Vintage Bianchi Frame

[Vintage Paintworx]

Picked up today, customer wants the chrome cleaned up a bit and patina paint it celeste green.

 

[bulldog1935]

Velobase dates that headbadge to 20/30s
http://velobase.com/ListHeadBadges.aspx - page 6

though the drop-outs sure make it look newer - definitely 70s dropouts. Maybe a "commemorative" model?

no offense, but it's kind of a shame to re-paint that frame.

 

[Vintage Paintworx]

Velobase dates that headbadge to 20/30s
http://velobase.com/ListHeadBadges.aspx - page 6

though the drop-outs sure make it look newer - definitely 70s dropouts. Maybe a "commemorative" model?

no offense, but it's kind of a shame to re-paint that frame.

Maybe so, but that's what the customer wants.

 

[bulldog1935]

Maybe so, but that's what the customer wants.

understood - hope you don't mind, but I posted your photos on CR hoping a member could identify the year - I'll report back if I get a hit.

 

[Vintage Paintworx]

understood - hope you don't mind, but I posted your photos on CR hoping a member could identify the year - I'll report back if I get a hit.

Sure, no problem.

 

[bulldog1935]

Sure, no problem.

From my friend Bob F,
Thats a 1960s Specialissima (or Competizone)
Bob

 

[Vintage Paintworx]

From my friend Bob F,
Thats a 1960s Specialissima (or Competizone)
Bob

Thanks for the info.

 

[bulldog1935]

Thanks for the info.

A different Bob F chimed in with this beautiful photoset
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8379107@N03/sets/72157606458897108/with/2718774502/
make sure you notice the Bianchi-stamped saddle.

 

[juvela]

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Yes on 1960's dating.

If frame came without a headset this might present a parts search challenge.

If you wish to think of it as a Competition model then you can employ a Bianchi headset which would not make for a difficult or costly venture.

This is clearly shown in the eleventh photo of the gallery linked to by @bulldog35 above.

The Specialissima model came with a Campagnolo-Bianchi headset which is quite a rare and dear item.

Either way the headset takes 1/8" balls. Are the bearing cups present in the ends of the head tube?

Here is a closeup view of a 1960 Specialissima head -

Did a spot of web searching for a Campag - Bianchi headset but was unsuccessful.

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[Iverider]

Somewhere I have a headset or most of the parts of a headset that fit an integrated head cup type setup. The races insert into the frame cup. I wish I could remember what this type of headset is called. Anyway, I can dig it out and take some measurements if needed.

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Yes on 1960's dating.

If frame came without a headset this might present a parts search challenge.

If you wish to think of it as a Competition model then you can employ a Bianchi headset which would not make for a difficult or costly venture.

This is clearly shown in the eleventh photo of the gallery linked to by @bulldog35 above.

The Specialissima model came with a Campagnolo-Bianchi headset which is quite a rare and dear item.

Either way the headset takes 1/8" balls. Are the bearing cups present in the ends of the head tube?

Here is a closeup view of a 1960 Specialissima head -

View attachment 692641

Did a spot of web searching for a Campag - Bianchi headset but was unsuccessful.

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