Bianchi Specialissima - Help IDing Frame

[vnz00]

Hello all,
Im posting with the hope someone can shed light on this mystery. I believe this bike is an 83 Bianchi specialissima. The super record pantoed components are mostly all there and correctly patent stamped '82', with the hubs, stem and BB being replaced. The lugs, bridges, cable guides and serial numbers are all consistent as well.

I did notice the rear derailleur dropout has been replaced (evidence of brazing and a columbus, rather than campagnolo stamped dropout), which could explain a respray and later decals (the superset decal I believe was 90's). One thing I don't understand though is why the 'B' panto is absent from the steerer tube bottom lug.

The bike belongs to the son of the original owner, who owned it from new. I find it hard to believe that someone would go to the trouble of building up a lesser frame with the rare super record pantoed components.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Steven.

[ultraman6970]

IMO that FD tab shouldnt be there. If the drop out was replaced maybe they added the FD tab the same day. Frame screams early 80s to me...

[vnz00]

More Pics

[ultraman6970]

well could be one of the japanese bianchis.

[vnz00]

Braze on FD fittings are on this 84:
http://www.raydobbins.com/ebay/bike-bianchi/bike-bianchi.htm

And on this '83 so I believe that's fine.

[texbike]

The head lugs don't look correct to me for a Specialissima.

Take a look at the details on this '83 Specialissima: http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Italy/Bianchi/Bianchi/index.html .

Is the BB English or Italian threaded?

Texbike

[witcombusa]

Braze on FD fittings are on this 84:
http://www.raydobbins.com/ebay/bike-bianchi/bike-bianchi.htm




While Ray takes beautiful bike photos, if I see one more bike without pedals I'll scream :no:

What's next, no saddle, no bars???

[texbike]

Braze on FD fittings are on this 84:
http://www.raydobbins.com/ebay/bike-bianchi/bike-bianchi.htm

And on this '83 so I believe that's fine.

Interesting... I almost bought the Specialissima that you have pictured here a few years back.

Have you checked on Bikeforums.net? There are quite a few people over there in the Classics section that really know their Bianchis. It may be worth posting there if you haven't already.

Texbike

[vnz00]

Thanks Texbike, I cant be sure on the BB as I don't have the bike in my possession. Ill try over at that forum too. Unfortunately I don't have any clear sideshots of the head tube which shows the detail. The bottom lug is defn not as extended, minus the panto, but I cant remember the top lug.

[Grant McLean]

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Don't buy it. Is that what you're considering?
I love classic Bianchi bikes, and this one has zero interest from me,
the damage is a deal breaker, and the paint and decals are totally wrong
for the period. Move on.

-g

[vnz00]

Don't buy it. Is that what you're considering?


-g

Hi Grant, yes that's whats on my mind. I can get it for what the group is worth which isn't so bad.

The damage to the frame and decals etc aren't a deal breaker for me as it would be worth restoring. However those headlugs are an unknown. So dropping money on a frame repair and restoration and not ending up with what I want at the end of it is simply poor judgement.

Id be inclined to buy it for the group (which are hard to come by) and wait for a frame to come up in the future. Ive seen a few now so I know they are out there.