Gitane numbers: what are all the numbers?

This series of posts will deal with Cycles Gitane bicyles form approximately 1969 to 1981. As best that I can determine this is the period when Cycles Gitane stamped completely numeric serial numbers on its frames.

During this time period Cycles Gitane serial numbers were stamped in two locations: the non-drive side dropout and the bottom bracket shell.

In the middle of this time period Cycle Gitane also started to stamp into the frame what I call a frame model number and size.

These posts will not cover the high end Gitane professional racing bicycle which had several different serial number formats.

During 1981 Cycles Gitane changed the serial number format and serial numbers began with a letter.