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Here are pics of it's original state.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B058PhtpXfoFcHNGY3kzT01UVDg
Confirmed authenticity with several people who know their stuff - both in Italy and online. For example Sheldon Brown - http://www.sheldonbrown.com -
Any idea what model of Bianchi it is and do you have the serial number?
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Serial number is 78378
It is impossible to find it using these. Bianchi was terrible with serial numbers back in those days. Also reused them a lot. There are some online registers, but very incomplete.
Sheldon brown said it was a mid level Bianchi from mid 1970s. Decals and equipment confirm that. Also the story of the owner who bought it in mid 1970s.
Not sure of the exact model.
Check original state images - https://microcosm.app/out/wYnvh -
If I recall correctly, around that time Bianchi bought quite a few other smaller companies, who made loads of cheaper bikes with their name/logo on them. Bianchi couldn't keep up with demand, so they "outsourced" some of their cheaper manufacturing to these companies.
Typically, the ones made by the original Bianchi company have fork crowns with the letter "B" or the word "Bianchi" written in the top of the casting, and markings in the metal at the top of the rear stays have the letter "B" or the word "Bianchi" on them too. They also have their serial number on the front top of the head tube. I did loads and loads of research when I bought a Bianchi Rekord 748, which wasn't a top end Bianchi by any stretch, in fact it was a "mid-level" bike, but it still had tight geometry and the lovely little details mentioned above that confirmed what it was regardless of the paint or decals.
I can't say for sure that the bike here isn't a Bianchi, but I have never seen one with a steel plate as a rear brake bridge, or one with a stand mount on the bottom of the frame behind the bottom bracket. Also, the geometry of this frame is really slack, not what you'd expect from Bianchi. The dropouts look wrong too ... they're pressed steel instead of cast (not Gipieme or Campagnolo). In my opinion, if it is a Bianchi, it's a really cheap one made by one of the small companies that Bianchi purchased or took over.
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Thanks Phil. Great info.
Going thru some emails now I received from an Italian forum when I restored the bike.
Somebody did mention it was probably built by Chiorda - Italian manufacturer active in 70s and doing work for Bianchi.
Still a bike that is over 40 years old , restored, and a nice ride.
Poetic
TheShipwright
Picard
midlife
PoissonJ-
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About
For sale: Binachi - vintage - mid 1970s - 56 cm - GONE TO EBAY
Posted by
@Ivor
Bike in London, as I live there now.
I am from Croatia. My home town is just 45 minutes drive from Italy.
This Bianchi was bought in a small village near Trieste in Italy.
It was sitting in an attic for years.
Based on decals, frame, and serial number - it is from mid 1970s.
It has been fully restored.
Originally it was painted red.
Frame was professionally sandblasted and painted into Bianchi Tomato Red colour.
New high quality decals applied.
All other parts thoroughly cleaned and serviced.
It rides beautifully.
I then transported it to London just recently.
I am selling it mainly because it is too big for me, but also because lack of space and needing the money for other projects.
ORIGINAL
Frame - size 56 cm
Simplex Derailleur - cleaned, taken apart, some components changed with NOS ones, works great.
Dia Compe brakes - new pads
Lepper stem
SAKAE Crankset
Mavic Normandy wheels - thoroughly polished - in great condition
NEW
Bianchi handlebar tape
Chain
Pedals
Wires - Shimano
Selle Italia Turbo seat
Tyres - Vittoria
On the wall since restored.
Only had a few test rides - less than 10 miles in total.
I am looking for 350 pounds.
Collection preferred. Would consider posting.
Can been seen in London - SE17.
Thanks for looking.
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