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thebuddhist

S # Location: Left dropout, upside down
S #: B41753
Addtl # stamped into left lower lug on headtube: 61

Any information one could provide is welcome, stickers on seat tubes say "Gitane Europeen", headbadge is a sticker, original seller presumed to be Wheel Goods Corp on Hennepin in Minneapolis (sticker on seat tube). More pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10836334@N00/sets/72157606969471997/

Some oddities include a rear roller brake (aftermarket?) in addition to rear rim brake.

I will be completely refurbishing this bike over the coming weeks...

sandranian · Site Admin

The 61 stamped in the lug is the tube angle, not the date of manufacture. However, judging by the decals, that is a mid-1960's Gitane.... Beautiful bike...if you ever want to part with it, you know where to find me!

I would recommend AGAINST repainting that bike!!!

thebuddhist

I don't have plans to repaint it, I like the color. I am going to strip the entire thing apart and give the frame a good cleaning and coat of framesaver on the insides. There is some fading of the paint on the toptube and some paint coming off (in the nooks & crannies around the lugs). I was going to simply give it a good cleaning, pick away obviously loose paint, use some car polish to remove any oxidized paint from the surface & then a couple coats of carnuba wax to keep it protected?

Any do's/dont's as far as the paint (or other items) is concerned?

Going to keep it as original as possible (or at least keep original parts in a box) as I want it to be safely ride-able. Probably put modern brake pulls, etc on it.

If I ever decide to part with it I'll let you know.

sandranian · Site Admin

The bars do not appear to be original...

verktyg

Use caution with polish on the old paint and around the decals. Like Stephan said, judging by the decals and components the bike is from the mid 1960s.

Chas.