Classic & Vintage - 1970's Paris Sport Track Bike?

A few years back I bought a beautiful paris sport track bike from a woman who had raced it when she was kid in california. I know a little bit about it, that it is from Vic Fraysees shop in Ridgefield Park NJ.

Classic rendezvous restates most of what I have been able to learn.

"Paris Sport was a "house brand" name applied to many fine bicycles as sold and distributed by Park Cycle & Sports in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. Vic Fraysse, with his son, Mike, imported frames and sold them marked as Paris Sport that were sourced, among others, from Bertin and Vitus (Bador.)

But even more interesting were the specialty builders that had brief stays at Ridgefield Park and who made frames for the Paris Sport marque. Those included Francesco Cuevas (Spain), Pepe Limongi (France), Dave Moulton (UK) and others".

Does anyone know anything else?

I love the bike and would like to learn more about it.

Your post is a good summary of "Paris Sport" history. Key staff members at Paris Sport included some of America's best cyclists. They imported high quality bikes and also designed and built top bikes in-house.

Many bike companies sold bikes in all price ranges and for all purposes. Instead, Paris Sport focused on bikes good enough to race with...bikes that could compete with the Paramount, and with the best bikes from Italy, France, and the UK.

I, too, have been looking for more information about Paris Sport but have found little available. What I can add is that in addition to the upper end market already noted, Paris Sport participated at the entry level as well.

Sometime around 1972, I went bicycle shopping with $125 to spend and came home with a Paris Sport. It won out over a similarly priced Atala because it appeared to be of better quality. This being said, it is still a pretty typical, entry level, bike boom, ten speed. The frame is heavy steel, it has Huret derailleur, Weinmann center pull brakes, steel Rigida rims and a plastic seat. I still have it and occasionally ride it. My two complaints are that the stickers were of very poor quality and almost immediately looked worn (so, I took them off) and I’ve never been able to get the front derailleur to work very well.

I like the way it handles and rides and as I never intended to race it, the weight was never a real issue for me.

Regards,
Alan

I, too, have been looking for more information about Paris Sport but have found little available. What I can add is that in addition to the upper end market already noted, Paris Sport participated at the entry level as well.

Sometime around 1972, I went bicycle shopping with $125 to spend and came home with a Paris Sport. It won out over a similarly priced Atala because it appeared to be of better quality. This being said, it is still a pretty typical, entry level, bike boom, ten speed. The frame is heavy steel, it has Huret derailleur, Weinmann center pull brakes, steel Rigida rims and a plastic seat. I still have it and occasionally ride it. My two complaints are that the stickers were of very poor quality and almost immediately looked worn (so, I took them off) and I’ve never been able to get the front derailleur to work very well.

I like the way it handles and rides and as I never intended to race it, the weight was never a real issue for me.

Regards,
Alan

I, too, have been looking for more information about Paris Sport but have found little available. What I can add is that in addition to the upper end market already noted, Paris Sport participated at the entry level as well.

Sometime around 1972, I went bicycle shopping with $125 to spend and came home with a Paris Sport. ...snip...
I like the way it handles and rides and as I never intended to race it, the weight was never a real issue for me.

WOW! You've owned a bike with a crummy front derailure for 34 years, and never thought to change it? If you like the bike (it seems a safe assumption you do)-, why not spend $20 on a decent 80s vintage japanese derailuer, and make it work better. for that matter don't you have something in the parts box?

WOW! You've owned a bike with a crummy front derailure for 34 years, and never thought to change it?

I did almost no road riding from 1982 until last spring. In effect, the bike was stored for 23 years. When I started to ride again, I did consider changing it but then bought a new bike instead and it ceased to be a priority. Over the winter, I began a more substantial overhaul with plans to rebuild the bottom bracket, wheel bearings, etc. I again thought about changing the front derailleur but got distracted by a different project and haven’t gotten back to it. Maybe next winter, … or if we really get the snow they’re talking about this week.

Regards,
Alan

A few years back I bought a beautiful paris sport track bike from a woman who had raced it when she was kid in california. I know a little bit about it, that it is from Vic Fraysees shop in Ridgefield Park NJ.
...snip...
Does anyone know anything else?
I love the bike and would like to learn more about it.


Put a pic up, Dave M skulks around here and he might have an idea who built it.

I used to hang around Vic & Mike's Place back then (denizen of the 2nd floor...) and I might recognize it.
If it was built there and was early to mid-70s it was likely a Limongi, later 70s was likely a Cuevas.
But Vic and Mike brought in many nice frames under the 'PS' mark, with unannounced heritage, unless one asked them what it was at the time of purchase.
I particularly like the 'Liberace' rindstoned studded & drilled 'show' bike they held as a centerpiece to the 'gallery'.
Anyway, would be fun to see your bike
do you remember the name of the 'girl' you bought it from?

Good day,

Back in 1974, I caught the bike racing bug and somehow figured out that Park Cycle had connections with some great builders. I was told that Pepe Limongi had been building the frames for some of the Olympic cycling teams. I figured that was probably more than good enough for me! So I ended up ordering a custom-built Limongi frame with exquisitely filed and silve-brazed longpoint lugs. It came complete with the Italian chromed front fork blades and Merckx-orange (what other color is there?) paint that I specified. And I outfitted it with the then-revolutionary Campagnolo Super Record gruppo. What a wonderful machine!

Alas, I'm planning to move, and this time around, the Limongi can't come with me. Do you know anyone who might want to acquire it and give it a good home?

Regards,
Don M.

Hi Don,

Please post pics if you can, there has been frequent questions about Limongi and hardly any pics, would love to see your bike.

Thanks

vjp


Good day,

Back in 1974, I caught the bike racing bug and somehow figured out that Park Cycle had connections with some great builders. I was told that Pepe Limongi had been building the frames for some of the Olympic cycling teams. I figured that was probably more than good enough for me! So I ended up ordering a custom-built Limongi frame with exquisitely filed and silve-brazed longpoint lugs. It came complete with the Italian chromed front fork blades and Merckx-orange (what other color is there?) paint that I specified. And I outfitted it with the then-revolutionary Campagnolo Super Record gruppo. What a wonderful machine!

Alas, I'm planning to move, and this time around, the Limongi can't come with me. Do you know anyone who might want to acquire it and give it a good home?

Regards,
Don M.

Good day,

Back in 1974, I caught the bike racing bug and somehow figured out that Park Cycle had connections with some great builders. I was told that Pepe Limongi had been building the frames for some of the Olympic cycling teams. I figured that was probably more than good enough for me! So I ended up ordering a custom-built Limongi frame with exquisitely filed and silve-brazed longpoint lugs. It came complete with the Italian chromed front fork blades and Merckx-orange (what other color is there?) paint that I specified. And I outfitted it with the then-revolutionary Campagnolo Super Record gruppo. What a wonderful machine!

Alas, I'm planning to move, and this time around, the Limongi can't come with me. Do you know anyone who might want to acquire it and give it a good home?

Regards,
Don M.

Hello Don, we would love to see pictures!

You might want to request that if anyone is interested, that they send you a PM. Officially we aren't supposed to be selling anything here and we don't want anyone to get in trouble...:eek:

East Hill

Don, I would be interested in the Limongi. I paid $315 for a new Limongi frameset in 1975 and raced it for several years. It was a great bike. I wish I still had it.

I also had a 24" Paris-Sport track bike for several years. This bike was purchased new from Fraysees' shop in the early '70s. A friend bought it for his daughter so that she could do midget (remember that category) racing. I purchased the bike from my friend so that my kids could use it for racing. I recently returned it to my friend for his granddaughter to use. Now there is a bike with longevity.

Put a pic up, Dave M skulks around here and he might have an idea who built it.

I used to hang around Vic & Mike's Place back then (denizen of the 2nd floor...) and I might recognize it.
If it was built there and was early to mid-70s it was likely a Limongi, later 70s was likely a Cuevas.
But Vic and Mike brought in many nice frames under the 'PS' mark, with unannounced heritage, unless one asked them what it was at the time of purchase.
I particularly like the 'Liberace' rindstoned studded & drilled 'show' bike they held as a centerpiece to the 'gallery'.
Anyway, would be fun to see your bike
do you remember the name of the 'girl' you bought it from?

Do you remember the story of Limongi being detained at the airport upon his arrival. Apparently he was carrying a jar of brazing flux through customs and there was some concern by customs officials over what was in the jar.

Hi all,
I was looking around for Limongi links and found this. I used to work at Park Cycle '74-'78 and own and raced a Limongi . Maybe I can answer some Q's. For those of you in the So cal area, I'm in Camarillo. Still have my 74 Limongi and am restoring it now.

Dave

I particularly like the 'Liberace' rindstoned studded & drilled 'show' bike they held as a centerpiece to the 'gallery'.


LOL. Wow, I remember that bike! The polishing an rindstones were done by a club member jeweler. There was another bike up on the platform with drilled lugs. I bought it in 74 and am restoring it now. If you're still in Goleta, we should talk. I'm in Camarillo.

LOL. Wow, I remember that bike! The polishing an rindstones were done by a club member jeweler. There was another bike up on the platform with drilled lugs. I bought it in 74 and am restoring it now. If you're still in Goleta, we should talk. I'm in Camarillo.

Oh, we'll need photos of your bike!

And Welcome to Bike Forums!

East Hill

Hi Dave,

From what I have read, Guiseppe 'pepe' Limongi came from France to work for the Fraysees' but is He of Italian descent?

I have a Limongi "funny bike" from the mid/late 80's that I believe came from eastern Canada. Did Limongi end up in Quebec?

Thanks

Don,
I'm sitting in the back of my shop looking up at my old Team Hill skinsuit from the Pavio's year.Wow! Flashback!
Any other Team Hill out there ? Sorry Off Thread.
Michael G.

A buddy of mine raced (on the track) for Paris Sport some time in the 70's. Any of youse know a Brooklyn guy named Pergolizzi?

A buddy of mine raced (on the track) for Paris Sport some time in the 70's. Any of youse know a Brooklyn guy named Pergolizzi?

Pergolizzi? Settled for a Paris Sport?

Paris Sports were also sold in Michigan in the mid-70s.

Hi all, Will get picks of the Limongi up soon. Pepe was actually only at Park Cycle for a short while as I recall. Mostly, the frames were imported from France. I really couldn't tell you if he ended up in Canada. Although the description of an Italian living in France is what I recall. Its been I while, and I wasn't fully plugged in at the time. I was there through 78, and remember a local builder named Bill Ralph, and of course the father son team of Francesco and Andreas Cuevas.

Vic Frayesee ran the wholesale end and imported the basic Paris Sports. They then got sold at Park Cycle of course and other North Jersey shops as well as being shipped out all over. I think they were basically Star-Nords. Although I know a few Windsors got rebadged, as well as Saavedras.

Mike F rode a Bertin with PS stickers. And I had a Whitcomb track bike with PS stickers. Bought it from Steve Woznick after he won a National title or two on it. For the racing bikes in the club it was more of a livery rather than a branding.

Oh, we'll need photos of your bike!

And Welcome to Bike Forums!

East Hill

Just to be clear, I didn't buy the rhinestone bike. I bought the other one. But I'll get pics up anyway. I don't think anyone ever bought the rhinestone bike. From what I heard, it was a horrendous job polishing off the Campy anodizing.

Just to be clear, I didn't buy the rhinestone bike. I bought the other one. But I'll get pics up anyway. I don't think anyone ever bought the rhinestone bike. From what I heard, it was a horrendous job polishing off the Campy anodizing.

I was actually referring to the one which you bought with the drilled rings. Wonder what happened to the rhinestone one, though?

East Hill

A buddy of mine raced (on the track) for Paris Sport some time in the 70's. Any of youse know a Brooklyn guy named Pergolizzi?

The Omnipotent Despot? we all know dis guy.

marty

Marty, we must have met. A BVVW gathering, perhaps? Prospect Park? Are y'all CR guys? Cirque maybe?

Matthew B.
Brooklyn, NY

Oh, we'll need photos of your bike!

East Hill

OK, got some up.
http://l8apxes.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album06

Its dirty. And tonight, it looks like I need a paint job as well because of rust, but hey, now I restore it to the original colors too. :**

I still need some campy shoes and pads. Anybody got a lead

Are your car and the bike really that close a match in colour? I enjoyed your remarks :) .

You might want to try a post in the 'in search of/want to buy' sticky for the shoes and pads.

East Hill

Are your car and the bike really that close a match in colour?

East Hill

Yeah, they are pretty close, but only by accident. The bike was powdercoated 4 years before I got the car.

It is amazing to see the impact that the Fraysse's had on cycling here even today. I have an early 70's PS 5 speed I am restoring now as well. Back in the eighties I raced USCF for the NJBC under Ed Draper who built some wheels forthe 84 Olympic team and learned wheel building from him. He used to have an honorary member Track suit hanging in our shop in Olney MD, plus a set of 16 &20 spoke TT wheels, but I don't remember who they were built for.