billkilpatrick
Dirt Disciple
What to look for when establishing the age of frame?
Frame - Establishing Age
- Thread starter billkilpatrick
- Start date
billkilpatrick
Dirt Disciple
Thank you, Which braze-ons ... purpose-built mounts for gear levers on the downtube for example, as a opposed to those with a clamp? When did frame manufactures stop adding braised lever mounts? Generally speaking, when did frame makers stop placing lamp mounts on the front fork? Number on the head tube of my new/old Bianchi "Selvino" is 651727 - from which I guess it was made in 1965. But I can only find references of this model dating from the early '50's. Guy I bought it from said his family bought it in 1984 but I'm beginning to doubt it. Lot's of information on the net concerning new Bianchi bicycles but can't find much about their vintage models.
I assume "rear spacing" refers to distance allowed for the cassette.
Thanks again.
Gear and brake cable stops and guides, lever bosses, bottles, cable BB guides, race numbers all went through different fashions which are quite diagnostic.
At one stage in the 70s there were minimal braze-ons, just chrome clips. Then divers' helmet style stops late 70s, then slotted and under-the bottom bracket guides in the 80s etc.
And spacing is indeed the OLN distance..120mm, then 126, then 130mm.
You have to know the brand for the numbering system to infer a date. Some it's a year, some the year is at the end , some are straight sequential.
Best is to take detailed photos of the frame, especially all the lug joints and number and we can all have a go at identifying it.
At one stage in the 70s there were minimal braze-ons, just chrome clips. Then divers' helmet style stops late 70s, then slotted and under-the bottom bracket guides in the 80s etc.
And spacing is indeed the OLN distance..120mm, then 126, then 130mm.
You have to know the brand for the numbering system to infer a date. Some it's a year, some the year is at the end , some are straight sequential.
Best is to take detailed photos of the frame, especially all the lug joints and number and we can all have a go at identifying it.
billkilpatrick
Dirt Disciple
Decals say "Bianchi" - top tube decal said "Selvino." Came with a dynamo headlamp with braised mount fixed onto front fork. Braised mounts on seat tube for large (40cm) air pump. "Bianchi" brand mud-guards. There are three guides underneath the top tube for the rear brake cable. I've seen some Bianchi racers with guides on top of the tube. SACHS/HURET Derailleurs and down tube gear levers. Nondescript brakes. Replaced its tiny (9cm diameter) 5 speed cassette (see photo) - "REGINA EXTRA/85 Made in Italy." Original handlebar with integrated, 22.2mm quill stem and brakes with "ITM" letters within a triangular logo. Small seat stem (16cm.).
Frame weight feels about the same as the Reynolds 531 metal frame on my Claud Butler road bike - maybe a little lighter.
I'm not a "red" person, normally, but its flake red finish, twinkling in the sunlight here in sunny Italy is absolutely gorgeous.
Any help you guys can give in identifying its DOB would be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Frame weight feels about the same as the Reynolds 531 metal frame on my Claud Butler road bike - maybe a little lighter.
I'm not a "red" person, normally, but its flake red finish, twinkling in the sunlight here in sunny Italy is absolutely gorgeous.
Any help you guys can give in identifying its DOB would be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
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billkilpatrick
Dirt Disciple
Have you found images later than the early '50's? Frame number suggests it was made in 1965 - its "Selvino" decal suggests it was made earlier. I bought the bicycle for its frame - what's attached to it is of little significance, exotic or other wise. What I add on and subtract from it will be just what the doctor ordered ...
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Looks like this one. Easily found with 2 mins browsing a search on Google images.
https://keej.it/annuncio/collezionismo/roma-annunci-roma/bici-vintage-e-accessori-vari-14462217.htm
Or this one from 1980.
https://picclick.it/Bicicletta-Bian...intage-anni-80-154650529642.html#&gid=1&pid=2
Looks like a very basic roadster frame.
https://keej.it/annuncio/collezionismo/roma-annunci-roma/bici-vintage-e-accessori-vari-14462217.htm
Or this one from 1980.
https://picclick.it/Bicicletta-Bian...intage-anni-80-154650529642.html#&gid=1&pid=2
Looks like a very basic roadster frame.
billkilpatrick
Dirt Disciple
Yes - The latter is the one I bought a couple of weeks ago. With the recent hike in fuel prices, the bicycle cost me almost as much as the drive down there to collect it and back. I'm trying to establish the correct date of the manufacture of the frame. It was probably made in Taiwan and assembled in Italy but I can't find any additional images or references to support the vendor's claim that it was made in the 1980's. Only information I've found suggests the "Selvino" model was manufactured in the early '50's and not subsequently. The former, "LIVIGNO" model you've posted matches mine - perhaps BIANCHI marketed the model under different names. "Selvino" is a switch-back section of mountain road in the North covered by racers.
Thank you so much for your help.
(Later ... Yes, there's lots of on-line information available under the name "LIVIGNO" - thanks again.)
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jim haseltine
Senior Retro Guru
The style of the bike, the braze-ons (like the stamped pump mountings) and the equipment used indicate 1970/80s. The Huret rear mech should have a 4-digit date stamp in week/year format, eg. 1578 being week 15 of 1978. It's likely that there are date stamps on other parts too. There's unlikely to be much difference between the manufacture dates of them and the frame.
