mid 80's bianchi more info needed

[chillibiker]

Hello every one. My dad happened to save this bike from the dump for me and I was wondering if any one has any idea what it is. As far as I can gather it is a Japanese made bianchi with high manganese steel (mangalloy) tubes. There are some tubing names on the seat tube sticker but I can't make any sence of them. The bike seems nice and light . The components are a mix of suntour cyclone drive train , sunshine hubs, and diacomp brakes.








Another question I have is about the rims. The back wheel has a broken spoke and all the other ones are quite corroded. So I at least have to replace the spokes but figure I might as well replace the rims too, but is there a cost effective replacement rim that will keep the old school look of the bike? I plan on riding this a lot and maybe some touring so I need somthing strong.

 

[oonaff]

hi. reader 'otherself' recently launched a good topic about . kind of obscure classics that seem to slip through
the net so to speak.
in it he mentions these but of different steel tubing.thanks for the opportunity to view one !
ps i hope it fits you! the saddle could do with raising and the h bar stem lowering just to make it look a bit tidy.... hope its rare.Always a delight to see a bianchi with non celeste paint.

 

[chillibiker]

Lol thanks the seat is actually going up since I'm around 6 foot 2 and the bars probably will come down. The bike is as It was when it came from the dump, minus all the dirt. The frame fits me perfectly I have a hard tome finding a xl frame like this one so that was a bonus.

 

[oonaff]

ok mate hope nothings too siezed, be interesting to see if a bianchi guru crops up here, someone clued
up on the history of them.& and could talk about the jap connection, this kind of tubing was used on
the 'koga miyata's' which were born in the 70/s
once a chap sent some photo/s in, his bianchi was slx with a blk head tube i tried to google some info but the serial numbers on the bb were not recorded[dont mean anything]
then a reader sent in a photo of 'marino argentin' riding one.good luck
[thursday feb 20th... 'underrated..... ' topic started by the 'otherself ' ] :|

 

[chillibiker]

Here are some pictures of what the bike could look like when it's done

 

[lewisfoto]

It looks like and 83ish Bianchi Professional from the brief period when Piaggio owned Bianchi. One of their (Piaggio's) brilliant ideas was to start outsourcing production of the mid range frames to Japan, problem was people bought Bianchi bikes because they wanted Italian made bikes!

Anyway I had one a bit ago but it was made with Ishiwata tubing, other than that it had nearly the same kit. Maybe this is another year? or simply not a Professional?

For reference:

http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/catalogs/Bianchi-83/03.jpg

 

[oonaff]

well, the rear wheel clearance and mudgaurd eyes do seem to suggest touring/training.
On the professional, the back tyre is well close to the seat tube.
I can imagine some bianchi enthusiasts tearing their hair out when these came about
like the 924 porsche with the audi engine !
They must be collectable especially with that colour scheme and to get it for nothing in your size
congratulations!
on the subject of touring rims, and indeed tyres ive no idea, i guess i would discuss it with a few wheel
builder's
thanks for the topic.[uncanny timing]

 

[lewisfoto]

Never noticed the fender eyelets, definitely not a Professional....

 

[chillibiker]

Is it possible this is a touring specific bike? Did bianchi make such a thing at this time period? The bike has a tall stance even the front is quite high up due to the huge head tube lol. Any one know what the "p.g. oji original tubing " sticker on the seat tube means? I'm guessing that is the manufacture and type of tubes used but I can't find any reference to them any where else.

 

[oonaff]

bianchi are steeped in history, im sure they made all sorts inc track bikes.and tandems
i wonder if there could be a connection between the company supplying the steel tubes here and the koga miyata's tubes which also came from japan,who knows ?
the tube id badge looks kind of bland[least you got one] the one below it is pleasing.
all together you have the gold and blue decals which could be repeated on other stuff like the h bar tape/wheels
saddle and post flutes even the cable outers .
[m just noticed the worn 'piaggio' motifs on that shield/badge on the seat tube]