Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Mystery 1970s French racer - is this a Louison Bobet? Value?

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rodentfield
07-17-11, 04:04 PM
A while ago I asked about a bike I had found at http://http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/723769-mystery-1970s-French-racer-what-do-I-have-see-pictures.. I've since cleaned it up and painstakingly restored it. I still don't know what it is. I've gotten a few helpful comments on velospace:
http://velospace.org/node/37963.
One of them says it looks exactly like a Louison Bobet he worked on some time ago, which sounds reasonable. Does anyone else have any suggestions? For details on all the components, etc, see the bike's velospace page. Keep in mind that some of the components may not be original. Does it have any special value, especially considering the first-generation Dura Ace cranks?

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5573417606_b3ba83a303_b.jpg

Bike in original condition as it came.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5573417124_d4e72bf65f_z.jpg

3ttt bars (Superleggiero!)and stem; Universal brakes; ugly levers with half hoods

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6147/5948092460_364d917e77_z.jpg

Bike after restoration (replaced bars, stem, brakes, brake levers, seat, cables and pedals).

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/5948092932_4fd27c3c0f_z.jpg
Dura-Ace cranks (first generation) on a Campagnolo spindle in TA bottom bracket cups.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5092/5572838173_b42118ac11_z.jpg

Campy dropouts (Huret on fork).

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6010/5947550833_f803db0ce0_z.jpg

Distinctive Simplex seatpost

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5573427378_e556e8e76c_z.jpg

EDA bottom bracket

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5573425194_709cddd865_z.jpg

Distinctive brazed brake bridge

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5573426924_8855f60ec9_z.jpg

Long pointed lugs


repechage
07-17-11, 09:22 PM
The chrome on the seat tube... I don't think Bobet brand, a nice enough frame though. Pretty sure its from the 60's middle earlys.

rodentfield
07-17-11, 10:10 PM
Could be...although the derailleurs, original handlebars, and cranks all date from mid 70s. It's possible that someone made a bunch of upgrades to it. The original stem was a standard 22.2 mm diameter and was really jammed into the fork tube. It's clear that it was really a French size; maybe someone shoved it in. The cranks may also not be original, since they're Dura Ace cranks on a campy spindle in TA cups.


repechage
07-18-11, 09:42 AM
the rear dropouts date from the early 60's. The Shimano cranks are not original. It is very risky to assume much on original parts, I bet the brakes were exchanged too, a French frame would have Mafac, and in rare instances, CLB.