gitaneusa.com :: View topic - unknown gitane with full camp. help please

mofunk

cant seem to find a model for this bike .i think the owner must have added
parts and upgraded at some point .if any one has any info i would really
appreciate the help .
thanks

mofunk

reynolds 531 and made in france decals
full camp group set + camp seat post and hubs
cinelli stem and bars
lugs and fork seem to be from 73-75 (maybe)
honeycomb Huret rear dropouts (maybe)
57cm
stronglight crank and camp pedals
FIAMME RIMS
not sure about the frame .could be a 600 or a interclub (frame has rack mounts i think)
thats all i got right now Rolling Eyes

anyone else got any ideas ?
thanks again for any help from this great forum Very Happy

verktyg

Greetings

For starters read my recent messages in the following thread, they cover most of your questions:

http://gitaneusa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1912

Where are you located and where did the bike come from?

Here's the possibilities or probabilities for identifying your bike:

1. It's NOT a an Interclub or 600!

2. It started life as an upper model Gitane, 1 step down from top of the line all Campy Olympic and Super Olympic models.

3. How can I tell? The Olympic and Super Olympic models came with Campagnolo headsets which are about 8mm thicker than the headset on your bike.

It probably came with a Stronglight P3 headset with a stack height of 33mm (look up "stack height" under search for an explanation).

The headset has been replaced with a Tange or maybe Shimano model or at least the top nut has been replaced.

4. It's an all Reynolds 531 frame but has a pre-1974 Reynolds decal which came on a few bikes up to 1975 .

Pre-1974

Post 1974

5. There is a vestige of a foil decal at the top of the seat tube. I've seen a few 1974 vintage bikes with these for what ever reason. It's a red herring!

6. It was quite common for folks to upgrade their better quality Gitanes with Campy components.

Campy brakes were only found on the top model Gitane Super Olympic. They added maybe $100 - $150 to the original cost of the bike. The Olympic model was all Campy except for MAFAC brakes.

Campy equipped bikes never amounted to more than a few percent of the sporting bikes sold in the early 70s. There's a misconception that they were common because many have survived their lesser quality brethren which long ago where recycled into cars, refrigerators, what have you.

7. I'm guessing that you have an early 1974 Champion du Monde frame that's been equipped with Campy components. These were primarily a European model. They originally came with better quality French components.

No self respecting French bike would be caught dead with Italian made Fiamme rims.

The Stronglight crank was probably original but the drillium chainring was added later.

The Campy bar end shifters and aero brake levers were definitely later additions.

http://www.gitaneusa.com/images/catalog/1974_pg1.jpg

I had a Champion du Monde frame and it was definitely lighter than the Tour de France frames from those years. It should be a nice riding bike.

mofunk

thanks so much for your post and the links Chas
they were helpful and informative !
the headset is a stronglight
im not familiar with the red herring decal .got any info on that ?
i had a look at your flickr sets and am in love with your orange 71 tdf
i got this bike from a friend who is moving and doesn't want to pack and ship
im going to put new wheelset and cables on and get her a tune up and cleaning then use as a commuter
thanks again for this great forum Very Happy