gitaneusa.com Forum Index » Vintage Gitane » Odd Frame    View previous topic :: View next topic  Odd Frame   Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 10:06 am sandranian Site Admin Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 2701 Location: Southern California So as a "rule", it appeared that framesets with full-chrome rear dropouts were full Reynolds 531. Of course, the only "rule" that applies to Gitane is that there are no rules.... This is a fully chrome dropout Gitane...with only 3 tubes Reynolds. Go figure. http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-GITANE-1978-FRAMESET-NEW-/140929496502?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20d00d75b6 _________________ Stephan Andranian Costa Mesa, CA www.gitaneusa.com Re: Odd Frame   Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 3:33 am verktyg Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 2814 Location: SF Bay Area sandranian wrote: So as a "rule", it appeared that framesets with full-chrome rear dropouts were full Reynolds 531. Of course, the only "rule" that applies to Gitane is that there are no rules.... This is a fully chrome dropout Gitane...with only 3 tubes Reynolds. Go figure. http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-GITANE-1978-FRAMESET-NEW-/140929496502?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20d00d75b6 Stephan, The frame is most likely a 1974-75 Federal model not a 1978. It has front rack mounts on the fork blades. http://www.gitaneusa.com/images/catalog/1974_pg4.jpg The specs call out 3 Tubes Reynolds but there is a Reynolds 531 sticker on the fork. Most if not all Gitane forks and rear stays made of Reynolds 531 tubing have the "fish mouth" end cuts where the dropouts are brazed in. Non Reynolds 531 forks and stays have domed ends. The bike on eBay most likely has Reynolds 531 fork blades because of the sticker and the fish mouth fork blade ends. _________________ Chas. SF Bay Area, CA USA ============== 1984 Criterium 1969 TdF 1971 TdF 1974 TdF 1984 TdF x 2 Bikes 1970 SC 1971 SC 1972 SC 1984 SC 1984 Team Pro 1985 Professional 1990s Team Replica Learn somethin every day   Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 5:02 pm smilingroadrunner Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 278 Location: Salina, Ks. Cool, Chas you are such a great resource !! I learned something new today about the "Fish Mouth" cutouts for 531 forks and stays. I did not know about that identifying feature on my early Gitanes TdeF's Thanks !! I Like Steel !!! ________________ C.A. Salina, KS. Fish Mouthed Forks And Stays   Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 11:11 pm verktyg Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 2814 Location: SF Bay Area Thanks for the kudos, CA... Reynolds tubing came with both domed and straight cut tube ends on the fork blades and rear stays. The fish mouth ends were a hallmark on the better frames from many French bike makers: Gitane, Bertin, Lejeune, Limongi, Urago to name a few. AFAIK, Gitane only used the fish mouth treatment on Reynolds forks and stays. Peugeot and Motobecane stuck with domed ends which were a little faster to finish. _________________ Chas. SF Bay Area, CA USA ============== 1984 Criterium 1969 TdF 1971 TdF 1974 TdF 1984 TdF x 2 Bikes 1970 SC 1971 SC 1972 SC 1984 SC 1984 Team Pro 1985 Professional 1990s Team Replica Odd Frame     gitaneusa.com Forum Index » Vintage Gitane You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum All times are GMT - 8 Hours   Page 1 of 1   All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First  Select a forum Gitane USA----------------Vintage GitaneGitane RacingModern GitanePro Racing - Classics/Giro/Tour....Owner Gallery   Powered by phpBB © 2001-2004 phpBB Group Designed for Trushkin.net | Themes Database.