22080
07-04-16, 02:32 PM
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The serial number for the Boardwalk confirms my identification. It is a 1991 model, manufactured by Hodaka of Taiwan. The Volpe is a 1990 model, by an unknown Japanese manufacturer.
07-04-16, 09:21 PM
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I had figured they were probably a year or two apart, as the Suntour XCE components were styled differently.
What segment of the serial number identified the year for you?
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