Yes. In 1968 Gitane changed the model number for their Tour de France bikes from 102 to 585.

The French were infamous for frugality. Instead of creating new fork stickers for TdF bikes, they cut the 102 number off with scissors!



http://www.gitaneusa.com/images/cata...8/1968_pg3.jpg

BTW, on the European market TdF frames, only the 3 main tubes were butted Reynolds 531. This continued up to the 1976 models when they went to all Reynolds tubing. Only the forks were 1/2 chrome plated. The rear triangles were painted. They came with either Simplex or Huret rear dropouts depending on the brand of derailleurs the bike was equipped with.

The French thought very highly of Huret derailleurs - they were their answer to all metal Campagnolo derailleurs!


The TdF bikes imported into the US by Mel Pinto Imports had all Reynolds 531 frames (except for the steerer, head tube and brake bridge). The rear triangle was 1/2 chromed and they all came with Simplex Criterium derailleurs. They weren't available until the spring of 1969.

In 1974 importation and distribution of Gitanes in the US switched to Gitane Pacific. The few Tour de France bikes that they imported came with 27" wheels rather than sewups. Otherwise they were the same as the European market bikes and had Huret honeycomb rear dropouts.

verktyg

Chas.