bmwstbill

Vintagers,
Bought this off Craigs list.
Have I lost it?
I need a front DR to match the rear.
No it won't see new paint.
Is it historical or junk?
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroral...ran-sport.html
or
https://oldtenspeedgallery.com/owner-...gh-gran-sport/
Help?
bill

I'm going to guess that this bike was produced in the early 1960's. It's a 27" frame with a standover height of 32". Appearance wise the bike is somewhat worse for wear with major paint fading/chipping. On the other hand the original componants, with the exception of the brake levers and the saddle, have held up pretty well. I think the bike would be rideable with new tires, tubes & cables. The bike has a Campagnolo rear derailleur which still shifts very smoothly, but doesn't look as if it ever had a front derailleur even though it has double chainrings(?) This would make an interesting bike to restore for riding, to ride as is, or even just to display if you're into that.

ozneddy

It aint junk !

steve-d

Very nice.

Does it only have the rear derailleur shifter? If so, you'll need the following to operate the front:

Clamp on dual shifter levers; and
Clamp on cable guides; and
front derailleur.

That's it!

Steve

redneckwes

Need better/larger pics, but I'd say that was a '62 or '63 GS from the paint scheme. Looks like a 23" frame.

canopus 

Yes its junk. I will be very happy to help you get rid of it so it doesn't contaminate the rest of your herd.

old and new

To buy a period correct Campy Fr. derailer could cost ten to a hundred and ten dollars. Other members here more focused on old Campy could det. what's original on that bike which is most likely priced inbetween (used). If it was my bike I would simply use a different brand altogether, anything will work. So it depends on how deep you want to reach. Enter the restore or ride option. Two other points: old campy FR. Ders. required occassional fiddling, I've also found that reaching or over-reaching may not get you a better return in the end if you decide to sell it. Unless you get the entire bike very well restored. A repl. der. could considered in the interim. Also the shifters?

nlerner

Original front derailleur was a rod-operated Cyclo Benelux; that's why there's just the right-side shifter. And given the value of those FD "suicide shifters," that's why it's not there anymore.

Neal

dbakl

Not a high-tech racer but an interesting bike for the time. There was one one ebay I was admiring the other day.

Yes, the rod front will probably be hard to find. I could give you a Valentino front, which is similar in appearance the the Gran Sport, and maybe a set of levers...

due ruote 

You do know what subforum you're on, right? You haven't lost it, any more than the rest of us. I'd call that a very sweet find.

bmwstbill

Thanks to all who responded.

As it turns out the bicycle pictured in the second link is the actual bicycle I purchased so you can view some high quality pictures of my find. I appreciate all the advice on the front DR and especially the post from dbakl, I will PM you later to try to arrange for the Valentino. My plan is to clean everything up but to save the patina. That's what attracted me. That, plus I was 17 in 1962 headed for college in Madison, Wisconsin where I found this bike. Of course what happened in Madison in the '60's is a matter of history.
Let's just say I've never been the same what with dead Kennedy's(and King's), the war and the revolution.

So I can visualize that old 10 speed tearing down State Street faster than the cars, mission unknown.
Thanks again,
Bill

JunkYardBike

I actually like the frame the way it is. You might be able to clean it and revive the paint under the grime, but why? I probably would clean and lube the RD, but not polish it. I'd also try to stabilize any severe rust and the rust on the chrome, but nothing too radical. I'd probably try to find a saddle though.

I may be the recipient of an incomplete '62 GS myself soon, and I hope to go the patina resto route.