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Bigbird

Hi,
Just found this forum the other day. I have an older Gitane Tour de France that I bought new back in 1974. I'm thinking of "restoring" it - not to sell, but just to get it kind of back to what it was "back in the day". I've restored several motorcycles in the past but never have done a bicycle. Any pitfall I should be aware of or tips on original parts, etc will be appreciated. Here are a few photos of the TdF.

Tom Dudones
Saranac Lake, NY

PBR Streetgang

I just found this forum, too. Your bike looks complete and original. When I hear the word "restore," it conjures up thoughts of new paint and NOS parts (and a lot of money spent). That may not be what you are thinking, but have you thought about stripping the bike (of parts, not paint), cleaning and regreasing the bearings, polishing all of the paint and aluminum, and replacing the bar wrap, tires, cables, etc.? New decals are available as well.

Bigbird

sandranian · Site Admin

Original decals will be difficult to get. There are good reproductions available though (see the GitaneUSA.com "links" page).

The serial number will be on one of the rear dropouts (non-drive side). Unfortunately, except for identifying your individual bike, it will yield any clues as to the manufacture date or other information.

the70sbike

It looks pretty original to me. The shop I worked in back in 1974 sold those. One thing I do not recall is the lugs painted a contrasting color, I think that and the downtube have been "customized" by a former owner.

Here is my TdF of the same vintage. I built this set of wheels with more modern clincher rims as a practical way to make use of the bike. I didn't want to mess with tubulars, so the original wheels hang in my garage.

I never had one back in the day, I got this a couple of years ago in rundown condition. It is an absolute delight to ride, and has a different feel to it from my other bikes.

Bigbird

[quote="the70sbike"]It looks pretty original to me. The shop I worked in back in 1974 sold those. One thing I do not recall is the lugs painted a contrasting color, I think that and the downtube have been "customized" by a former owner.

You're absolutely right about the lugs and downtube having been painted - I did that after owning the bike only a year or so. The original downtube decal pealed badly, so I painted that section - and the lugs to match. I think I used the touch-up paint from the VW bus thsat we had at the time. The "cusom" paint has held up far better than the original white!

Bigbird

PBR Streetgang

I doubt most of the aluminum parts are anodized, so polishing should be pretty straightforward. This should tell you all you need to know about polishing:

http://www.vintagebmx.com/community/index.php?showtopic=4005471

the70sbike

I don't think much is anodized on a TdF either. The Stronglight cranks really shine up nicely.

vanhelmont

Bigbird,

I like your painted lugs. I'm finally nearing the end of rebuilding a '72 Super Corsa, starting from just a frame in bad shape. If I were you, I would stick with cleaning, touch up, polish, and lube.

The main difficulties I met, hopefully, won't affect you. I had painting problems, but if you have restored motorcycles maybe you won't, if you decide to repaint.

Your bike will have French threads in the headset and bottom bracket. Both cups on the bottom bracket use a right hand thread.
If your bearing cups are OK, just reuse 'em, maybe with new balls. If the bearings are shot, the alternatives I know of are ebay, Phil Wood bottom bracket (great quality, expensive), or velo orange (they have new old stock French thread bottom brackets at reasonable prices).

edit- One upgrade I would recommend is koolstop salmon brake pads. They make pads that should almost fit your brakes. I had to file down the rubber a little to get it in. They will stop a lot better than your old brake blocks, or even than your typical replacements.

The best place I know of for info on bike repair is the late Sheldon Brown's website:
www.sheldonbrown.com

Good Luck![/url]

Bigbird

Last Saturday, I took the bike over to Placid Planet bike shop in Lake Placid. They're going to do a complete overhaul -ie, new cables, brake pads, tires and tubes, true up the wheels, check the derailler, lube everything and so on. I hope to have the bike back in a week or so, then I'll start on the cosmetics. I found a picture of the bike when it was new (actually, I was pretty close to "new" then as well!). Here's the bike as it - and I - looked back in 1974. Yikes! Hope to have it looking that good when I finish it this winter.

sandranian · Site Admin

Great picture. I love "back in the day" pics. Post more if you have them. Same goes for you, Chas.

Was that Velox bar tape? If so...you can still get that on Ebay. Looks great....

I may have some NOS Mafac cable housing for that bike....

Gtane

Tom,

Your bike is in superb condition. You've kept it really well. I agree with the other posts, and yours too, about retaining frame paint originality. Nice shot too of the machine when new.

PBR Streetgang, thanks for the polishing info. I love the mention of a 'mouse sander'. That really did get me thinking as I had no idea what that could possibly be. All clear now after a quick search. Terrific description.

Tim

Bigbird

"Great picture. I love "back in the day" pics. Post more if you have them. Same goes for you, Chas.

Was that Velox bar tape? If so...you can still get that on Ebay. Looks great....

I may have some NOS Mafac cable housing for that bike...."

Stephan,
Yeah I think that it was Velox bar tape. I'll have to check on eBay. And if you do have some NOS Mafac cable housing PM me. I've been looking for some decent replacements. I should get the bike back from the shop in time for Christmas - tho it'll be awhile before I get a chance to ride.... we've got quite a bit of snow up here and it's usually mis-April before the roads are clear and the white stufff is pretty much gone.

Tom