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Gtane

Here's are a further shot of Charly showing the smaller frame size and no deep drop bars, as well as Super Record in the '85 guise (fluted cranks on the chainset, the '86 cranks for S Record were not fluted being the last version before discontinuation and the introduction of C):

http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/beeldfiche.php?beeldid=5138

I've no idea of the race shown (could be a TT) or further detail of the image. The team might have tried their machines with the C Record group in Le Tour only in 1986.

Can anyone date this shot?

Tim

greyhundguy

The bikes in all the photos appear to have Columbus tubing decals on upper seat tube.

Jay

sandranian · Site Admin

That picture is from a post card, pics taken in early 1986. During the 1986 tour, the Gitanes (with the exception of Fignon's) went to the newer style decals, with systeme u stripes on them. Also, the shorts were changed to include the white panel with blue "Cycles Gitane" on them and with the Systeme U logo towards the knee (lower?).

Again, does that bike look smaller than the one on ebay??? I just always assumed that Mottet would have a smaller bike than a 54cm....

verktyg

I agree with several others, the stem on this bike is too long when compared with Charly Mottet's other bikes and yes, most riders like to keep all of their bikes the same.

George Washinton slept here! Laughing

Chas.

sandranian · Site Admin

Just received this message from the seller, who appears to be genuine and a nice guy.
***********
"Stephen,

Thank you for the compliment and sorry for the delay in responding.

The Gitane came from my late uncle's collection. He was an avid bicycle collector from Italy but lived in Thoiry, France (a small town in the French alps about 10 minutes from Geneve, Suisse and less than an hour from Chambery, France). Unfortunately, I know nothing on its history or how he obtained the bike. He passed away 7 years ago from liver cancer and his son (my cousin) sold off the collection shortly thereafter. My aunt gave me the Gitane as it was one of the few "modern" bikes he had (most were from the 50's and 60's) and she knew that I had already started my own collection of modern classic ex-pro bikes.

I used the Gitane very little as it was too small for me. The paint is the same as it was when it arrived from France nearly 6 years ago. The headset and bottom bracket were replaced with new like parts (C-Record and French threaded) as were the rims, spokes, tubulars, saddle and stem. The original freewheel was a Maillard 6 speed but the mountains around here require more gearing (8 speed Sachs). The rest of the parts were on the bike when it arrived. Some parts had been polished prior and were only touched up recently.

Although I have a collection of ex-pro bikes, I definitely would not call myself a typical collector. I ride all of my bikes hard and on a regular rotation. They are all treated as any another bike. There is nothing that makes these bikes so sacred that parts, as long as the same as original, cannot be replaced or exchanged. I am personally amused at the zeal some people have in keeping an ex-pro bike completely original with worn out parts and dirt on the frame for the sake of originality. These are wonderful old bikes that were meant to be ridden. I only hope the bikes I am currently selling find their way into the hands of riders that will ride them!

Thanks again. "

verktyg

Stephan,

Thanks for sharing the message from the seller. He sounds like a decent person. Also I like his attitude about riding his old bikes.

I watch "Antiques Road Show" on US Public Broadcasting TV. My view is that anything less than 100 years old will burn well... Laughing

I've gained a healthy sense of cynicism about collectibles from watching that show.

This looks like a nice bike if someone bought it for what it is and not it's undocumented provenance.

It's your size, are you interested in it? I was thinking about stirring the pot a little myself if you aren't going to bid on it.

BTW, thanks everyone for the links to all of the great pictures.

Chas.

Gtane

Thanks Stephan,

Thanks for sharing the note from the seller, he does indeed sound like a nice guy. One wonders about the machines from the 50s and 60s. Well, this post certainly got many of us talking.

I agree with Chas' and the seller's note of riding his bikes rather than having them as museum items. I'm totally in agreement with this. My Gitane (as well as moi) went for a 30 miler a couple of weekends ago.

This is certainly a bike worth getting as a machine in its own right. I'll leave you guys to it but do post a photo if you're successful, or perhaps gain his permission to post a shot on the site anyway.

Tim

sandranian · Site Admin

I haven't made any decision about it...I already have the 1987, and my wife would certainly see it as superfluous....

lofter

i hope somebody here, gets it Cool

verktyg

sandranian · Site Admin

Chas.:

Check your mailbox in the next couple of days. Sorry it took so long....

sandranian · Site Admin

Mottet and Fignon riding in the 1986 Tour de France. Note the decals...they are the new Systeme U design, not the "bubbles". I believe that these were affixed only at the start of the tour, but I could be wrong.