Saladgirl

My dad has and old road bike that he insists is worth some money. I have a picture of him with it dated 1977. He says it’s light. Any idea how I can identify it? Also then how do I figure what it’s worth and then finally selling it.

juvela

-----

if you have or can make some images of the cycle you can post them to your member's album on your member page

there is a link there for "album"

readers can visit the page and put the images into the thread

no minimum number of posts is required to create the album


-----

Saladgirl

I think I did it, thanks so much

juvela

-----


​​​​​​https://bikeforums.net/g/album/23073108

​​​​​​
​​​​​​

-----

clubman 

Well, it looks like a decent Bianchi from the time frame mentioned. Likely Japanese made, not top-o-line but very good. The tubing stickers would help as well as the other details like rimes, hubs, derailleurs, cranks (which look to be Japanese and maybe Ofmega cranks)

Worth some money is subjective. Needs to be tip-top to have some value and much better detailed pics. The best place for evaluations is here. https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...th-appraisals/

clubman 

The front hub looks funky...maybe a Hi-E? Blue Line derailleurs?

Juvela beat me to pics.

juvela

-----

anterior hub likely something from Sansin Matsumoto

chainset is a Sakae Ringyo item


-----

T-Mar

That looks newer than 1977. I'd place it circa 1981-1982. The serial number will tell us the exact year. It looks like a Japanese manufactured Bianchi Special. Front derailleur is SunTour AR. The rear appears to be a Sun Tour Cyclone GT.

jdawginsc 

Almost positive you are right. 1982 cobalt Special, but there should be braze-on shifters and an AR rear derailleur. Could have been replaced.

It's the only other Japanese version that had chrome socks front and rear.

Bianchigirll 

Im thinking the same thing but unfortunately I’m not home to check through my catalogs. The decals definitely say Asian built and ‘82ish to me

Mr. 66

Pretty scrappy, I think it had front end damage to the fork. Probably addressable but that narrows the value considerably.

wrk101

In that condition, in my market, its donation fodder. What is your time worth? Again, my market may be $25 to $50. Hopefully your market is better!


I don't like to go through the headache of selling a bike in that price range. Too many no shows, tire kicker, low ballers out there. So I donate bikes like this, I've donated a couple of hundred of them.

The Cyclone GT G1 RD is worth as much or more than the complete bike. So if I had this one come through my hands, I'd probably swap out the RD with something out of the bin, tune it up, and donate.

+10 if you are going to try to sell it, put the wheels back on, air up the tires, and take some quality photos. Maybe someone will want it!

I never, ever doubt T-Mar on the age. I am surprised that a 1982 bike would not have bottle braze ons.


Crashed bike? I'm cutting my estimate further.

Chuck M 

FWIW, in my area I'd expect this bike to be listed on facebook marketplace for possibly $400 or more and within a week marked down to $150 and ultimately selling for less than $50. If you do list it online for sale, put the wheels back on it, sit it upright and take the best pictures you can.

Saladgirl

Where do I find the serial number?

Saladgirl

I’ve done a little more research with my father on this bike I do have a picture of him on the bike in 1977 also talk to him and he was in an accident where he got hit by a car so some of the damage is spot on and components could’ve been replaced at that time

T-Mar

If the serial number is not on the bottom bracket shell, check the lower, non-drive side of the seat tube.

jdawginsc 

Decaling is definitely 1981-1982 Japanese era...well made frames and forks.

That said, the Special had brazeon stuff in 1982. It was just a small click away from Bianchi Randonneur and more of a sport.

And the only model with the chrome.

I don’t think Bianchi made anything in Japan until 1980-81, if I recall.

Saladgirl

Thanks everyone for helping me with this. We have possession of the bike and are working on putting it together and taking better pictures. It is a very light bike it doesn’t weigh very much. As mentioned I have a picture of my dad in 1977 with a cast because he had been hit by a car on his bike. I think I saw somewhere in notes that maybe forks were bent I don’t know if they repair them or what.

T-Mar

Lightness is largely comparitive to what you've experienced with other bicycles. It may seem very light to you but this bicycle would probably be 3-4 lbs heavier than Bianchi's lightest model of the era.

Saladgirl

Advice and thoughts appreciated

T-Mar

My statements made in the OP's other thread on this bicycle have been confirmed by the additional photos. The serial number indicates a Japanese manufactured model from April 1981. Consequently, it would be the previously stated Bianchi Special model. The rear derailleur is a Sun Tour Cyclone GT upgrade. Fork looks bent and the overall conditon is only fair. So, it's a lower mid-range model from the very early 1980s. A nice bicycle, though nothing special (despite the name), not in good condition, not very light and therefore not very valuable. The most valuable item on the bicycle is the rear derailleur.

Edit: The bicycle in the 1977 photo is not the same bicycle. It has two narrow foil bands on the seat tube, stamped dropouts, centre-pull brakes and Simplex Prestige derailleurs on the front and rear.

Link to photo album: https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/546747

T-Mar

My earlier statements on this bicycle have been confirmed by the additional photos that have been posted in the gallery album. The serial number indicates a Japanese manufactured model from April 1981. Consequently, it would be the previously stated Bianchi Special model. The rear derailleur is confirmed as a Sun Tour Cyclone GT upgrade. Fork looks bent and the overall conditon is only fair. So, it's a lower mid-range model from the very early 1980s. A nice bicycle, though nothing special (despite the name), not in good condition, not very light and therefore not very valuable. The most valuable item on the bicycle is the rear derailleur.

The bicycle in the 1977 photo is not the same bicycle. It has two narrow foil bands on the seat tube, stamped dropouts, centre-pull brakes and Simplex Prestige derailleurs on the front and rear.

Edit: Selective photo assist...







Link to full photo album: https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/546747

wrk101

Great detective work by T-Mar, as always!

Bravo!

Bianchigirll 

That’s too bad about the fork, because otherwise this looks like a nice bike. I mean it would still take some good elbow grease to make it a good rider but fork throws monkey wrench into the works

cb400bill

Merged duplicate threads.