The first step is to find the frame of choice.
March 13-20
Let’s go to eBay and see
what’s around.
Found it! 1980’s
vintage 62cm Bianchi Champion Di Italia frame. All Columbus tubing with Gipiemme dropouts and an Ofmega headset included. The
auction started at $19.99. I was the proud owner for $78.00.
A week later it was at my door.
March 31
After close inspection of the tubing and feeling confident the tubing was in good shape it
was time to start removing the useless appendages.
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Frame Mods
April-3
The derailleur hanger, cable guides and shifter mounts have to go.
I have respaced the frame to accept a 120 mm hub.Do a little hacksawing, grinding
and filing and the frame is ready to go out and get sandblasted and powder coated.
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What parts do we have , what do we need.
April 6-14
The parts I had, the parts I had to get and the frame returns.
Selle Italia Future Saddle..light,leather and no rips. A very used Campagnolo
Record 172.5mm crank arms with a new 46 tooth TA Specialites ring. Campagnolo 70X111 Bottom Bracket. I have 3 of them but
this is the only one with a 70mm shell. Campagnolo Centaur front brake.(after my crash 2 years ago I promised the Mrs I wouldn't
ride without a front brake). A no name 17 tooth cog, new KMC chain, used Shimano 324 pedals and a stem I don't like a Technomic
stem, Dura-Ace lock ring, a 27.2 no name silver seatpost, a set of take off Continental Ultra 3000 28C tires and a bmx brake
lever with a piece of brake cable housing. I added a Nitto B115 450 cm handlebar with a couple of bmx grips and a new inner
brake cable.
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April-14 and 15
My task starts with the frame setup.
I did some work on it today but not enough.
I installed the seatpost bolt, bottom bracket, headset and fork.
April 15 So I got the driv train together with a change. Thanks to Sheldon Brown and Jay Jackson from Harris Cyclery
I was able to put this nice Soma 17 tooth cog on the wheel.It looks so much better than the black no name cog. Another problem
I came up with is the seat post bolt broke. I guess it was just it's time. I borrowed one from another bike and ordered a
replacement.The Selle Italia saddle would not fit on the seatpost. So out from under the work bench pops this old Brooks 17
a bit of proofide and it's useable again. It looks better in the picture than it really is.I also added a bottle cage and
some hardware.
Yea it's raining out.
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Finished Product !
April-16
Thirty Four days ago I started Project Bianchi.
It is now a complete fixed gear bike.
This was a fun and interesting project. I am a bit sorry it is completed.
But than again it is never really completed.
A few things have to happen.
The headset is a bit sticky with my weight on the bike. It needs to be replaced. I ordered one from Chris King. The
saddle is in poor condition and I am not real happy with the seatpost. I need one that is a little more retro. I took it for
a short ride about two miles and was quite pleased. It is hard to ride with a big silly grin on your face. Tomorrow will be
the big test I plan on a nice twenty mile ride to see how it handles.
All in all it would have been cheaper to buy one of my new bikes even at retail prices. I plan on turning this bike
into my commuter. If you look close you can see the NYC anti theift device I have installed on the saddle. A few more
thing have to be done before I can leave this locked to a pole in New York.
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The bike as it is used everyday.
Watch for the last update.
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