Restoring Guerciotti
 

Does anybody know anyone who restores vintage bikes? My brother has a Guerciotti and wants it restored. As always with my brother, money is never a concern. He is in So Florida. Thanks

Velocolour, in Canada, is one of the best. There are dozens stateside. Depending on the year of the Gooch, I would tread softly.

Perhaps you could elaborate on tread softly?

be careful, is what is usually means.

I realize the meaning, I thought he might have some inside tips to be aware of. No prob.

Some Gooch's are not worth the expense, IMO.

Early, maybe. Later, not so much. If it has a TSD mark, just ride it for what it is.

What is a tsd mark? And where would it be. the frame is not with me so I am at a loss. Thanks. And what would you consider early?

I'm also curious. Why the lack of respect for Guerciottis imported by Ten Speed Drive (TSD)? I love both the ride and aesthetics of early 80's Guerciottis. P.S. Gooch isn't even close to how it's pronounced.

Gooch is what we called them 'in the day'. Early are nice bikes, later were sort of 'whippy', IME. Yours may be different.

+1, sir.

I had a 1985 Guerciotti screwed and glued aluminum frame which was an absolute blast to ride. I wouldn't ride it for long distances as the aluminum was a bit harsh but a fast and fun ride. I've seen a few similar to mine that had problems with their aluminum forks/crown/headtubes.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/...e44db539_z.jpg

I currently ride a 1988? Guerciotti SLX which is one of the most fun and plush rides i've ever been on.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5065/...0559b24c_b.jpg

I agree that a few wouldn't be worth restoration but many would be. Get us some more info and some pics ;)

Those alloy ones like the one epicus posted are rebadged ALAN's - great bikes. Not much in the way of restoring though, except cleanup. The alloy is nearly impossible to return to the proper colour, it's anodized, not painted.

I almost bought the alum screw and glue but passed. His is almost identical to the other one. working on more info as we speak.

Damn you Picchio, we may be separated brothers.

Btw, what needs to be done? Full repaint? Because all other work is something most of us do at home, fi cleaning and servicing deraillers, replacing consumables like tires and cables...

Quality was spotty on a number of the pre-1984 machines; in fact, I'd be more inclined to go for a pre-1984 TSD example than a pre-1984 Guerciotti straight from the Italian subcontractor; given the chance.

-Kurt

nah it needs more than that unfortunatly. Think I found somebody in Fl that can do it.

They would all be a crap shoot.

You need to ride them and see. If you never go over 15 mph, it doesn't matter.

Good point - though the oversized EL versions with MAX stays seem to be decent (hard to screw that combo up, after all), but that's KOF territory. Then again - all depends on the reliability of the subcontractor.

-Kurt

For the original poster: as many images as possible will help for the regulars on the C&V forum provide the best collective guidance. Even if that the owner just wants it perfect and does not care about how to get to it.

A good friend is in that category. He bought NOS Campagnolo parts in boxes just for that "just out of the bike shop" appeal as when his bike was new. In his case, his memory of way back was not that detailed, so when he asked my opinion on the finished result I gave him the truth, the parts were about 10 years younger than the frame. The shop could, should have known better, they charged like they "knew" but when he looked over the old images of his bike in races from way back, found indeed, he was not well served. It was nice, but not the detailed recreation he really wanted, and had contracted and paid for. Ouch.

This is a TSD mark on an '83 brake bridge:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=217301

This is an earlier brake bridge:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=217302

And here is my '97 PRX:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=217303

I'll pass this along, thanks

Ten Speed Drive imported Guerciotti frames unpainted; they painted, applied graphics and clearcoated them, and then either sold them as framesets or built them up as complete bicycles, generally with Campagnolo components. These have been featured in "overrated bicycles" threads here, and otherwise, as you can see, generally maligned when C&V is gathered 'round to piss on the fire hydrant. I have a 1983 TSD model, the one that was built with Columbus SLX tubing, that was the top of their line then. Here are some photos of the TSD downtube sticker and the panto on the Cinelli brake bridge. More here, though not complete -- some of the photos taken for JR Anderson to do a repro decal set for someone else.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/...b2e269f1fd.jpg http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/...137579e4_z.jpg

I have to say that while the application of vinyl decals (unfortunately under the clearcoat) looks like a 6-year-old did it, the build quality seems great, for a "production" bike. I've never ridden it yet (soon, I hope), so can't speak on that. But the detailing is very nice, using top-drawer components; fork fully chromed, along with rear dropouts and right chainstay -- what's not to like may or may not come later . . .

As an aside, living in Toronto, I have seen many Velocolour bikes in person and they are astounding. The work is not cheap but the results are impressive, I wouldn't hesitate to have them work on a bike that is worthy of the price.

That way of doing things seems extremely similar to the way things Concorde did. same details on the build.