Originally Posted by
rootboy
Yes. According to the experts over on CR, they actually brazed on seat stay caps on the early ones, and later just bent the ends of the tubing over and brazed it shut, I guess. I've never seen one. Would love to own one but too rich for my blood. Have to be happy with my purple TdF for now.
By the way, what year is yours?
The blue SC I showed is a 1972 according to the hub locknuts and according to the original owner (who bought and licensed it in early 1973 iir).
I traveled 150 miles (one way) out to San Jose to buy it after dark for what I thought was a very reasonable $450. I bought his wife's more lowly Libertas at the same time for another $100, and was able to get them to hold the Gitane (and stay up late) by offering to take both. The guy got several calls even during the time that I was at their house, since their Craigslist listing had a very good photo and description.