1967 Bianchi Avanti Sport (Aquilotto)

[ByTheLake]

I do have a neat little 1967 Bianchi Avanti Sport moped. It features a folding frame for compact storage and a proprietary Bianchi 2-cycle engine.

I got it a year ago from a friend who wanted it out of his barn. It hadn't been started in more than 30 years, so I avoided the temptation of trying to start it and decided to do a complete frame-up rebuild. Much of the wiring harness was missing, and the magneto needed rewiring too. I could find no technical data for this Bianchi, so I had to create the wiring harness by drawing a schematic of all accessories, switches, and the magneto.

When it was finally put back together, it started after only a few seconds. It's a neat little machine, and gets used a few miles here and there for leisure.

http://www.forths.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Bianchi-Avanti-Sport-Engine-Covers-On.JPG

[littlehop]

Thats beautiful nice work!

[ByTheLake]

Thats beautiful nice work!Thanks for the kind comment. It's a unique moped for sure.

[wilmolee]

Good evening. I just started restoring my Bianchi. Do you have a shop or owners manual you would share? Thanks Jeff

[ByTheLake]

Good evening. I just started restoring my Bianchi. Do you have a shop or owners manual you would share? Thanks JeffHello Jeff,

I wish I had something to share, but I found nothing available for these mopeds. Maybe you'll have more luck finding something. I tried writing to Bianchi, which exists today solely as a bicycle brand within a larger company, but received no responses.

If you need any proprietary Bianchi parts, you may have to find a donor bike. I did see one or two on eBay last year, but these machines were heavy and shipping costs would be a factor.

Best of luck with your restoration. -Kevin

[moto]

You have a very nice little moped there. I don't think I ever saw a Bianchi before.

[usafstud]

very mint

[sooxia]

I have a twin to your bike but need to know value thanks Greg

[ByTheLake]

I have a twin to your bike but need to know value thanks GregI really have no idea about the value of these little mopeds. I've seen non-running ones going for $500 to $1000 on eBay, but I've always felt those were priced too high. I suppose it's worth whatever somebody is willing to spend.

Since it has a folding frame, it's a bit unusual, so that might add to the value.

[rjsimco]

I just happened by this site on a whim! I was the exclusive importer
of the Bianchi mopeds during the 1960's and 1970's. With my partner Fred Rodell we renamed the bike's Avanti Sport mainly because we were importing motor cycle helmets with the same name!
Your bike looks beautiful and very original. I will elaborate on the details in another post soon.

[ByTheLake]

I just happened by this site on a whim! I was the exclusive importer
of the Bianchi mopeds during the 1960's and 1970's. With my partner Fred Rodell we renamed the bike's Avanti Sport mainly because we were importing motor cycle helmets with the same name!
Your bike looks beautiful and very original. I will elaborate on the details in another post soon.Interesting! You're the first person who seems to have any historical information on these little mopeds.

Do you have any records of how many were imported? Is there any technical information available? Any sales brochures that can be scanned and posted? Can I help with any of that?

I don't ride my Avanti much, spending more time with my vintage Hondas, but it's an interesting little machine and I'll maintain it. Thanks so much for posting.

[rjsimco]

I have located and scaned the original "Operating And Maintenance Instructions" together with the original "Spare Parts List". If you or others are interested I can send to you by Email. Parts list is 25 pages and operating instructions are 4 pages.
We originally were planing to import the full line of Bianchi bikes but the line was very large and our research indicated that Italian bikes were not competitive in price to Far East product. But we were intrigued with the folding motorbike so we took a gamble and imported 100 then 500 more and another 200. The first and second lots were sold into the nitch markets like boating, camping, flying and of coarse the general public. The last 200 went very slow and we got concerned that the market was too thin. So we bailed out and sold the remaining inventory to a "job lot buyer" for 50 cents on the dollar. Probably a mistake but whatever!
We got a lot of free publicity from the likes of camping and motorhome publications, even a article in Time. There was a unique fascination with the bikes and we sold several to celebrates and movie stars.
I kept a very large inventory of spare parts and warehoused it for many years but some time in the mid eighties all the parts were stolen with other stuff, from a storage locker located in Houston, TX.
I could have built 5 or 6 complete bikes from the stolen parts, a real loss to be sure.
Thanks for the memories, Russ Simon

[ByTheLake]

I have located and scaned the original "Operating And Maintenance Instructions" together with the original "Spare Parts List". If you or others are interested I can send to you by Email. Parts list is 25 pages and operating instructions are 4 pages.
We originally were planing to import the full line of Bianchi bikes but the line was very large and our research indicated that Italian bikes were not competitive in price to Far East product. But we were intrigued with the folding motorbike so we took a gamble and imported 100 then 500 more and another 200. The first and second lots were sold into the nitch markets like boating, camping, flying and of coarse the general public. The last 200 went very slow and we got concerned that the market was too thin. So we bailed out and sold the remaining inventory to a "job lot buyer" for 50 cents on the dollar. Probably a mistake but whatever!
We got a lot of free publicity from the likes of camping and motorhome publications, even a article in Time. There was a unique fascination with the bikes and we sold several to celebrates and movie stars.
I kept a very large inventory of spare parts and warehoused it for many years but some time in the mid eighties all the parts were stolen with other stuff, from a storage locker located in Houston, TX.
I could have built 5 or 6 complete bikes from the stolen parts, a real loss to be sure.
Thanks for the memories, Russ SimonRuss, thanks for the wonderful information about the Bianchi mopeds. I am quite interested in the information you scanned. Please send to kevinforth@aol.com.

It's also interesting to hear about how you and Mr. Rodell partnered and imported these. I'd love to hear anything you're willing to share about those days. I'll put together a booklet about the history of this little folding bike.

Thanks much, Kevin

PS: My mini-restoration of the bike is at http://www.forths.com/blog/index.php/moped-restoration/

[gabysurf]

I have located and scaned the original "Operating And Maintenance Instructions" together with the original "Spare Parts List". If you or others are interested I can send to you by Email. Parts list is 25 pages and operating instructions are 4 pages.
We originally were planing to import the full line of Bianchi bikes but the line was very large and our research indicated that Italian bikes were not competitive in price to Far East product. But we were intrigued with the folding motorbike so we took a gamble and imported 100 then 500 more and another 200. The first and second lots were sold into the nitch markets like boating, camping, flying and of coarse the general public. The last 200 went very slow and we got concerned that the market was too thin. So we bailed out and sold the remaining inventory to a "job lot buyer" for 50 cents on the dollar. Probably a mistake but whatever!
We got a lot of free publicity from the likes of camping and motorhome publications, even a article in Time. There was a unique fascination with the bikes and we sold several to celebrates and movie stars.
I kept a very large inventory of spare parts and warehoused it for many years but some time in the mid eighties all the parts were stolen with other stuff, from a storage locker located in Houston, TX.
I could have built 5 or 6 complete bikes from the stolen parts, a real loss to be sure.
Thanks for the memories, Russ Simon

Hi There! My name is Gabriel. I am from Argentina. I am restoring a Bianchi moped. I read that you have part list and owners manual.
Please could you send me this material by email. It's important for me because moped is completely dismantled.


Thanks a lot.
Merry Christmas.

Gabriel

[rjsimco]

I can't send to you unless I can scan first so ask By The Lake, he can email to you.
Russ Simon

[Mindfulpassages]

Thanks for the kind comment. It's a unique moped for sure.


By the Lake--any chance I can get copies of the documentation you've put together for the Bianchi (manuals, anything else). I just got a hold of one today -a 1968 Bianchi sport in GREAT shape. It needs some tweaking and having manuals will really assist me.

Very best,

Mindful

[Mindfulpassages]

Hi There! My name is Gabriel. I am from Argentina. I am restoring a Bianchi moped. I read that you have part list and owners manual.
Please could you send me this material by email. It's important for me because moped is completely dismantled.


Thanks a lot.
Merry Christmas.

Gabriel
Hi Gabriel,

I'm trying to get in touch with By the Lake or you!. I just purchased a 1968 Bianchi Sport -- it runs really well. I'm wondering if you have any scanned documentation you could email me? I read that you were requesting materials from By the Lake. If you have these materials feel free to send to me. I think our connection first has to be made through the messaging system here.

Best,
Ted

[Tim99]

I have located and scaned the original "Operating And Maintenance Instructions" together with the original "Spare Parts List". If you or others are interested I can send to you by Email. Parts list is 25 pages and operating instructions are 4 pages.
We originally were planing to import the full line of Bianchi bikes but the line was very large and our research indicated that Italian bikes were not competitive in price to Far East product. But we were intrigued with the folding motorbike so we took a gamble and imported 100 then 500 more and another 200. The first and second lots were sold into the nitch markets like boating, camping, flying and of coarse the general public. The last 200 went very slow and we got concerned that the market was too thin. So we bailed out and sold the remaining inventory to a "job lot buyer" for 50 cents on the dollar. Probably a mistake but whatever!
We got a lot of free publicity from the likes of camping and motorhome publications, even a article in Time. There was a unique fascination with the bikes and we sold several to celebrates and movie stars.
I kept a very large inventory of spare parts and warehoused it for many years but some time in the mid eighties all the parts were stolen with other stuff, from a storage locker located in Houston, TX.
I could have built 5 or 6 complete bikes from the stolen parts, a real loss to be sure.
Thanks for the memories, Russ Simon

Hi Russ
I see some requests from others for documentation on the Bianchi Avanti folding motorbike. I also have one these bikes and would appreciate getting the Instructions and Parts List you have.
Many thanks, Tim