It's a late 1971 or maybe early 1972 Gitane Tour de France.

[MENTION=101154]big chainring[/MENTION] listed the parts commonly found on those bikes. Do a search in the Vintage Forum on the gitaneUSA.com website. Look for my posts under verktyg and Tour de France for more info.

Here's my almost all original 1971 Tour de France - I changed the cables, tires and added a Brooks Pro. Even the factory wrapped bar tape and plugs are original! It was sold by Wares Cycles in Milwaukee BITD!



Back during the bike boom, components were always in short supply. Gitane used at least 4 different types of Simplex dropouts plus even Campy dropouts on a few TdFs.

Your bike has the Simplex ref. 881 forged steel dropouts without an integral derailleur hanger.



This was the standard Simplex TdF dropouts used from 1971 through 1973.



The front derailleur was most likely replaced because the Delrin plastic bodies on the Simplex push rod FDs were notorious for cracking plus they shifted like merde!

The original wheels came with sewups and maybe someone swapped them out for clinchers.

As to why the Stronglight 93 cranks were replaced, who knows. Left side cranks from the classic era developed cracks, especially around the pedal holes more frequently than the right crank arms. Maybe that why they were changed out???

You can get replacement foil decals from Cyclomondo on eBay or direct from Greg in OZ at cyclomondo.net. they sell for $45.00 USD plus several dollars shipping.

I worked with Greg when he was designing them so they're accurate.




verktyg

Chas.