Stevan Thomas wrote:
>
> Does anyone know of a serial number list, or other means, that can be used to
> date an older Bianchi frame? Mine is a Competizione model (identical to a
> Specialissima except that it has SP tubing instead of SL tubing) that must be
> post 1960 as it has the blue Campagnolo Gruppo Record decal. It has the long
> drop outs with a small hole over where the derailleur threads in. What year
> did the drop outs change to the ones without this hole? What was it for?
> Stevan Thomas
> Alameda, CA
There is no list of serial numbers for Bianchi. The best you can do is
to compile a list of known, when they were bought and their serial
numbers to compare your bike against. This is currently being done with
Cinelli http://www.petry.org/
The Gran Sport drop out dates to 1951 and the introduction of the Gran Sport derailleur. The small hole is for the end of the spring of the upper pivot of the single pulley Sport derailleur. They were in use up through the sixties.
It is important to note that a small manufacturer like Campagnolo makes a lot of one part and then moves on to retool for the next part and makes a lot of those. They don't make all the parts every year, but make enough at one time for their future needs.
The updated Campagnolo Timeline can be viewed at http://www.velo-retro.com
Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, Southern California