Jeff K’s 80s Bianchi

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Here is first-time contributor Jeff K’s 1980s Bianchi.


Here is my Bianchi, that I recently repainted in the bluer hue of “Celeste”, as the original paint and decals were in rough shape. I polished up the components a bit, installed a Campagnolo Athena seatpost, and a very good imitation Selle San Marco seat, from Bike Nashbar, with matching handlebar tape also from Bike Nashbar. The stem is 130mm Cinelli x/a. The handlebars are Cinelli 66 “Campione Del Mondo” deep drop (the same Greg Lemond used) which I drilled for internal cable routing. The wheels in the photo are nothing too special but I have another set with Ambrosio Durex rims waiting for the narrow 700 X 20c Michelin tires now on order. My goal is for this bike to look like something you might have seen in the old spring classics of the mid-late 80’s – as well as have a reliable spare road bike. The drivetrain is Shimano 105/600 (old but very reliable) and if I can find a deal on some period Campagnolo components I’d gladly switch to make this bike even more Italian, something the late great Fausto Coppi might approve of. Hope you enjoy the pics. Technically this one is an old twelve speed but maybe you and your readers will like to see it.

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  • Ryan Surface

    Lovely, if there is anything I like more than a beautiful old French 10 speed, its a beautiful old Italian 10 speed. Do you have a before picture Jeff? Always great to see a classic bike refurbished and back on the road.

  • BeaterRezQ

    Jeff K.,
    Love the “powder blue” paint job, just as pretty as the trademark Bianchi celeste. (imho)
    With the 105/600 combo you really can’t go wrong. Is the chromed fork original to the bike?
    I have a good friend that has a Bianchi of the same vintage as yours, in the trademark celeste, 12 speed and mostly Veloce components. I need to talk him into photographing it someday and submitting it to the Gallery. It’s in nearly mint condition, and even better than that–it was given to him. (maybe I can click a few pics of it and submit it c/o him) He set it up much like yours. Nice ride!
    BRQ

  • http://www.facebook.com/JeffKellyFB Jeff Kelly

    Hi BeaterRezQ, Ryan Surface – Thanks, I prefer the blue hue to the green. The fork has been sanded and spray painted a silver/chrome and clear coated. Frame has also been clear coated. It is the original fork with “Bianchi” in the dropouts. At some point I would like to get a “real” chrome one. Ryan Surface, here’s a before photo, the original paint and decals were imo becoming a sight for making eyes sore and I just had to do something about it. I’d like to see your friend’s bike, it sounds very nice. The modern bikes with the carbon, sloping top tubes and ergo bars are comfy but there’s something about the traditional geometry and steel that I think never goes completely out of style. When the positioning is set up right, that is most important and a couple of extra (bike) pounds never killed anyone.

  • DOCSPROCKET

    YOU GOTA LOVE THAT COMPACT FRAME GEOMETRY VERRY POPULAR WITH A FEW MANUFACTURES,
    MADE THE BIKE NIMBLE IN THE CORNERS & IN A SPRINT SO THE RIDER COULD REALY THROW THE BIKE AROUND IN A TIGHT PACK & PUT THE POWER DOWN ON THE GROUND. NICE RESTORATION
    2 THUMBS UP