In a message dated 11/19/03 3:32:34 PM Pacific Standard Time,
dhatfield750@yahoo.com writes:
> Is there a way to tell what model Bianchi this is?
> Serial No. 160788. See photo link below,
> (Specialissima or Competizione?)This bike had been
> repainted many years ago. So no decals. It has the
> screw in the back of the head tube. Has Brooks B-17
> saddle (never had a tag)stamped 61. Campagnolo parts
> include seat post, Gran Sport front and rear
> derailler, HF hubs with oil clips, shifters, drop outs
> and crank. Universal 61 brakes. Colors? Would that
> depend on the model. What colors can I consider for
> the restoration. What small specks of original paint I
> can find appear to be a coppertone or gold color.
> Thanks in advance
>
What size is the Campagnolo seatpost? Specialissimas were made of SL tubing and all had 27.2 posts. Competiziones were made of SP and had either 26.8 or 27.0mm posts. Most of the Competiziones I've seen, came with steel Magistroni cranks and Gran Sport derailleurs. Most of the Specialissimas came with Campy alloy cranks and Record derailleurs. Your serial number indicates a likely year of 1960, which would predate the record derailleurs and the Universal Model (19) 61 brakes. It would be interesting if you would check the date on your hub lock nuts. Is there a headbadge? If there is no headbadge, it MAY be a Team Issue. Is there chrome on the ends of the forks and stays, or just the headlugs, fork crown and drop out faces? Among the stock colors are: blue, green, black, root beer, red and probably some others. Team issues came in Celeste (very different from the new colors) and a Salmon color. I highly recommend Ed Litton for the paint. He just did a Team that is within 25 serial numbers from mine and mine will be done soon. He has all the decals. Stevan Thomas Alameda, CA ps. the picture link doesn't work for me, I'm not registered with Yahoo.