Hi Garry, Sounds like you bought the bike that Hilary offered to the list? Very nice looking frameset.
A scan of results for a Bikelist Archives (http://search.bikelist.org/) search for "guarini", resulted in Hilary's recent for-sale post, and several pleas from respected list member Greg Overton to gain information about one that he had (and has perhaps sold), made with Columbus SLX tubing, and bearing Colnago images on some of the decals, although the Colnago lead went nowhere. Here are the most informative excerpts from Greg's posts on the subject, over some years:
Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2005 I have an early eighties Guarini frame. Anyone heard of it? It is SLX, has very nice engraving in the lugs, the "headbadge" is an engraved "G" with fancy decorations engraved around it. Decals say Made in Italy, but no city or location. There is a decal either side of the top tube that says "Construzioni Speciali Colnago". Construction is similar to Colnagos I have seen. I can get photos if that would help.
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 Hi, I see folks from Italy contributing to the list, so in my several year quest for info on a frame that I have, I am appealing for any help. The frame is labelled Guarini, Made in Italy. It is SLX, Cinelli lugs and "aero" bb shell. The headtube is engraved with a "G" and flourishes. The same "G" is engraved (or cast, stamped, I'm not sure) into the fork crown and top of bb shell. There is a decal at the rear top tube each side that says "Construcioni Speciali" with the Colnago logo below the words. Not to get too wordy here, but I aquired this frame from an executive of the software company Wordperfect, who said that he'd purchased it from a local shop where he lived in Italy as head of the company's European division. He told me the shop name was Guarini, and that he had his choice of Colnago, DeRosa, Tommasini and others for actual production. He chose Colnago. This was early-mid eighties(?) Did this happen with local family shops and bike builders in Italy? The frame is similar in several ways to Colnago, and rides great. The owner bought Colnagos for the family from my shop at the time, and didn't have plans for the Guarini, which was equipped with Super Record. I inquired and credited him for it, but he didn't need the help buying the new bikes, so I don't think there was a motive to blow smoke at me about its origin. but I have never found mention of the brand or info about it. Help anyone, I love the frame, just want to know more about it.
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 I've got this frame, a Guarini, that I am trying to research. I've queried the list to no avail, but wondering if anyone here knows of a reference list/website of Italian marques that I may try. Google just gets me all I need to know about American Idol winner Justin Guarini. No disrespect to the talented Mr. Guarini, I'm sure, but that's no good to me. As always, help's appreciated and gratitude extended.
Date: Sun, 18 May 2008 And here's my semi annual call out for info on a Guarini frame (by Colnago?) that I've had for about 15 years. Had it repainted this winter by Keith Anderson, but retained a lot of the coolness. Frame has a lot of engraving (head tube, lugs etc), rides great and resembles Colnago I think. Any expert info would be mucho appreciated. I can send pics if that would help.
...end of Greg O's excerpts...
Back to current day ... I would be interested in seeing close-up pics of the dropout treatment, head lug tops and bottoms, under the b.b. shell, and the seat lug cluster top and bottom. Seem to recall looking at the photos of Hilary's for-sale bike and thinking there was something familiar about the build, but I can't remember now, and Hilary's photos are no longer viewable at the link that he initially provided.
I'd also like to see the close-up pics of Greg's bike please, if they should become visible. Good luck, and thanks...
Ciao, Mark Agree Southfield MI USA ~ ~ ~
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:17:15 +0100 From: Gaz Lemon <gazlemon@gmail.com> Subject: [CR] Guarini frame To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Hello all I was wondering if anybody had any info on Guarini frames? The pictured one in particular. All I know is that it's from 1978, and has Columbus tubing. Had no joy searching the internet for info. Many thanks in advance Garry Lemon London, UK
http://i373.photobucket.com/
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