View Full Version : Found a bike at the dump


AlexCad5
11-12-2006, 10:39 PM
Backing up at the dump, I spotted a bike. Just for fun I took a look at it and it turned out to be a Lugged Steel Bianchi and the frame appeared to be in pretty good shape. No rust, good chrome, in fact most of the damage to the paint probably happened in taking the bike to the dump. So I ditched the rear wheel, and put the bike in the back of the family minivan.
After taking off the refectors, the Universal cantiliver brakes, the Suntour rear derailer, the brake levers, cluncky pedals, and bar end shifters, I cleaned her up. The paint is quite a pretty metallic blue with few surface scratches. The scratches that are there are clear through the paint. That said, there is very little damage to the TT and seat tube and only a couple of nicks to the seat stays and the head tube. The Downtube has more scratching. The lugs are perfect. No scatches and no rust.
There are very few stickers left, just the head badge and what is left of a "Made in Italy" sticker. I assume the owner had removed the others.
The big bummer is there is a kick stand bracket that I didn't notice innitially.
I'm thinking this is a 70's era bike, from looking at the equipment. Very few allen heads, all of the equipment is afixed with nuts and bolts, and also of low quality.
There is an ancient Campy front D. which is pretty interesting. I haven't figured out how to remove the cranks yet. They have resisted my attempts so far.
I'll post some pics tomorrow and see if anyone can give me an estimated date on the bike. Rear spacing is 126mm BTW
Unfortunately, it's too big for me, at 59cm CTC for both ST and ST. It would probably be a pretty nice riding frame once you get rid of all the crappy equipment and give it some upgrades.
I'll prolly try to get some matching touch up paint and bianchi decals, and try to find it a nice home.
Thoughts? Comments?

asawlrider123456789
11-12-2006, 11:00 PM
sounds great. must see pics!!!!

Tugboat
11-12-2006, 11:49 PM
Sounds like the perfect candidate for a single speed make-over... good find!

racerx
11-16-2006, 05:15 AM
at what you could do with it...

Before and after shot of a $3 yard sale bike. Sounds similar to your find... But beware, it is a slippery slope. By spring you'll be tapping your savings to feed your growing lusts...

More inexpensive conversions are here:
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=78680

the_dude
11-16-2006, 05:59 AM
i've found an old jamis mtb, an early 90's merlin road frame, a cannondale frame, a few ultegra/open pro wheels, a nearly complete chorus group, a couple carbon forks, and countless other parts. i don't understand why people throw away the things that they do, especially with the advent of ebay.

AlexCad5
11-16-2006, 06:14 AM
i've found an old jamis mtb, an early 90's merlin road frame, a cannondale frame, a few ultegra/open pro wheels, a nearly complete chorus group, a couple carbon forks, and countless other parts. i don't understand why people throw away the things that they do, especially with the advent of ebay.

Cool finds, especially the Merlin. I wouldn't touch the carbon forks for all the tea in china (now that's an old saying!) Maybe they were my old crashed out carbon forks I sent to the dump.:D

Having trouble uploading photos. It says uploading photos, please wait. So I go take a shower, get dressed and it's still telling me to wait. I must be doing something wrong.