Ah yes, it's vintage bike time! Cleaning these older chromed parts is SO satisfying. Just like powerwashing your patio or pulling of this blue protective film on new stuff ;)
Just pure, non gimmicky, god-level craftsmanship. What a restoration. That cassette / rear hub difference was sooo satisfying. Lovely job..... As always ❤
Fantastic restoration. The care and attention to detail you put into these (and all) of your restorations and tune ups shines through in all your project videos.
Another beautiful restoration of a classic steel bike. The past 30 minutes is the best part of my week. Thank you Lee. The bottom bracket spin test is classic…you sure don’t get that kind of spin from a modern bottom bracket!! 😊. This bike deserves to be ridden for many years. Wonderful!!
Well done! Those look like the French Lyotard pedals. Commonly the toe straps were twisted as they passed through the pedals. This kept the buckles from slipping upwards when tightening them.
Fantastic restoration - as always! - of an entry level Celeste Green Bianchi. These bikes are still wonderful to ride and how good is that block and drivetrain! Amazing!
Really nice restoration of a really nice bike. Keep them coming Lee. There's loads of riders of a similar vintage to these wonderful machines out there who love watching this type of work. Thanks for making the video and for taking the time to upload.
Wonderful. The bearing work is always next level. The short mudguards gave me a wave of nostalgia for my own first 'proper' bike. Thanks and well done gents 👊
As always a beautiful restoration beautifully shot. You make a great team. Always delighted to get an alert there's a new video. Keep up the great work
WOW, absolutely Awesome Work. Your Videos are such a Inspiration for me to work on older Bikes, töö. I never be such a Genius on Bikes as you, but i have a few good Results in Restauration. Its tragic, that we have NO such good Bikeshop here in my Hometown. I hope you will bring us many many Videos and pls more such wonderful OLD Bikes. Greets from Germany
Bianchi calls this colour "Celeste" which is basically a pale turquoise blue, it has changed slightly over the years sometimes appearing lighter and more green (like this one) to more like a dark-ish-green-ish sky blue. Many different legends (mostly debunked) exist for its origin, the most popular are : It's the colour of the Milan sky, the eye colour of a queen/woman for whom Edoardo Bianchi made a bicycle, that it was originally a mixture of surplus military paint, and it was an homage to Napier blue which was known in early motor sports "the colour of Champions". Bianchi (the company) actually believe that the colour is ugly, so they conducted a poll asking Bianchi owners their option, and if it should be dropped as their main/official colour, 57% of those asked agreed the colour was ugly, but 88% of the same people said they should keep it because of the iconic status, many adding that although they hated it they would not purchase/ride one in any other colour.
Looks great well done Lee. I would suggest(not knowing the Bianchi description) sorting like sea foam green. Looks really good. Not wishing to talk out of turn if your already know but there is a centralising tool for those old Weinman sidepulls. Like an inverted Allen key. It can also be fine if you pop the rubber cover off, there are two thin 11 or 12mm nuts that lock against each other. If you can get a spanner on the back one and on the 10mm anchor bolt behind the fork crown or brake bridge and use both to centre the brake.
Always love your work but these vintage restorations are top quality. Also, it's a shade of green. (Going to have to edit this comment as the name "celeste" must derive from "celestial" as in sky, so therefore it's a blue).
Sea green, or sea foam green, west coast US if the terminology is regional. My sister had a kick scooter in maybe late 80's or early 90's in that color. I think she won it in a coloring contest from a store. I really like the color. Probably not my style, but it's aestheticly pleasing. That color had me eager to watch this rebuild.
What a tremendous restoration, thankyou for the share. I wonder if some caulking compound, such as white coloured silicon sealant could have been used on seat where the hole is to fill in the gap. It might just improve the look of the seat???? Thanks again
Vintage restorations are great but maybe consider mixing it up a little bit with regular services. I find the regular service vids more helpful as a home mechanic. Keep up the good work 🙌
Lee, wonderful restoration! Props to you and Simon for the entertainment. Would I be correct to assume you don't have any stickers in the Bianchi color scheme for the down tube and chain stay?
That is a lovely restoration. Personally I don't think the mudguards adds anything to the bike, and offers hardly any mud guarding anyway, but if it is actual period correct I suppose that does make it 'legitimate' to keep them. A nice set of full sized mud guards would probably look good on the bike though.
Love it, thanks for a lovely half hour. These old bikes really do look like they were crafted rather than popped out of a mould ❤ What sort of solution do you guys use in your ultrasonic cleaner? My bits (bike parts) never come out quite as shiny as yours do!
A bike for pootling along country lanes on a summer day, what a nice thought. I'm surprised you don't use any nitrile gloves on the strip down to protect your skin from all the oils and degreaser.
What a nice job you did there and how ridable it came out! The little scuffs here and there just add to the soul and patina. Green or blue? Somewere inbetween i guess. Typical Bianchi color...
As a kid I dreamed about a Bianchi bike in celeste with chrome on the fork and rear triangle. So I like this bike. But these mudguards aren't mudguards and also nit aero fenders. They are just stupid pieces. Get rid of them or install actual mudguards.
I was always told that when rebuilding headsets with separate bearings, fill the cups up and then take one bearing out and the headset will run smoother. What's your view on this.
Yep, gives bearings more room to move in the bearing races, stops the pock mark effect you get with caged bearings. When I was a shop mechanic we did this with hubs and bottom brackets too. Caged bearings are only used for quick assembly and not for the longevity of the component.
Are you sure that’s an ‘81? I bought one new from Halfords in October ‘85 that looked identical. Bag of crap was swapped for a Peugeot Robert Millar Replica a fortnight later.
Put the kettle on, a new bikespeeds 30 minute epic just dropped!
Ah yes, it's vintage bike time!
Cleaning these older chromed parts is SO satisfying. Just like powerwashing your patio or pulling of this blue protective film on new stuff ;)
Such a talent for these restorations and finding the right balance between replace and restore. Absolute quality 👌
Wow what a difference the colour of that frame is lovely 👍👌
Afternoon Bikespeeds 👋
Wow wow wow!!! Stunning!
Enjoy your weekend gents 🫡🍻
Just pure, non gimmicky, god-level craftsmanship. What a restoration. That cassette / rear hub difference was sooo satisfying. Lovely job..... As always ❤
What a stunner. Brilliant restoration. Beautiful bicycle, great video Lee.
Fantastic restoration. The care and attention to detail you put into these (and all) of your restorations and tune ups shines through in all your project videos.
Another beautiful restoration of a classic steel bike. The past 30 minutes is the best part of my week. Thank you Lee. The bottom bracket spin test is classic…you sure don’t get that kind of spin from a modern bottom bracket!! 😊. This bike deserves to be ridden for many years. Wonderful!!
happy to see a restoration as opposed to replacing everything.
All these vintage services seem to be so similar but it's great to watch
Well done! Those look like the French Lyotard pedals. Commonly the toe straps were twisted as they passed through the pedals. This kept the buckles from slipping upwards when tightening them.
Fantastic restoration of a beautiful bike! Great skill. Great video!
Fantastic restoration - as always! - of an entry level Celeste Green Bianchi. These bikes are still wonderful to ride and how good is that block and drivetrain! Amazing!
This videos are my meditation
Superb job; a pleasure to watch.❤
Really nice restoration of a really nice bike. Keep them coming Lee.
There's loads of riders of a similar vintage to these wonderful machines out there who love watching this type of work.
Thanks for making the video and for taking the time to upload.
Another top Quality restoration. Kudos
Wonderful. The bearing work is always next level. The short mudguards gave me a wave of nostalgia for my own first 'proper' bike. Thanks and well done gents 👊
I sure do like these videos, Lee. I always feel relaxed after watching. Thank you!
Beautiful restoration, thanks for the video.
As always a beautiful restoration beautifully shot. You make a great team. Always delighted to get an alert there's a new video. Keep up the great work
WOW, absolutely Awesome Work.
Your Videos are such a Inspiration for me to work on older Bikes, töö.
I never be such a Genius on Bikes as you, but i have a few good Results in Restauration.
Its tragic, that we have NO such good Bikeshop here in my Hometown.
I hope you will bring us many many Videos and pls more such wonderful OLD Bikes.
Greets from Germany
Stunning restoration currently working on one as I ride it and feel it out.
Bianchi calls this colour "Celeste" which is basically a pale turquoise blue, it has changed slightly over the years sometimes appearing lighter and more green (like this one) to more like a dark-ish-green-ish sky blue. Many different legends (mostly debunked) exist for its origin, the most popular are : It's the colour of the Milan sky,
the eye colour of a queen/woman for whom Edoardo Bianchi made a bicycle, that it was originally a mixture of surplus military paint, and it was an homage to Napier blue which was known in early motor sports "the colour of Champions".
Bianchi (the company) actually believe that the colour is ugly, so they conducted a poll asking Bianchi owners their option, and if it should be dropped as their main/official colour, 57% of those asked agreed the colour was ugly, but 88% of the same people said they should keep it because of the iconic status, many adding that although they hated it they would not purchase/ride one in any other colour.
Looks great well done Lee. I would suggest(not knowing the Bianchi description) sorting like sea foam green.
Looks really good. Not wishing to talk out of turn if your already know but there is a centralising tool for those old Weinman sidepulls. Like an inverted Allen key. It can also be fine if you pop the rubber cover off, there are two thin 11 or 12mm nuts that lock against each other. If you can get a spanner on the back one and on the 10mm anchor bolt behind the fork crown or brake bridge and use both to centre the brake.
Ahh love those old school bikes. Yet another brilliant video with it
Chainset spin test 👌🏼
Really lovely job on this old beauty.
Brilliant 👏🏻😎👍🏻
Another satisfying excellent job thanks a lot 👏
Oh and definitely green but Bianchi green 😊
"Celeste"... and yes it IS green !
Pleasure to watch.
Always love your work but these vintage restorations are top quality. Also, it's a shade of green. (Going to have to edit this comment as the name "celeste" must derive from "celestial" as in sky, so therefore it's a blue).
A beaut of a Bianchi! Love that bar tape, great choice 👍
sweet Bike!
Lovely job, i'd have just binned the stupid mudguards
Wow cool very nice
Another great job on a lovely bike.
Amazing job , another great video
Good!
impeccable!
Sea green, or sea foam green, west coast US if the terminology is regional. My sister had a kick scooter in maybe late 80's or early 90's in that color. I think she won it in a coloring contest from a store. I really like the color. Probably not my style, but it's aestheticly pleasing. That color had me eager to watch this rebuild.
Hang it up on the wall looks amazing and new again 😁😁
Thank you
Bellisimo 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
Ps that bike is definitely green 😅
another one brought back into great working order . especially the rear hub & freewheel 👌 I've always said Celeste green 🤔🚴
Lovely bike and beautiful work. Nicely done!
Celeste blue. Bianchi own color. 😊
beautiful!
Yasssss super Nice ❤
You are a genius
What a tremendous restoration, thankyou for the share. I wonder if some caulking compound, such as white coloured silicon sealant could have been used on seat where the hole is to fill in the gap. It might just improve the look of the seat???? Thanks again
Vintage restorations are great but maybe consider mixing it up a little bit with regular services. I find the regular service vids more helpful as a home mechanic. Keep up the good work 🙌
Beautiful job well done 👍
Lee, wonderful restoration! Props to you and Simon for the entertainment. Would I be correct to assume you don't have any stickers in the Bianchi color scheme for the down tube and chain stay?
something about a classic celeste classic Bianchi .. great video
That is a lovely restoration. Personally I don't think the mudguards adds anything to the bike, and offers hardly any mud guarding anyway, but if it is actual period correct I suppose that does make it 'legitimate' to keep them. A nice set of full sized mud guards would probably look good on the bike though.
Beautiful Bike❤ top Restoration/service👍🏻
Best Regards from Germany 😊✌🏻
Love it, thanks for a lovely half hour. These old bikes really do look like they were crafted rather than popped out of a mould ❤ What sort of solution do you guys use in your ultrasonic cleaner? My bits (bike parts) never come out quite as shiny as yours do!
A Celeste steel bianchi road bike with an Italian chrome group set might just be peak cool. Go ahead, try convince me otherwise
A bike for pootling along country lanes on a summer day, what a nice thought.
I'm surprised you don't use any nitrile gloves on the strip down to protect your skin from all the oils and degreaser.
Absolutely, Beautiful . That had to be the filthiest bike, you have restored . Italian bikes are my favorite . Thanks. KB
What a nice job you did there and how ridable it came out! The little scuffs here and there just add to the soul and patina. Green or blue? Somewere inbetween i guess. Typical Bianchi color...
super
As a kid I dreamed about a Bianchi bike in celeste with chrome on the fork and rear triangle. So I like this bike. But these mudguards aren't mudguards and also nit aero fenders. They are just stupid pieces. Get rid of them or install actual mudguards.
tops
I was always told that when rebuilding headsets with separate bearings, fill the cups up and then take one bearing out and the headset will run smoother. What's your view on this.
Yep, gives bearings more room to move in the bearing races, stops the pock mark effect you get with caged bearings. When I was a shop mechanic we did this with hubs and bottom brackets too. Caged bearings are only used for quick assembly and not for the longevity of the component.
Hi. Thinking about anodising. How we know what can and cannot go into the ultrasonic cleaner. I have heard that anodising can be damaged.
Great work. Do you remove, clean and refit the seatpost once it is off the bike stand?
Lovely! What chain did you use for simplex? I have a 74 bianchi with simplex but don't know what chain to replace it with
is there a more classic colour than Bianchi Celeste?
Lovely bike that! Do you use new ball bearings or is it ok to use the old ones?
Thanks 👍
🤩
👍
Green!😂😂
Did you switch from 23m to 25mm tires?
The colour is called celeste
Are you sure that’s an ‘81? I bought one new from Halfords in October ‘85 that looked identical. Bag of crap was swapped for a Peugeot Robert Millar Replica a fortnight later.
🍒
The whole process is amazing, and then you route the brake cables on the wrong side of the handlebars…
It is the english way to do it.
Cleaned up? Yes. Restored? Uh....no.
Bianchi Green or Pistachio.