philippec

I lucked into a pristine but not NOS late 70's-early 80's jewel of a french randonneuse from Bertin. This thing isn't a R. Herse or Singer but it is in immaculate condition and is chock full of french period parts. The model is the Cyclotouriste (nothing like being clear about what this bike was made for!) and, sadly, is waaay to big for me -- it is a 64cm! So I am considering selling it off on ebay -- the question is will I burn in H. E. double hockey sticks and know the everlasting torment that is the deepest circle of Hades if I part out this baby?

just slightly ethically tormented....

Highlights include:
Full MAFAC racer levers and centerpulls w/ near NOS rubber hoods,
Simplex metal plate Prestige Super L.J. long cage rear mech.,
Unknown Huret front mech.,
Huret mech levers,
Stronglight drilled out model 105 triple crank w/ matching dustcaps,
Lyotard pedals w/ Christophe clips and straps,
Atax stem,
Custom front handlebar bag rack,
full chrome fenders front and back with rear rack incorporated,
Huret mechanical bike odometer,
Normandy large flange 36 hole hubs,
Rigida diamond sidewall superchromix rims,
Pristine Ideale Mod. 39 full grain leather saddle,
Lapize tricolor frame pump,
Lugged Durifort frame -- deep turquise blue w/ lug outlines paineted in gold...


Here are some pics of the beauty...

A+


Philippe

philippec

last few pictures....

number6

This might be one of the few cases where selling it whole, or at least trying to with a reserve is worth it. Some of the parts wil fetch well, others will not. Review ebay auctions of the key parts and then decide. I purchased a frame like this in a 57cm (Center to top) a while ago for $165., with Headset & seat post. A larger frame may not go as high. Also ebay is not a perfect market as it takes two who want the same part at the same time to get the big dollars.

If it does not sell with a reserve... look for a smaller frame perhaps. Do not forget that it takes time to take a bike apart and then prep the stuff for auction.

What size do you normally ride?

Poguemahone

64cm center to center or center to top?
I'd sell it whole. So I could bid on it...

Noah Scape

If it is 64 center to center, I'd like a shot at it! Throw a nice TA front bag on there and I'm in heaven!

Blue Order

I'd give my right arm...wait, I need that... well, I'd give something valuable to have that WHOLE in 58cm, and the cash to bid! What a sweet, sweet bike!

John E

In this case, with all-original components, the whole may be worth more than the sum of the parts.

philippec

Thanks for the input -- I usually ride a 57-58 cm frame. This one, on the other hand is 64 cm center of bb to top of seat tube (and is stamped a 64 on the rear dropout) and 62.5 center to center. The TT is 57.5 cm center to center.

I've surfed around a bit on e-bay's completed auctions and based on that have come up w/ the following estimates for the components:rear derailleur (~120-150 USD, esp. since I haven't seeen many long cages), the crankset (~120-150 USD -- not many triples), the fenders and rear rack (maybe 100-120USD?), the wheels (? Normandy hubs go for a fair price but these aren't the competition models -- maybe 80 USD for the pair?), the stem (50 USD?), the front bag holder (~40 USD), the brakeset (40-60 USD?), front derailleur (10-20USD?), the pedals (10-20 USD?) and the pump (15 USD?).

Of course, like you said, it all depends on there being *at least* two people interested in each component for the parts to fetch these prices but, assuming there *are* at least two people interested in each auction, I am guessing that the parts outlined above will fetch in the range of 600 USD. Is a 600 USD reserve or starting price unreasonable for this ensemble -- I'm undecided, sometimes I think "600 USD is a damn good price for this time-warp bike" and at other times I roll my eyes and "600 USD for this old bike.... dream on!"

Perhaps if it doesn't go for at least that, maybe I'll have to get myself stretched out on the rack to ride this beauty!

Also, I am assuming that shipping is going to be an issue with this bike since I live in Paris and am guessing that those bidders most interested in this package will be in the US or possibly in Japan/Germany?

Am I completely off base? Input much appreciated!

A+

Philippe

number6

Not many Japanese basketball players, if you want to sell to them, state that you could ship them everything BUT the frame & fork. Some of your estimates seem accurate, others a bit hopeful. The frame condition is a plus, size is a negative. Shipping a bike from France to the USA is not cheap, as the frame is big it will probably be oversize, you should check, I would expect $200.USD+ to send it here, less if in two bozes, wheels, fenders fork and cranks off required.

philippec

Thanks for the insight.

I had momentarily overlooked (if that was even possible with this double-size frame) the sizing issue for the japanese market! Surely I can brand this is a "vertical" jitensha tandem ;-)

Shipping will probably be in two boxes -- although I have trips planned to both the States and Japan later this year so maybe I can "deliver" the whole thing... at least partway. I guess I'll need to check with UPS/DHL etc. to get some price quotes.

Yes, probably being too optimistic on some parts ... but I guess I'll try it out on e-bay with a 575 starter and a 625 BIN to see what happens.

Here's how I think it might play out:

List it on ebay.....

......sound of crickets chirping......


keep the damn thing and slowly part it out.

Thanks again!

Philippe

Grand Bois

The rear derailer is certainly not original.

Are you sure that the hubs are not Normandy Luxe Competition? There will be a ridge near the spoke holes. Cheap Normandy hubs seem out of place.