So, I'm rebuilding this old steel Bianchi

[razorbacksteve]

I picked this up for $100 from a dude that found this steel Bianchi in a barn, or storage space, or from his 3rd cousin…and posted it to a cycling swap forum on FB. It has newish Shimano R501 wheels, some odd componentry, and the cool steel frame. Here are pics:

This was the FB pic by the seller:

Got it home:

Serial number?: JS682194

Didn’t notice this nugget till I got home, it looks original:

Wish it had more of a headbadge, but still kinda unique:

Seat cluster:

Converted from downtube shifters?

The componentry is junk, and definitely not original, outside of maybe the BB and crank (although the chainring has been painted white??). I’m thinking I’m going to strip it down, convert it into a touring/rain/gravel/commuter ride. Something more comfortable than the race roadie, but still worthy of a century tour effort, commuting, and riding w/ wife and no-drop rides.

I’ve got some 10 sp 105 parts I think I’m gonna load it up with. Remove stickers off the wheels and put maybe some 28 mm Conti Grand Prix 4 seasons? Red bar tape, maybe.

I think, based on a bit of googling, and the serial number, JS682194, it’s a 1994 frame, probably made in Japan. I believe it a 70 mm Italian threaded BB?

Questions:

I’ve struck out looking for info via that serial number. Anybody got better Google-fu than me? Or some sort of bianchi serial number database?

Can I convert it to take a Shimano 105 crank? What BB do I need to buy to make that happen?

Any recommendations on my conversion/upgrade choices?

Anybody else that’s done this, or familiar w/ these frames, what am I gonna run into that I’m not thinking of?

Thanks!

[nickwhite]

I can’t answer your questions, but I’d highly suggest you strip the paint and repaint it celeste!

[razorbacksteve]

I know, right?! Everything I’ve seen is that awesome Bianchi-specific shade. And I can’t even find another pic of a black one. It would be soooo much cooler that way!
I can’t answer your questions, but I’d highly suggest you strip the paint and repaint it celeste!

[OakCliffTri]

I can’t answer your questions, but I’d highly suggest you strip the paint and repaint it celeste!

In the past I had 3 in Celeste (MTB & 2 roadies). My current 2 Bianchis (Roadie & MTB) are black carbon and are sleek but Celeste is just plain awesomely gorgeous!

[kjmcawesome]

You gotta build it up with downtube shifters! Here’s my 2004 Madone that I built as a “modern retro” bike. Yours could be “retro modern”.

[Rambler]

Nice! Hard to tell from the pictures but it looks like the paint is in good shape, the chain-stay doesn’t even seem scratched up from dropped chains. I wouldn’t be in a hurry to repaint it. Looks like a pretty big frame, 58?

[tridork]

I’m a big fan of keeping things original. That paint, while not stereotypical celeste is likely original, and seems in good enough condition to keep.

I have several bikes in my shed that are awaiting restoration. Instead of turning it into a rain bike, commuter or even a fixie/single, how about restoring it? One is a locally made 1974 10sp that I got from the original owner. The only thing that’s been replaced is the tires. Even the chain is original! Awesome

Research it to see what it was like when new, search the “new old stock” or good used parts website/forum, and have it as a cool project to get you teeth into. There’s a growing market of collectors who collect bikes like that. A friend has a bike from (get this) 1904! that has original paint, some newer parts (tires and chain of course). He even rides it in group rides (when he knows the ride will be flat, as it weighs as much as the moon!) and keeps the guys honest :-). He also has a pair of his and hers Raleigh bikes from the 1940’s that they use for riding to the shops or cafes on the weekends. Uber cool.

Just think that if you restore it, in 100 years it will still be an original bike and a vintage as well!

[bradleykd]

This may help…

http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/70572-bianchi-serial-number-identification.html

Nice bike. Down tube shifters are fun, but if you are going to ride it all the time, I’d go with STI’s (of course other brand equivalents too. Just trying to avoid saying “brifters” Crap I did it anyway!) and 10 speed. It isn’t old enough or “Holy Grail Bike” enough to return it to original.

[davidalone]

Go with celeste. Bianchis are only good in celeste. .

I would go with a retro but functional build. downtube shifters aren’t very practical. there are numerous component choices that are functional but look retro. get a old shiny, metal quill stem ( still easily available, talk to the fixie/hipster bike crowd ) and cinelli criterium or giro D’italia handlebar . a Cinelli Nitto or grammmo seatpost would complement all that well.

campagnolo athena , or any of the older shiny metal campy groups you can find on ebay would do nicely.the crabk still looks good, so you could probably keep it. of course, you’d want leather bar tape and a brooks saddle with all that.

Note that it will cos, but when you end up with something looking like this:
http://cyclingtips.com.au/2011/12/bikes-of-the-bunch-73-bianchi-restoration/

it is beautiful.

[Barchettaman]

A few points:

• Before you spring for 28/622 tyres, check the clearance at the rear brake bridge. A 25/622 may be the biggest that will fit under it.

• Those STIs look like Sora 8-speed and, if functioning, are reliable units, if completely unsexy and unloved. I’d just use them.

• If you stay 8-speed, a Sram 9-speed chain improves the shifting performance.

• the chainring could be original white, Shimano did an all white Exage groupset that would be contemporaneous with the rest of the bike.

Keep your budget low. Unless you completely fall in love with the bike there’s no point repainting it. The most I would do is redecal it in Celeste with matching bar tape.

Hope you enjoy it.

[razorbacksteve]

That’s very cool!! It freaks me out a bit, though. Is it something you just get used to? Or do you try to stay out of tight group rides and busy streets?
You gotta build it up with downtube shifters! Here’s my 2004 Madone that I built as a “modern retro” bike. Yours could be “retro modern”.

[razorbacksteve]

The is in pretty darn good shape. There are some scratches on the top tube where it was probably leaned up against a brick wall or something. But, all in all, looks good.

I have no plans to repaint it right now. That would take a lot more time, resources, and/or cash than I’m intending to put in it right now. It’s always something I could consider later on, though. Right now, I just wanna start riding it!

Yep, it’s a 58. At least that’s how it measures from the center of the BB to top of the seat tube, which coinsides w/ the the top of the top tube. Which is perfect for me!

Nice! Hard to tell from the pictures but it looks like the paint is in good shape, the chain-stay doesn’t even seem scratched up from dropped chains. I wouldn’t be in a hurry to repaint it. Looks like a pretty big frame, 58?

[razorbacksteve]

I would actually LOVE to do this. But, I can’t find anyway to locate what “original” was. From what I’ve read on other forums, Bianchi doesn’t have a database for their serial numbers. (Crazy, right?) I don’t know if the company has changed hands a handful of times and that’s gotten lost in the shuffle, or what.

If I could figure out what year and model are, I would have a blast making that happen. But, I keep hitting walls. Either way, it’s not truly vintage from the 60s or something. Like you said, though, it will be in a couple decades!

Maybe, if I can figure it out, I can truly restore it in the future. Thanks for the thought!
I’m a big fan of keeping things original. That paint, while not stereotypical celeste is likely original, and seems in good enough condition to keep.

I have several bikes in my shed that are awaiting restoration. Instead of turning it into a rain bike, commuter or even a fixie/single, how about restoring it? One is a locally made 1974 10sp that I got from the original owner. The only thing that’s been replaced is the tires. Even the chain is original! Awesome

Research it to see what it was like when new, search the “new old stock” or good used parts website/forum, and have it as a cool project to get you teeth into. There’s a growing market of collectors who collect bikes like that. A friend has a bike from (get this) 1904! that has original paint, some newer parts (tires and chain of course). He even rides it in group rides (when he knows the ride will be flat, as it weighs as much as the moon!) and keeps the guys honest :-). He also has a pair of his and hers Raleigh bikes from the 1940’s that they use for riding to the shops or cafes on the weekends. Uber cool.

Just think that if you restore it, in 100 years it will still be an original bike and a vintage as well!

[razorbacksteve]

Thanks for the forum link. I actually found that and perused it. That’s how I figured it must be from 1994 and Japanese. They even talk about how difficult it’s been ID-ing Bianchis in that thread, too.

I just don’t understand why there’s not a simple chart or database to make these serial numbers useful. I mean, what’s the point??

I agree on your points regarding shifters and “vintageness” of the bike. I think I’ll probably bring it to a modern, functional place. And, then enjoy the hell out of it.

This may help…

http://www.bikeforums.net/…-identification.html

Nice bike. Down tube shifters are fun, but if you are going to ride it all the time, I’d go with STI’s (of course other brand equivalents too. Just trying to avoid saying “brifters” Crap I did it anyway!) and 10 speed. It isn’t old enough or “Holy Grail Bike” enough to return it to original.

[razorbacksteve]

Dude. That bike is gorgeous!!

Thanks for the thoughts on some retro, but modern and functional options. That’s stuff I don’t know. Appreciate that!
Go with celeste. Bianchis are only good in celeste. .

I would go with a retro but functional build. downtube shifters aren’t very practical. there are numerous component choices that are functional but look retro. get a old shiny, metal quill stem ( still easily available, talk to the fixie/hipster bike crowd ) and cinelli criterium or giro D’italia handlebar . a Cinelli Nitto or grammmo seatpost would complement all that well.

campagnolo athena , or any of the older shiny metal campy groups you can find on ebay would do nicely.the crabk still looks good, so you could probably keep it. of course, you’d want leather bar tape and a brooks saddle with all that.

Note that it will cos, but when you end up with something looking like this:
http://cyclingtips.com.au/2011/12/bikes-of-the-bunch-73-bianchi-restoration/

it is beautiful.

[razorbacksteve]

These are the tidbits I’m looking for. Thank you.

I really like the idea of rebadging it w/ Celeste decals. I’ll see what I can find.

A few points:

• Before you spring for 28/622 tyres, check the clearance at the rear brake bridge. A 25/622 may be the biggest that will fit under it.

• Those STIs look like Sora 8-speed and, if functioning, are reliable units, if completely unsexy and unloved. I’d just use them.

• If you stay 8-speed, a Sram 9-speed chain improves the shifting performance.

• the chainring could be original white, Shimano did an all white Exage groupset that would be contemporaneous with the rest of the bike.

Keep your budget low. Unless you completely fall in love with the bike there’s no point repainting it. The most I would do is redecal it in Celeste with matching bar tape.

Hope you enjoy it.

[OakCliffTri]

Bianchi used to be and may still be very good about supplying stickers/badges, etc upon request. I sent in a letter pre-internets/emails to Bianchi in Italy about how much I loved racing my Bianchis and what an up & coming racer I was and that all of my wins were on Bianchis. Tens of thousands of sponsorship dollars didn’t arrive in the mail but a lot of cool swag including a ton of stickers/decals, etc did.

Maybe they can hook you up with time-period specific decals in the proper COLOR!

These are the tidbits I’m looking for. Thank you.

I really like the idea of rebadging it w/ Celeste decals. I’ll see what I can find.

[Power13]

That’s very cool!! It freaks me out a bit, though. Is it something you just get used to? Or do you try to stay out of tight group rides and busy streets?

People managed group rides and busy streets for decades before the advent of brifters…hell, they even raced them, too!

My current retro sled…but if you go with downtube shifters, you gotta go friction.

[bradleykd]

That’s very cool!! It freaks me out a bit, though. Is it something you just get used to? Or do you try to stay out of tight group rides and busy streets?

People managed group rides and busy streets for decades before the advent of brifters…hell, they even raced them, too!

but if you go with downtube shifters, you gotta go friction.

True, I got used to them very fast!

Friction is the way to go, plus, if you did go friction down tubes, it makes it easier to add gears in the back. I put a 10 speed chain and cassette on my Merckx and am still using Shimano 600 7 speed gear. It will only shift 9, but the large cog is for wimps anyway!

My “retro sled” (before 10 speed and appropriately sized chain. lol)

[Chris_G]

I know, right?! Everything I’ve seen is that awesome Bianchi-specific shade. And I can’t even find another pic of a black one. It would be soooo much cooler that way!
I can’t answer your questions, but I’d highly suggest you strip the paint and repaint it celeste!

Here’s mine, in black. I bought/built it as a 40th birthday present to myself a couple years ago. Columbus SLX frameset, with Campy C-Record. Both from the late 80’s. It came this color and my first thought was to get it repainted, but after I built it up it kind of grew on me.

Chris