Xaris

Hi all,

Firstly I want to say a big thank you for all the information I have found in here.

I am not an expert so please don't be tough with me.

I recently bought 2 french frames on Ebay to restore them as I like to get my hands dirty.

The first one is a Jacques Anquetil which is at its final stage (photos to come soon) and was the frame I was aiming when I placed the bid as it is ideal for the fixie I always wanted. Durifort steel, nothing really special (I think) but I like it.

My question is for the second one which needs repainting and is my long term winter project.
In the begging I thought that is at the lower end but then I noticed that the sellers claim that it is made by Reynolds 531 maybe is valid.
I am not looking to sell it but I am wondering how much I should spent on its restoration.
I know that Nord France is not a great manufacturer but I would like an opinion from someone who has more knowledge on the subject than I do.

The Frame:
Durifort forks
Simplex dropouts
Stronglight headset

In the first picture the sticker look like the remaining of a French Reynolds 531 sticker.

Can you please advice?

Thanks

T-Mar

That does indeed look like the remnants of a post 1974 Reynolds decal, but you can't tell if it for plain gauge or butted main tubes. I'm assuming it is metric tubing in which case 26.4 to 26.6mm seat posts would be standard fit for the most common gauge of a butted seat tube. However, since you are refinishing the frame, the definitive test is to examine the ends of the tubes after they have been stripped of the paint and primer. Reynolds typically stamped one end of the tube with their name and the tube gauge(s), so frame builders would know to cut from the opposite end, which had the longer butt, Since the seat tube is single butted, the stamp should be found just above the bottom bracket shell. Sometimes the stamping can be quite faint but if it's there, you have definitive proof.

Xaris

That is really helpful. Much appreciated. I will come back with more photos when I strip it down for advice on its restoration cost.

juvela

Xaris,

If you would like to learn some background on the Nord France marque and its maker you might wish to explore the Tontonvelo forum.

Here are two threads for a start. A poster mentions that as of 1958 the company operated factories in two cities.

Forum Tonton Vélo ? Afficher le sujet - Vélo Femme marque Nord France

Forum Tonton Vélo ? Afficher le sujet - Nord France (Saint Omer)

Xaris

Juvela,

Thanks for the link. Google translate did the job.
Now I am really curious to see how it rides so I think it is going to be early Autumn project

Filochard

@Xaris, maybe you'll find the description of your bike on the flyer for sale here https://www.leboncoin.fr/collection/977687473.htm

PS: I'm not the seller nor linked with him ;-)

Xaris

Hi guys,

An update. I did weight the frame today without the forks but with the headset cups on the frame and the one side of the bottom bracket and it is 2200 gr. What do you think? I will probably strip down the paint in the weekend.

Thanks

juvela

Thanks for this update Xaris.

Looking forward to the next installment.

You might wish to give some thought to preserving the original finish. Lots of discussion threads on this topic together with plenty of preservation/restoration tips are to be found here at the forum.

Xaris

I am definetely on the side of preservation as long as the frame is functional. I know it is a shame but the paint is so bad! I believe that it was all red once.. and it is full of rust. The decals are coming off except the one on the steering tube which I will probably save. I am tending to repait it red (close to the original).
If you have any good idea in how I can preserve more I would be glad to hear.

Thanks again. Much appreciated.

CV-6 

You have a pretty nice frame in the Nord France. Not top of the line but from what I can see well finished. It is unfortunate that the marking will be lost when you refinish. If you want to go to the trouble, you might want to contact Gus Salmon about reproducing them. He does excellent work. I would if it were mine. I like the lesser known marques.

juvela

Two distaffers -

azurene with rare lefthand drive



https://www.leboncoin.fr/velos/999120981.htm?ca=12_s

verde -



https://www.leboncoin.fr/velos/999120981.htm?ca=12_s

Xaris

Hi guys,

As promised.

Jacques Anquetil - Unknown brand (suggestions welcome)

Tubular rims (original).
Normandy hubs (original)
Belleri steerer. Temporary. It came off the Nord France and I have now a CTA to replace it.
Weinmann brakes (for safety, I am new to fixed gear)
Original crankset.
Durifort frame and forks
Wrights saddle.

T-Mar

Based on the long stay cap flutes and dropouts, this appears to this appears to be a legitimate Jacques Anquetil brand bicycle. I've seen this particular logo on models with mid to late 1970s entry level components. The Durifort tubing and tubular tyres are typical of many French the club racers of the period.

Cizeron and possibly Jeunet started manufacturing bicycles under Anquetil's name in the mid-1960s through to at least the 1973. The dropouts appear to be the same as known Cizeron product but other features appear different, though this could be a style change, as opposed to manufacturer. Perhaps Filochard will know if this is a Cizeron product.

Xaris

Thanks T-Mar,

If you need more pictures please let me know.
Everything original is quite average as you say.
It rides lovely thought and I rally like the frame (yes even with this colour).
I believe that if I invest in a "new" crank it will be amazing.
Any suggestion welcome.

Cheers

Filochard

It's probably a bike made in the 1970's by the Cycles France-Loire, one of the main builders from Saint-Etienne (Loire department) of this period like Cizeron, Mercier, Manufrance etc.

The headbadge could give information.

juvela

Thanks to T-Mar et Filochard for this excellent information!

Looking forward to additional imagery of Jacques...

Xaris

Spot on!

It is stated on the headbadge but I thought it was just the area (ignorance )

Juvela I will upload better photos in the future but I hope these will satisfy you for now.

Any ideas about the question of the post?
I have decided that I will save everything possible bur I will repaint the Nord France.
I purchaced an 80s Shimano 600 groupset and wheels from ebay (waiting for it) which are coming with seatpost, handlebars, headset and 531 forks (I know actually every thing except the frame) in a really good price.

What do you think?

Any suggestion for a crankset on Jacques?

juvela

Thanks very much for this additional portraiture de Jacques Xaris.

Love that head transfer. It is one have not before viewed.

He appears to have been constructed with all Nervex bits; lugs, crown and ends.

You asked for chainset suggestions for him. First which comes to mind is Verot 49D, looks great, period correct and offers a huge choice of chainwheels. Another would be the NERVAR Star five-pin in its pre-76 form. Same chainwheel choices as the 49D.

Road ensemble on the for Nord France: keep in mind you will require metric dimension stem, bottom bracket cups, headset. 600 seems a odd choice but it is your project.

wrt the respray: do not know who reportedly said this first but it seems appropriate here - "It's only original once."

Thanks again. Take your time and enjoy the process.