Marastoni Artisan Original Road Bike 1970s

Licinio Marastoni was born in Reggio Emilia in 1922, the third son of a reasonably successful amateur racer. He was originally destined to become a priest but left school at the age of 11 and decided for cycling and how to build bikes.
He was so skilled that by his 17th birthday, he made frames under his own name.
His bikes sometimes had a very distinctive green colour, to which he was inspired, when he found a lizard on the side of the road on his way home. But also other colours are spotted regularly especially on older Marastoni bikes.

Licinio has built frames for several professional riders, including a time trial frame carrying Bianchi decals for Fausto Coppi, and a bunch of frames for Francesco Moser, one of which he rode in his victorious Giro.

After the war, Licinio had to start over again with a companion. And he started to build bikes which were pretty modern for their time. Came the 70s he made early braze-ons for bottles, cable guides and front derailleurs and maybe the first investment cast lugs in 1970!
Licino did not make too many bikes but every single one was on spot regarding details. Sadly, Licinio's only child Marco Marastoni was fatally injured in a car accident in 1972. - Deeply grieved, Licinio stopped working altogether. But after many requests, he decided to return to the torch after a hiatus of one year.
From then on, his best frames were labeled Marco Marastoni and were only given to people of whom he knew they would treat them well. This might be the reason that our Marastoni Rare Artisan Road Bike is in such a good condition.

Our Marastoni stems from middle 1970s and it is a fine example of an artisanal Italian frame. You can admire the clen lines of the lugs, which are beautifully shaped by the way. It also show some interesting details like the quite modern shifting lever braze-ons or the milled bottom bracket shell.

As for the equippment, Campagnolo Nuovo Record groupset with Universal brakes, 3ttt cockpit and Cinelli Unicanitor saddle have been chosen. Very nice are also the Nisi rims in sweet condition. It is then completed with an original matching pump.

Bikes like our Marastoni are not a common sight indeed. If you are a true admirer of bikes from the golden age of cycling, you will fully appreciate its historic value and artisanal quality.