Originally Posted by
Grand Bois
When do we get to see pictures of the bike?
I don't know how to identify the year of a Gitane. I just know that mine is older than '74 because it has foil decals.
Here is a picture (posted it last week as well) :
As far as the identification of the year, it was done by deduction, because I cannot find a 1969 catalog. Here it goes:
Decals make it 73 or earlier (at '74 they changed the decals).
This bike is a full 531, including stays and fork. The last year the TdF was full 531 was 1971/2, so this has to be earlier than '73.
In 1970 and 1971 bikes there is a seat stay bridge through which the rear cable passes through. My bike has a Mafac guide that attaches to the seat post screws.
The 1968 has the same attached guide, but not a Stronglight 93 crank (like my bike), which first appeared on a '70 bike.
This makes 1969 a good guess, don't you think?
If you post a picture of your Gitane, I will try to find it in a catalog. The 1972 is missing as well...