D
Deleted member 84692
Guest
Please educate me Bianchi experts!
Trying to help another with my woeful knowledge of Bianchi bikes. I never had a Bianchi racer out of hundreds of Italian bikes/frames (I must be allergic to them) so I am not familiar with their details for specific models. Frame was sourced from Italy so I assume is an Italian built frame and not Japanese built for its era. Repainted with possibly the wrong decals so good luck. Regardless, I thought the asking and paid prices were too high; but that would be if I was selling or buying and I do not base my purchase or selling costs based on frame size within reason (I sell x-small and x-large frames slighly lower compared to middle sizes because its helps move the bike in a much smaller market). I do know more than a few Italian sellers on ebay that I deal with directly, but I am unfamiliar with this one. The word "rare" often raises my hackles up, "very rare" makes me do a lot of research which usually results in the "not very rare" category. Basing rarity on a stock catalog size (which it is; Bianchi measures c-t; 51cm) just does not cut it with me; but that is just an opinion. Does anyone know many frames of a given size and model were made to be able to make that claim? I'm pretty sure Bianchi does not even know themselves.
My only thought on it is; where is the chrome? I thought with it being a "Specialissima model there would be more of the shiny stuff on it. Any true restoration would have it replated if the chrome was in poor condition and not just have it blasted and repainted.
Here are the new owner's comments and what they translated and posted from the advertisement. Also, sellers rebuttal to the buyers comment about F-bookers disagreeing with the identification by the seller. Unfortunately, not much imagery to help.
"I have been on the hunt for an extra small vintage Bianchi frame in Celeste (I'm 5'2 and need a 49cm frame) and it's been a challenge as the smaller vintage frames are pretty rare. I finally found this one on ebay that has clearly been restored -- the paint job appears to be so heavy that serial numbers are obscured. The seller said it's a 1984 Barcelona Specialissima but I've had people in a Facebook group tell me that isn't correct, that it's mislabeled, and that he applied different Bianchi decals when he restored it. I don't really care if it's most likely that I was ripped off because the small sized frame alone is worth a lot to me personally but I am curious about the actual model and it's worth. Can anyone help? Photos of the original listing are attached. Seller listed at $1,396 and accepted my offer of $1,000. If you go through the photos you'll also see his response to me questioning the model after hearing from people on Facebook. I appreciate any insight from you all!
Text translated from the original listing which was written in Italian:
English:
"for foreign friends I ship all over the world, ask for a quote. europe €80. asia and america €100 australia150 Hello everyone, in this auction I propose an excellent vintage frame, it is a very rare Bianchi built around 1984, the frame is of the highest range, detailed description follows: steel frame with Bianchi logo engraved in the saddle node and in the fork head, features white dropouts with adjusters and reinforced fork. measurements center center vertical cm 49.5x52 cm horizontal center center head tube length 9.5cm chainstay width 127mm seat tube diameter 27.2mm 28 wheel holder The frame is straight and healthy, it has been professionally restored by sandblasting it, checking its flatness on a template bench. The chassis was painted in a light blue livery. with decals compliant with the original, all protected by transparent varnish. Mark visible in the last photo. highlighted by a red arrow, a micro drop of brass/paint, look at the detail in the photo, it's a trifle, but I want to point it out practically invisible…. In the sun the paint shines intensely. Now the frame is ready to assemble. I supply specific brake bushings and cable gland plate. Look carefully at the photos and buy what you see. Collection at my home is welcome, alternatively I ship with the Italian post office, shipping costs include the rate, packaging and labor, it is ready to assemble, wishing everyone happiness and prosperity I greet you and for those who aim for the best to win. I ACCEPT PROPOSALS, I RESPOND TO ALL sales formula seen and liked without guarantee/return."
(Note: the original Italian text was also posted, but I thought it would not add anything to the topic)
Not known if these were the only photos in the original listing, but only 2 provided:
Trying to help another with my woeful knowledge of Bianchi bikes. I never had a Bianchi racer out of hundreds of Italian bikes/frames (I must be allergic to them) so I am not familiar with their details for specific models. Frame was sourced from Italy so I assume is an Italian built frame and not Japanese built for its era. Repainted with possibly the wrong decals so good luck. Regardless, I thought the asking and paid prices were too high; but that would be if I was selling or buying and I do not base my purchase or selling costs based on frame size within reason (I sell x-small and x-large frames slighly lower compared to middle sizes because its helps move the bike in a much smaller market). I do know more than a few Italian sellers on ebay that I deal with directly, but I am unfamiliar with this one. The word "rare" often raises my hackles up, "very rare" makes me do a lot of research which usually results in the "not very rare" category. Basing rarity on a stock catalog size (which it is; Bianchi measures c-t; 51cm) just does not cut it with me; but that is just an opinion. Does anyone know many frames of a given size and model were made to be able to make that claim? I'm pretty sure Bianchi does not even know themselves.
My only thought on it is; where is the chrome? I thought with it being a "Specialissima model there would be more of the shiny stuff on it. Any true restoration would have it replated if the chrome was in poor condition and not just have it blasted and repainted.
Here are the new owner's comments and what they translated and posted from the advertisement. Also, sellers rebuttal to the buyers comment about F-bookers disagreeing with the identification by the seller. Unfortunately, not much imagery to help.
"I have been on the hunt for an extra small vintage Bianchi frame in Celeste (I'm 5'2 and need a 49cm frame) and it's been a challenge as the smaller vintage frames are pretty rare. I finally found this one on ebay that has clearly been restored -- the paint job appears to be so heavy that serial numbers are obscured. The seller said it's a 1984 Barcelona Specialissima but I've had people in a Facebook group tell me that isn't correct, that it's mislabeled, and that he applied different Bianchi decals when he restored it. I don't really care if it's most likely that I was ripped off because the small sized frame alone is worth a lot to me personally but I am curious about the actual model and it's worth. Can anyone help? Photos of the original listing are attached. Seller listed at $1,396 and accepted my offer of $1,000. If you go through the photos you'll also see his response to me questioning the model after hearing from people on Facebook. I appreciate any insight from you all!
Text translated from the original listing which was written in Italian:
English:
"for foreign friends I ship all over the world, ask for a quote. europe €80. asia and america €100 australia150 Hello everyone, in this auction I propose an excellent vintage frame, it is a very rare Bianchi built around 1984, the frame is of the highest range, detailed description follows: steel frame with Bianchi logo engraved in the saddle node and in the fork head, features white dropouts with adjusters and reinforced fork. measurements center center vertical cm 49.5x52 cm horizontal center center head tube length 9.5cm chainstay width 127mm seat tube diameter 27.2mm 28 wheel holder The frame is straight and healthy, it has been professionally restored by sandblasting it, checking its flatness on a template bench. The chassis was painted in a light blue livery. with decals compliant with the original, all protected by transparent varnish. Mark visible in the last photo. highlighted by a red arrow, a micro drop of brass/paint, look at the detail in the photo, it's a trifle, but I want to point it out practically invisible…. In the sun the paint shines intensely. Now the frame is ready to assemble. I supply specific brake bushings and cable gland plate. Look carefully at the photos and buy what you see. Collection at my home is welcome, alternatively I ship with the Italian post office, shipping costs include the rate, packaging and labor, it is ready to assemble, wishing everyone happiness and prosperity I greet you and for those who aim for the best to win. I ACCEPT PROPOSALS, I RESPOND TO ALL sales formula seen and liked without guarantee/return."
(Note: the original Italian text was also posted, but I thought it would not add anything to the topic)
Not known if these were the only photos in the original listing, but only 2 provided:
