Mystery 12-Speed

[54shadow]

A coworker of mine, gave me her late, husband's 12-speed road bike. It is super light. No head badge. On top of the fork is the letter, "B," stamped into it. It has Shimano 600 components through out. There is a serial number on the bottom of the frame: AS431099. The rims are, Wobler Super Champion Gentleman 81. On the handle bars it has a, 3 ttt on one side and the Olympic symbols on the other with Competizione on the other side. Have found listings for the components on eBay, but, still drawing a blank on the frame. What say you all?

 

[Wildcat]

I think older Bianchi bikes have a B stamped into the forks like that.

 

[marius.suiram]

It is not a low end bike, Shimano 600 tricolor and 3ttt stem are high end components.
I think it is a repaint Bianchi (after the "B" on the fork). I am sure the head badge is under the new paint. Bad idea to repaint it...
Don't know the model. Probably late '80s, Japan made.
You'll get a complete answer if you post it on the bikeforums.net.
Curious if the hole group is Shimano 600. (including brakes and brake levers, front derailleur, hubs). Anyway a Shimano 600 tricolor complete group may bring you some good money on ebay.

 

[54shadow]

It is not a low end bike, Shimano 600 tricolor and 3ttt stem are high end components.
I think it is a repaint Bianchi (after the "B" on the fork). I am sure the head badge is under the new paint. Bad idea to repaint it...
Don't know the model. Probably late '80s, Japan made.
You'll get a complete answer if you post it on the bikeforums.net.
Curious if the hole group is Shimano 600. (including brakes and brake levers, front derailleur, hubs). Anyway a Shimano 600 tricolor complete group may bring you some good money on ebay.

The former owner was in the Air Force, so, he could have bought it, overseas. I made a promise to my coworker, not to sell it or modify it, going to keep and ride. Thanks for the info!

 

[54shadow]

It is not a low end bike, Shimano 600 tricolor and 3ttt stem are high end components.
I think it is a repaint Bianchi (after the "B" on the fork). I am sure the head badge is under the new paint. Bad idea to repaint it...
Don't know the model. Probably late '80s, Japan made.
You'll get a complete answer if you post it on the bikeforums.net.
Curious if the hole group is Shimano 600. (including brakes and brake levers, front derailleur, hubs). Anyway a Shimano 600 tricolor complete group may bring you some good money on ebay.

It is all Shimano 600, the rims are by Wobler.

 

[marius.suiram]

Check the stem for cracks. It is possible when is used an undersized bar.
http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1030491-could-ve-been-bad.html

 

[LukeTheJoker]

I have a frame and fork set with only the B on the forks too. Interested to know if you get a positive identification!

Luke.

 

[54shadow]

Check the stem for cracks. It is possible when is used an undersized bar.
http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1030491-could-ve-been-bad.html

Thanks for this link! Yes, I will be going over the bike, thoroughly, before I attempt to ride it anywhere.

 

[ChimeraCycle]

Looks like shimano golden arrow shifters. They were the 105 before 105.

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

 

[54shadow]

Looks like shimano golden arrow shifters. They were the 105 before 105.

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

Thanks, more info in the hopper!

 

[ChimeraCycle]

I would be super stoked if i were you! Looks like an amazing rider. Biggest shame in the repaint us not knowing the cut of the steel, imo. 531 vs chromo vs hi ten (!?) vs...... is the bike very light?

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

 

[ChimeraCycle]

& I vote no on Bianchi. Lugs are nice, build is nice, everything lines up nice for Bianchi, but the shape of that "B" just doesn't smell right to me.

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

 

[54shadow]

I would be super stoked if i were you! Looks like an amazing rider. Biggest shame in the repaint us not knowing the cut of the steel, imo. 531 vs chromo vs hi ten (!?) vs...... is the bike very light?

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

It is, super light. The former owner, was the type that got the best and didn't spare the pennies, he was of the school of thought, to get quality that will last.

 

[54shadow]

& I vote no on Bianchi. Lugs are nice, build is nice, everything lines up nice for Bianchi, but the shape of that "B" just doesn't smell right to me.

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

It is a mystery.

 

[Wildcat]

Looks like the same lugs and fork crown. My money is on Bianchi.

 

[54shadow]

Looks like the same lugs and fork crown. My money is on Bianchi.

Bingo!

 

[marius.suiram]

and the serial number is like Bianchi's. Is the s.n. on the seat tube, right?
http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/70572-bianchi-serial-number-identification.html

 

[54shadow]

and the serial number is like Bianchi's. Is the s.n. on the seat tube, right?
http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/70572-bianchi-serial-number-identification.html

It is on the very bottom of the frame.

 

[alistair clark]

Really a nice bike! Should be a great ride. I even like the paint job. Had one, sold it, now wish I didn't (sellers remorse)

 

[54shadow]

Really a nice bike! Should be a great ride. I even like the paint job. Had one, sold it, now wish I didn't (sellers remorse)

Yep, keeping the paint job, part of what makes the bike, what it is. I hear you on the seller's remorse, sold my, 1979, Motobacane Gran Jubilee, some years ago, now, I have a bike that can take its place.