gitaneusa.com :: View topic - Can You Identify my folding Gitane 4-sp?

LesGitanesFolder

Got this folding Gitanes, 4sp, dont know much about them, I will try to post pics, it doesnt seem to identify a model on the decal nomenclature, anyone recognize the type?

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVA3eJJ

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqKR_3r

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVA4WZS

LesGitanesFolder

delete

sandranian · Site Admin

The pictures didn't come through...try posting them again.

LesGitanesFolder

its an infuriating system, those links worked correctly when I redid them a few minutes ago, took me straight to the hosted pic, anyway the basic url is correct, the pics are hosted on postimage:

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVA4WZS

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVA3eJJ

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqKR_3r

LesGitanesFolder

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqO5fXS

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVD0mAi

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqO81yS

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqO8Ksr

sandranian · Site Admin

You essentially have a newer model of the the ones shown in the 1978 catalogue (top of the catalogue page). I would say that yours dates from about 1980. It appears to be the same bike, with different decals.

http://www.gitaneusa.com/images/catalog/1978_pg12.jpg

LesGitanesFolder

Thanks...the coupling does look like the top yellow one, actually...

they give them names on that page, such as Balmoral, dont they name them on the frame, as I cant find any name other than the brand on it.

Concorde, that one is called, actually, isnt it.

Found out all about the differences in bottom brackets on French (and apparently Italian) bikes, while trying to overhaul the bottom bracket..are not english threads apparently as all the old spare parts I have are, the fixed cups must be RH threaded , explains why I could not turn it out the usual LH way for fixed cups. Nothing fitted, had to just replace the one disintegrated bearing and put it back together with its pitted axle....which the axles dont match most 80s spare axles either, bearings are too far apart..
Where on earth would you buy a BB axle for one?

x

LesGitanesFolder

Oh, yes, AND the cotter pins, smaller cotter pins, oh joy.
Apparently 9mm vs 9.5mm.

But, larger stronger thread on them, which isnt a bad thing.

sandranian · Site Admin

Yes...French threaded gear is a joy. I find most of it on ebay (the cotter pins were available just a few days ago, and will most likely come up again).

Gitane's habit of putting the names of the particular model of bicycle was more-or-less hit or miss.

LesGitanesFolder

So do you think its reasonable to describe this bike as a probable Concorde, c1980?

It is actually going to be listed on ebay, I was amazed to find only 4 Gitanes brand bikes on ebay world-wide and all are road racers, of course, nothing like this.

I always thought Gitanes was a French cigarette company, first I heard of it was it was seen on 80s Ligier French F1 cars, I thought they were being sponsored by a tobacco company, not a bicycle company.

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/f1pictures/johansson88ligierspa.JPG

sandranian · Site Admin

I think that your description would be accurate.

"Gitanes" is a French cigarette.

"Gitane" is a French bike - and a completely different company.

Those folding bikes come up from time to time, but not very often.

LesGitanesFolder

oh, ok, so the F1 cars were sponsored by tobacco, 2 different company names, right.

sandranian · Site Admin

Yep. But there is a link to car racing, albeit a small one:

Gitane was purchased in 1977/78 by the auto maker Renault, which also owned "Elf" oil company. Hence, the Renault/Elf/Gitane racing teams of the late 1970's/early 1980s, whose history is detailed in the "Gitane Racing" section of this website.

They sold (or jettisoned) Gitane in 1985 after the French economy took a dive.

LesGitanesFolder

[b]Anyone who is interested in monitoring Gitane sales on ebay, the bike is now listed auction is about mid way mark, many hits, many watchers, still a modest price now but a long way to go.[/b] http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=380080882979&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=025[url][/url]

[b]Thanks to you and the site for your assistance, which is actually referred to in the ad.[/b]

There are two roadbikes selling in Australia too, Mach 1200 and Mach 1600,$400-800 starting price range, but just contemporary bikes, I guess, also a spare Gitane branded saddle.