In a message dated 11/12/00 5:08:41 PM Eastern Standard Time,
Huthornton@aol.com writes:
> I have a 1989 Bianchi Mondiale Serial # 9919 and 9 A on the bottom bracket.
> As far as I can tell from several Bianchis of that era, the single number
> refers to the year 198x, so that 9 is 1989. I think the letter refers to
a
> period (month?) of the year the frame was manufactured.
> The Mondiale was made of SLX and was almost top of the line with a
> Campagnolo
> Croce d'Aune groupset with one or two cheaper substitutions (like brake
> levers). I believe the Giro was a slightly cheaper model with possibly
> Athena components, but basically the same frame.
> The Mondiale was made in the Reparto Corse and had chromium plated RH
> chainstay and Gipiemme dropouts. It had a braze-on front derailleur
bracket.
>
> I think that year, only the Reparto Corse frames had the eagles and name
> Bianchi on the fork crown. Their better frames in previous years also had
> Bianchi engraved on the top of the seat stays, but mine has cheap stickers
> instead.
>
I have a Bianchi SLX frame which was thought to be around an 87-88. It has Gipiemme dropouts, derailleur tab, no engravings or stampings in lugs or seatstay caps, and had more than it's share of Bianchi stickers/decals. Mine may have had chrome dropouts and rt chainstay but had some repair work done so it only had the left dropout chromed.
Mine is stamped: 9 A 7961 also has Bianchi stamped into the bottom bracket, shows faintly through the paint. Never have decided what model it is, maybe it is a Mondiale. It is pretty light, and has the distinction of being the only bike I have that ever went into a violent shimmy! Going to inflict a complete Gipiemme group on this some day soon. Anyone have pedals?
Pete Geurds
Douglassville, Pa