Hi, very fortunate to have these forums going, anyway- last week I purchased a Gitane Vuelta ( year I think to be 1987 although I'm not so sure?! ) It has pretty much full Shimano 600 arabesque components, apart from the headset. I am having a great trouble finding this bike in any Gitane catalogs, only one close is the 78 French Gitane catalog (the same decals of the frame lead me to suggest this year). If anyone can shed any light on this bike it would be greatly appreciated. I have been scouring many forums but with no real luck. I am aware that Gitanes were made different for each market, French, US, UK, Japan. I am unclear regarding this Gitane as components are Shimano 600 Arabesque ( think they did this for the Japanese market ?) however I believe the frame to be a French frame. If anyone has some information on this period of Gitane and the bike it would be great.

I am currently restoring the bike to its former glory. Not upgrading components etc, only will change brake cables and bearings I imagine.

Here are some pictures. Thank you very much-glad to be a member of this.