evwxxx

So thanks to ‘02 nrs I saw this thing on the Ft Wayne Indiana facebook. Since I was driving thru Ft Wayne anyway I ended up with it to the tune of 40 bucks. The attraction was for the parts, but I am curious as to the pedigree of the bike. The parts bits include Suntour Superbe FD, RD, shifters, and front hub (rear hub is campy record, replacement?). Cranks are Sugino Super Mighty, brakes are Gran Compe, headset is Tange Levin alloy. BB is 68mm BSC, with Sugino cups and spindle. Rims are matching Mavic sew ups, 700c. Interesting points are the nice fluted seat stays (like my Colnagos!) and the number LS 1 under the bottom bracket. There is no indication of holes for a head badge. The seatpost diameter is 26.6. Drop outs are Tange “Pro”.






LS 1

Threaded seat clamp ear


Fluted seat stays

So, any ideas as to what this might be? Thanks!

juvela

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you might wish to also include the possibility of a Flanderland navtivity


CMAW non-fixie MauriceMoss
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unworthy1

couple more data points: is the 26.6 seatpost 100% the correct size for the seat tube?

If so the size is a bit curious: if this were JP then a seattube that size would point to something heavier-gauge such as Tange #3 or lower, yet given some of the details of this frame I think it's likely made of
"better stuff" such as metric seamless DB and of the lighter stuff than say 531C (which might take 26.4 more frequently, or this tube was reamed out a touch more).

Please check the outside diameters of the 3 main tubes with an accurate (digital is best) caliper.

In which case with metric tubing it could be of Benelux-origin, as juvela suggests, but still an oddball to find metric tubing there.

Pull out the fork and check for any stamping on the steerer. also check the interior base of that steerer for any "rifling"

One last point: looks like "LS1" might be just the part of a longer serial number, the rest of which was ground off....correct?

evwxxx

yes there is definitely “flatness” after the LS 1 numerals,,, the frame feels very lightweight, so the 26.6 seat tube surprised me. As you can see from the pic of the whole bike the seat was jammed all the way in, so I was surprised that it came out at all, but it was in very snug. Tried another 26.6 seatpost and it too was nice and snug. Pulled the fork, original color black, marked Ishiwata. Outside diameters of main tubes are:

seat tube -28.9
top tube - 25.85
down tube - 29.0

these measurements done with mechanical caliper with cold fingers, so,,,

juvela

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Ishiwata 022 was the tube set expected

this fits in with a Flanders origin

also surprised by the pillar size; although it would fit in with a metric standard

be aware there are a few Flanders makers to use metric standard rather than BSC/ISO


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evwxxx

thanks, at least the BB is standard!

T-Mar

The serial number format appears to be that used by Bianchi's Japanese source and, if so, would indicate a 1982 model manufactured at the end of 1981. The component mix is largely in accordance with a Bianchi Professional. The frame characteristics, for the most part, are consistent with a 1982 Professional, with concerns being the colour (repaint?) and seat post size. Like others, I was expecting an Ishiwata 022 tubeset and a 27.2mm seat post. The 26.6mm post is actually typical of a Tange tubeset. It's possible that they could have been building a similar model for another client but with a Tange tubeset. However, I'm not aware of any. It's worth noting that the seat post size would be correct if an Ishiwata 022 seat tube had inadvertently been installed upside down. Pending further evidence, a Bianchi Professional would be my leading candidate.

dedhed

LS1? Well it's obviously then a Chevrolet.

unworthy1

So, thanks to T-Mar (again) most likely a re-sprayed Japanese Bianchi Pro with some very nice Sun Tour Superbe parts!
You did quite well for $40!

The builder for most of these JP Bianchis has remained a stubborn mystery, even stymied the Great Ones (like T-Mar), but they are certainly well-made and enjoyed by nearly everyone who rides one them.

Highmass

And it gets even better. That is not an ordinary Superbe RD. It is a Superbe Pro. A Superbe would have chromed steel for for the two big allen bolts (With engraving), and a hex nut for the cable attatchment. On a Superbe Pro, the cable attatchment is as shown, and the two large allen bolts are aluminium, making it 25 grams lighter than the regular Superbe. Score!

evwxxx

I love it when a plan comes together (ie stopping off in Ft Wayne on the way from South Bend to Blacksburg Virginia)!