Having been in the position where I needed to sell some parts and bike frames for the $$ for family needs, I could never criticize another person for parting out a bike to sell.
I read an article in Ciclismo from Sept. '95 about Gios Torino. The shop/agency was started by Tomino Gios in the first year's after WWII and is located on the outer beltway of the periphery of Torino. I'm sure the store is listed in the yellow pages if you where in Italy and wanted to visit. The company is run by the two sons of Tomino, Alfredo and Aldo. At the time, they produced about eight frames per day and could deliver a custom frame in about 30-40 days. Pictures of the shop showed a frame jig and a brazer free brazing at a table. Most everyone knows the real start for Gios was the Brooklyn team in 1972 lead by Roger De Vlaeminck. Gios said they have also built bicycles for Zilioli, Sercu, Panizza, Bertoglio, Godefroot, Pollentier, De Wolf, Grewal, and Hampsten. It seems that about 90% of their market at this time was outside of Italy to countries such as Belgium, Holland, Germany, the USA and Japan.
Brian Van Baush
Poulsbo, WA.