 |  | | | |  | |  |  | Gitane Newbie needs ID help on this Great Find! |  | |  |  | |
 Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 10:52 am |
 |
|
| Uprightbent |
|
|
|
| Joined: 07 Nov 2011 |
| Posts: 4 |
|
|
|
|
Thanks in advance for any advice offered on this great find I just picked up, a basement dweller on hooks for at least the past 30 years according to the 2nd owner, who bought it used in the 70's. I'm clueless about French bikes and this Gitane has no model name anywhere, except for a decal stating "Tubes Flash"? Durifort fork, Mafac Racer brakes and levers, Campy Gran Sport RD and FD, Benelux shifters, Stronglight cranks with some very cool Lyotard pedals-Christophe clips-Lapize straps. Original Silca pump in Orange, never seen one that color? Ava stem (is this bad?) with 3TTT bars which I guess are Cinelli, original cotton tape. Campy high flange hubs laced to Mavic rims with Sprint tubulars. Unicanitor saddle in good shape.
I'm guessing this was a high end Gitane, based on the components. Any help would be appreciated, or a link to a brochure. I'd be happy to know if it's from the 60's or 70's. Another nice winter project maybe. Check out the Velox repair kit with Stronglight tools included.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |  |  | | | |  |  |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:38 pm |
|
|
| Gypsy |
|
 |
|
| Joined: 07 Aug 2011 |
| Posts: 26 |
| Location: Minnesota |
|
|
|
| Great Nervex lugs. I can't help you, but you will have an expert answer soon. There are incredible, amazing French bike super-heros standing sentinal to help you from your distress. Personally, I am equally intrigued by your other bikes in the background of the pictures. |
|
_________________
Ken
Redwood Falls, MN
1972 Gitane TdF
1972 Peugeot PX-10 Grand Bois lugs
1970 Peugeot PX-10 Nervex fancy lugs
and a bunch of other bikes that are sweet,
but not FRENCH |
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 3:38 am |
|
|
| Uprightbent |
|
|
|
| Joined: 07 Nov 2011 |
| Posts: 4 |
|
|
|
|
Thanks Gypsy, I can't wait to hear what I've found.
The bikes in the background sound like your signature, very sweet but nothing French. Raleigh Pro-International-Kodiak-Alyeska-Grand Prix, plus a pair of Trek 610's. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 4:25 am |
|
|
| Frenchbuilt |
|
|
|
| Joined: 18 Apr 2007 |
| Posts: 443 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 6:21 am |
|
|
| scozim |
|
 |
|
| Joined: 26 Sep 2008 |
| Posts: 629 |
| Location: Ellensburg, WA |
|
|
|
| Can you post a full side shot of the bike? It's a great find and I'd love to see the entire bike. Love the yellow color also - don't don't do anything with that. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:02 am |
|
|
| Uprightbent |
|
|
|
| Joined: 07 Nov 2011 |
| Posts: 4 |
|
|
|
|
| scozim wrote: |
| Can you post a full side shot of the bike? It's a great find and I'd love to see the entire bike. Love the yellow color also - don't don't do anything with that. |
Thanks for the input so far, I'm still anxiously awaiting to hear from the French experts on what this really is. I have posted to the Gitane forum as well. In the meantime, here are some additional full shots and decal close-ups as requested.
Additionally:
*the bathroom scale reads exactly 24.0, pretty light in my collection
*does the clamp-on rear derailer cable guide suggest an age, I'm used to these brazed on
*as mentioned earlier, serial number is #73489 which I guess means little
*yes, the seat post is mounted backwards, inscripted "TAIHEL Compe" I think the owner did not know much about the bike since he referenced the "Campo gears"
*there are no Campy or Simplex markings on the dropouts, they look naked
*top tube cable guides look like a Simplex logo?
ANY guesses on the value, even though I think it's a keeper for me, fits PERFECT.
Yes, I plan to keep tubular and not repaint.
Thanks in advance!
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:53 am |
|
|
| Gypsy |
|
|
|
| Joined: 07 Aug 2011 |
| Posts: 26 |
| Location: Minnesota |
|
|
|
| I still can't help. Has some higher end and just average parts. Really some nice touches to the frame. Love the seat stays. As posted by Frenchbuilt DON'T PAINT IT!!! Don't know what you paid for it, but I would have given a few hundred if it was my size. It gets hard IDing these things as parts are so easily exchanged. that Grand Sport derailleur is 73 or earlier. The Benelux shifters are probably pre 70's. They really scream late 1960's to me. Stronglight 49 cranks. Unicanitor saddle looks early 70's. I'm going to peg it around 1968-1970. Don't take that as money in the bank, but based on a gut feeling due to components and frame craftsmanship. Could be even a little earlier due to easily swapped parts. Really feeling 1969-1970 here. The frame is the mystery and the key. Now, let the real experts and gurus chime in. I'm like a 7th Grader compared to lots of these folks (and around here, I love to be wrong-because I learn something new). Anyone? |
|
_________________
Ken
Redwood Falls, MN
1972 Gitane TdF
1972 Peugeot PX-10 Grand Bois lugs
1970 Peugeot PX-10 Nervex fancy lugs
and a bunch of other bikes that are sweet,
but not FRENCH |
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:24 am |
|
|
| scozim |
|
|
|
| Joined: 26 Sep 2008 |
| Posts: 629 |
| Location: Ellensburg, WA |
|
|
|
Seriously, that is one beautiful bike. Yellow bikes just seem to scream "look at me!". Based on the decals I would put the frame possibly in the early 1960's era knowing that it appears to have had component upgrades. With the chrome on the forks and chainstays I wouldn't be surprised if it was a higher end model.
Personally, if the frame is that old I wouldn't get rid of the bike. There can't be many still "alive". Talk about a collector - and one that looks like it could be a good rider with a minimum amount of work.
Very nice score!! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:04 am |
|
|
| Uprightbent |
|
|
|
| Joined: 07 Nov 2011 |
| Posts: 4 |
|
|
|
|
| Uncle Chas where are you? This yellow Gitane is suffering an identity crisis. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:31 am |
|
|
| Frenchbuilt |
|
|
|
| Joined: 18 Apr 2007 |
| Posts: 443 |
|
|
|
|
| Just spray WD 40 all over to loosen up the grease and then leave it like it is. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:43 am |
|
|
| scozim |
|
|
|
| Joined: 26 Sep 2008 |
| Posts: 629 |
| Location: Ellensburg, WA |
|
|
|
| Uprightbent wrote: |
| Uncle Chas where are you? This yellow Gitane is suffering an identity crisis. |
Been wondering that myself - almost two weeks with no post from Chas. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
|
