This is a very interesting 1989 Bianchi Cyclocross bike. It is not an early Cyclocross bike but it is right in that time frame of when the Cyclocross bike was evolving more into its modern version. As a lot of you know I love Cyclocross amd I really love the Cyclocross bicycle and to go a little deeper the go anywhere non mountain bike, so this Bianchi is extremely interesting to me.
The Bianchi Axis is a little rough but I think it should come back very nicely. The Axis will not be getting new paint but the rest of the bike will be getting a total restoration along with new cables, cable housings, tubes, tires, handlebar tape, bearings and slightly worn Brooks saddle. I think the Axis will be one great riding bike that doesn't look to bad either.
The Bianchi had reflected tape all over it. The tape covered all the decals and even was on the crank and some components. I did not remove the tape but the tape did leave a nasty sticky film all over everything. It will be challenge.
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Headset |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Brake Yoke |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Brake |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Rim |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Brake Levers |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Bar Cons |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem Cable Hanger |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Fork Crown |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Top Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Lug |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Tube & Old Tape Glue |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Bottom Bracket |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Crank |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Derailleur |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Lug |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Brake Caliper |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Chain Stay |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Derailleur |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stuck Headset Cups |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Before
Headset Cup |
I broke the Bianchi down to the frame. The frame paint is a little worse then I thought but still should be descent. The sticky glue residue from the reflective tape is nasty. The glue covers all the decal areas and long surfaces.
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Top Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Tube & Old Tape Glue |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Rear Brake Bosses |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Some of old reflective tape. |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Drop Outs |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Fork |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blade |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blade & Old Goop |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blade |
It took a good deal of work to remove all the tape glue residue but after it was removed I started the polishing process. The frame actually polished beautifully. It stills has a few areas that are rough with some rust but not bad at all. It is a lot better then it was.
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Top Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Down Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Tube |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Stays |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Stays |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Chain Stays |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Drop Outs |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blade |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blade |
The headset and bottom bracket are a little rough. I put everything in the crock pot for a an hour or so and then worked through the polishing. The pieces polished very nice considering where they started. The bottom b racket bearings need to be replaced as they where egg shaped and corroded. Over all I am very happy with the results of the headset and bottom bracket.
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Before |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Polished |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Pressing Headset Cups |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Headset Cups Pressed |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Headset Bearings Packed |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Headset Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Headset Complete |
The handlebars had some thick padded tape and duct tape on them. The stem had some deep etching in the aluminum surface. I removed the tape from the handlebars and started the cleaning and polishing process. The stem polished nicely, it is not perfect but much much better, the etching was deeper in some spots then I felt comfortable removing that much material. Over all the stem and headset turned out nicely. The built in cable hanger on the stem isn't perfect but better.
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Handlebars Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Handlebars Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Stem & Handlebars Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Handlebars Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Stem Before |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Handlebars & Stem
Polished |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Handlebars Polished |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Stem Polshed |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Stem Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Stem & Handlebars Complete |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Stem & Handlebars Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Stem & Handlebars Complete |
I really really like these Die Comp cantilever brakes. They are a little complicated in design but when installed they are extremely easy to adjust. I like them a lot! The cantilever brakes took a good deal of work to restore but it was worth every bit, they are wonderful and look great installed!
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Cantilever Brakes Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Cantilever Brakes Exploded View |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Cantilever Brake Polished |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Cantilever Brakes
Complete |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Cantilever Brakes
Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Cantilever Brakes Complete |
The seat post was pretty straight forward. Clean and polish. It looks great installed and will look even better when the Brooks is installed.
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Seat Post Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Seat Post Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Seat Post Polished |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Seat Post Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Seat Post Installed |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Seat Post Installed |
Below is a photo of how the bottom bracket bearings looked. New where installed.
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bad Bottom Bracket Bearings |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - New Bottom Bracket Bearings Packed |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bottom Bracket Complete |
The crank had some heavy etching and all the goop from the old reflective tape. I worked through the polishing grits and wheels. The crank is did not polish perfect but it polished very nicely. I am very happy with the crank. It looks even better installed!
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Crank Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Crank Exploded View |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Crank Polished |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Crank Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Crank Installed |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Crank Complete |
I love the derailleurs. They are late Sun Tour derailleurs. I cleaned all the pieces and then worked through the polishing wheels. The derailleurs turned out great especially the way they started.
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Derailleurs Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Derailleur Before |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Derailleur Before
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Derailleur Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Derailleur Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Derailleur Polished |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Derailleur Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Derailleur Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Derailleur Installed |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Derailleur Installed |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Derailleur Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Derailleur Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Derailleur Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Derailleur Exploded |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Derailleur Polished |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Derailleur Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Derailleur Installed |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Derailleurs Complete |
The brake levers where next. I cleaned the brake levers and worked through hand polish so I wouldn't remove the black script. Installed the brake levers look good but hard to tell with out the new handlebar tape installed yet.
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Brake Levers Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Brake Levers Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Brake Levers Installed |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Brake Levers Complete |
The wheels where next. The wheels have Sun Tour hubs that I like very much but are hard to use. I had a Set of these hubs on an early Trek 790 Multi-Track. I loved those hubs but when the cassette wore out I could not find a replacement. It takes a very special built cassette to fit the free hub that I was never able to find. This cassette still has a lot of life in it. The wheel hubs where in a bad need of a rebuild, the bearings where worn oblong and the old grease was hard and gritty like sand paper. Over all the wheels turned out very nice and spin great! The rims look brand new. With the new Panaracer Tires the wheels look great installed!!
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Wheel Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Old Grease |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Old Grease |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Cassette Before |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub
Polsihed |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub Polished |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Wheel Bearings
Packed |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Wheel Axle Pieces
Ready |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - New Panaracer & Tubes |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Rear Wheel Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Wheel Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Wheel Hub Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Wheel Rim Before |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Wheel Hub
Old Nasty Grease |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Wheel Rim Polished |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Wheel Rim Polished |
 |
Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Wheel Bearings
Packed |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Wheel Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Front Wheel Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Wheels Complete |
A slightly worn but very nice Brooks saddle will be isntalled. It looks fantastic installed with the Cielste color.
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Brooks Saddle |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Brooks Saddle |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Brooks Saddle Installed |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Brooks Saddle Installed |
I think this is the rarest part of the Bianchi, Sun Tour 7 speed Bar Con index shift levers! So very cool!! I gave the shift levers a good cleaning and lubricating. They levers came out nice and work perfect!
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Shift Levers Before |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Shift Levers After |
New cables and cable housings where installed along with new handlebar tape. The bianchi is really come together!
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - New Cables |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Cables Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Cables Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Cables Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - New Handlebar Tape |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Handlebar Tape Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Handlebar Tape Complete |
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Chain Installed |
That completes the Bianchi Axis. The Bianchi turned out great! I finished the Bianchi just in time for the cold hard rain to start. I will have to get outdoor final photos later.
 |
| Bianchi Axis Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
nice rebuild man. those late 80's / early 90's Axis and Equinox (the higher end model with Prestige tubing and full Suntour XC parts) were nice riding bikes.
ReplyDeleteDo you remember what was the seatpost diameter on this?
ReplyDeleteCool bike. DO you know the size and some of the geometry?
ReplyDelete