Skip to main content

1984 Bianchi Nuovo Racing

Finally got sick of the Origin8 tiki mustache bars, so I decided on a change. I really dislike them. Only one comfortable position, out on the ends. Went back to one of my favorite configurations for this build. Bullhorn bars with Suntour bar end shifters. Even broke out some left over celeste bar tape and the old celeste Selle San Marco Ponza saddle from the 2008 Bianchi. 


The first changes came quickly as usual. I ran into some trouble putting 700x32c tires on the Mavic rims with 700C wheels. Surprisingly not enough frame clearance for the rear brake bridge. So, decided to swap the 650b Wheelsmith wheelset with Weinmann Zac19 rims from the Gios and install some SKS Bluemels mudguards. Wiped it down with Gibbs Oil so we'll see how long it keeps clear of rust. Just recently added a set of Suntour barcons and will give that a try for a while. 




Below are the pics of the first build. 





Its missing one of the toptube cable braze-on guides, so I'll try to find a replacement.






I wasn't expecting to pick up a third Bianchi, but who doesn't need just one more. Intrigued by the fact that it was already bead blasted, Purchased it for $100, shipped from a bike forum member and it came with a set of decals. From what I can gather in old catalogue cuts, Its a circa 1984, 57cm Columbus Tretubi steel frame, serial number 3N3257. Maybe the two 3 digits mean its a 1983? Who knows for sure. Picked up a used Miche Competizione headset on ebay for $20 to finish it out. So, mostly a Campagnolo build with the Ofmega strada crank and BB. It'll be a perfect daily rider and one that could take some abuse, if that should ever happen. 

Evidently it was red in an earlier life. Not like this beautiful Celeste catalogue cut from 1984

When I got the frame it was bead blasted but they had attempted to leave the downtube decal and that looked awful. 


The matte finish was an interesting look, but it had some surface rust areas and I needed to remove the old decals so it had to change. After some research, decided to go with a brushed natural steel finish but didn't spend an inordinate amount of time getting it just right, so there is room for improvement. I used a variety of brass wire brushes on a drill and rotary tool. Landed on a look that I'm pleased with for the moment. 



Installed the decals on the downtube and seat tube. 










I haven't sprayed a clearcoat or treated the frame in anyway yet. I've read so many differing opinions on whether or not to do that over bare metal, that I just decided to leave it plain and will brush down any rust when it occurs.

finished off with the Miche headset + decals, awaiting the build


Remembered that I had a headbadge from the 2008 Bianchi. Glad I saved that!

Popular posts from this blog

1990 Basso Loto

UPDATE: Already switched up a few things. Swapped the threadless stem with black Cinelli bars, 1R stem and seatpost. Keeps the black and white theme going well I think. Much more comfortable with a little height on the bars.  Score! I finally found a Basso Fior di Loto. I've been searching for this color variant and model for a while now and this one popped up on Ebay from Brownsville Texas. Super excited to build this up with the Campagnolo parts from the Pegoretti upgrade that's in the works.  From what I have gathered so far, this frame is most likely from  1990. Its a  55cm  Columbus SLX steel frame and fork,  Basso Fior di Loto model in the Caribe colorway. It has a few fandom stickers on it that removed fairly easily and with a little elbow grease. The paint polished up nicely afterward and there are only a few nicks and scratches.  This 1990 Catalogue cut shows the color variants available for this model. I've always been at

1989 Pinarello Treviso

I was able to find a new frame update for my collection, this installment is a 1989 Pinarello Treviso, Cobalto Smoke, 56cm frame. It was in decent shape when I purchased it locally off a bike forum member in SC. It has some ugly stickers on the top tube (subsequently removed) and a paint scheme that can only be described as.... classic 80's italian. An odd "smoked" blue, thusly named Cobalto Smoke, from the catalog. Here are some pics from the forum post. The paint was pretty dull and very fragile.  One of the first tasks completed was to remove the unwanted stickers and try to rehab the paint. I tested a few paint options, using thinned testors model paint, and found a near match for the base blue. My brush technique wasn't great but it worked well for small scratch marks. Added a duple-color clear coat after a thorough polishing. Turned out well and should be better protected. Next up was to replace the decals, which were long gone, but g