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JasH

Hi all,

I've been looking to pick up a vintage/retro frame for a while to build a singlespeed project. Stumbled across the following at my local brocante, and the proprietor couldn't stop laughing when he relieved me of my 15 Euros...

...so as a newbie to the world of Gitane, and seeing there are some real Gitane Gurus on the forum, I'd like some help to ID it as I can't pinpoint it in the (lovely) catalogues on here. I think I got a decent deal and even if I spend a few hundred quid on components to renovate it I think it'll be a decent ride Smile

Any advice/guidance appreciated, cheers.

Jas

JasH

Apologies for the orientation on some of the pics... posted straight from iPad, should have edited them first... Newbie in all senses!

verktyg

It's a 1976 Gran Sport. They came with chrome plated steel rims not the alloy rims on your bike.

JasH

Many thanks verktyg,

My wife has convinced me not to modify the frame colour now as on the whole the paintwork is in pretty good shape. As it's my first project to get a bike back on the road I'm going to single speed it to simplify the task and update easier components like brakes, bars and wheels. In the future when I'm a little more proficient With restoration I will try to restore to former glory with more appropriate components.

As soon as its rideable I'll post some pics!

Cheers

Jas

JasH

Hi All,

Completed it a few weeks ago but had seatpost issues on the first ride so had to replace the seatpost and tighten up in a few other places. Now it's all done as my first rebuild!

New wheels, seat, seatpost, chain and pedals. Modified the bar shape and added new bartape, also managed to source old Mafac Racer brakes in great condition from eBay and used those rather than try and fit newer style ones. Spent about €230 on the additions of which 150 was the wheels! So including the original 15 euros spent on the original bike at the brocante I've got a cool
"new" single speed for about 250 Euros (325 bucks), better than buying one complete and I've learnt a lot during the process! It held up well 15km round trip to a tabac for a couple of Leffe Rubies and got a lot of admirers as it was parked outside the bar!

Next project... Just bought a 70s Peugeot Lady (without wheels) for 5 (yes 5!) euros!!! My wife says I'll never get her off her Kona to ride it when it's done. We'll see! (Interestingly it came with a perfect set of Mafac Racer brakes too... after I'd spent more on eBay!)

Jas

sandranian · Site Admin

Some may disagree...but I like what you did with that! There are some "purists" lurking about...but ignore them Wink

You built a nice bike that will be ridden. That is what it's all about!

JasH

Thanks Stephan!

As my first try I'm really pleased and it was a real education - maybe when I have better skills and knowledge I will restore something in a fashion more true to it's original state (and please the purists!) but I'm at the bottom of that learning curve still!

It's great fun, the 42/16 set up is just about manageable with the hills I have to cycle up around where I live and better than that I feel I saved it from gathering rust outside the junk shop or worse getting chucked into landfill.

I know it's off-topic for this site but here's the next project, the Peugeot Sport Lady (1978 PA 55 I think) that I picked up for 5 Euros!

Cheers

Jas