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Yet another Bianchi

Just as the Raleigh Sports rebuild was starting to wind down, I had Yet Another Bianchi roll into my life. This one is a 1980 or 1981 Bianchi Sport belonging to a friend, who has owned it since new.

The Sport was made in Japan with a relatively heavy high-tensile steel frame, so it was toward the lower end of the early '80s Bianchi line-up. Still, it's a lovely bike, with nice Tange lugs, relaxed geometry and a long, comfortable wheelbase.

While the bike had always been loved and stored indoors, it hadn't seen much of any maintenance and needed a thorough cleaning and tune-up.

Step one: disassemble and polish up the frame and forks.

The Bianchi Sport as it came to me, completely original, down to the Bianchi-branded tires.
The Bianchi Sport as it came to me, completely original, down to the Bianchi-branded tires.
I really like these Campy-like SR cranks.
I really like these Campy-like SR cranks.
The original cotton handlebar wrap and 'suicide' Dia Compe brake levers can be seen here.
The original cotton handlebar wrap and 'suicide' Dia Compe brake levers can be seen here.
The front hub, and a close-up view of the aftermarket cobwebs.
The front hub, and a close-up view of the aftermarket cobwebs.
The Dia-Compe centerpull brakes still sport their original pads.
The Dia-Compe centerpull brakes still sport their original pads.
The steel handlebars had picked up some surface rust where sweat had soaked through the cotton bar tape. They're still structurally solid, though, and should clean up well.
The steel handlebars had picked up some surface rust where sweat had soaked through the cotton bar tape. They're still structurally solid, though, and should clean up well.
I kept the stem attached to the bars to keep track of the preferred bar angle.
I kept the stem attached to the bars to keep track of the preferred bar angle.
I stripped the frame completely, gave it a good bath, and polished it up with Turtle Wax.
I stripped the frame completely, gave it a good bath, and polished it up with Turtle Wax.
The chromed fork, after cleaning, and with the left side polished and the right side as found.
The chromed fork, after cleaning, and with the left side polished and the right side as found.
It's possible the chain may have been rubbing for awhile.
It's possible the chain may have been rubbing for awhile.

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See all the Bianchi Sport posts.

Tags: bianchi