Originally Posted by
Onegun
More to the "what's your point" argument - If you want to restore a vintage bike for an occasional "show" ride, OK, but then obviously, you need to stick as closely as possible to original equipment.
If your intent is to build a tandem to actually do any serious riding on, sell the Gitane and buy a more current ride. Almost any used, quality tandem in the $500 - $1000 range will give you a ride that is head and shoulders above the Gitane. You'll spend at least that much just trying to make that one rideable, and you'll still have a very noodley, standard steel frame.
The intent is almost exactly halfway in between what you said!
I am not only in this for the tandeming, but also the shared experience of fixing the thing up with my partner, and us both riding something that works because of our own efforts. An eBay buy with the same money wouldn't be nearly so rewarding.
Also, this tandem has been in the family since it was new (almost 40 years now), and we kinda love it... The plan is for occasional serious rides, at least until I get full ownership (currently with my Aunt and Uncle, as explained above)