Originally Posted by A.Winthrop

Hi,
.
I've got two Rene Herse "Light Weight" touring bikes (54cm,
56cm) built for my inlaws in 1965 and passed along to my
family some years ago. Both bikes have a rather odd derailleur
arrangement and I wonder if anyone out there can explain it.
.
The bikes have Campagnolo Record front and rear derailleurs
but both front and rear have been modified. The rear pulley
cages have been lengthened by cutting them and welding in
pieces of steel between the pullies. The front cages have been
similarly lengthened. I assume both modifications were aimed
at converting a racing double setup to accommodate a touring triple.
.
Questions:
.
Has anyone seen this done on any other Herse bike and, if so,
why the modification when other touring derailleur choices
(ie. Huret Luxe , et al) were available?
.
And could this setup have been done by Herse or might it have
been a trendy thing among Herse owners at the time, perhaps
as an attempt to work around what some considered
to be the poorly shifting Huret Luxe derailleur of the day?
.
And, finally, an unrelated question for a Herse owner. Any
recommendation on matching Herse's classic blue paint for
touching up a few chips and scrapes?
.
Thanks
.
Attached are seven pics of the 56cm Herse bike. These were taken
a decade or so ago when I first received the bikes. Both bikes look
much better today after a gentle but thorough cleaning and waxing
earlier this year and both are mechanically perfect now after an
overhaul of bb, headset, hub and pedal bearings, et al, under the
guidance of Mike Barry, the Toronto bike builder and restorer.
Thanks Mike!
.
Note the saddle angle. Hurts, doesn't it. My father-in-law liked it that way!
.
Below are specs of the 56cm Herse. The 54cm's specs are the
same except it has Lyotard #23 platform pedals:
.
RENE HERSE - C. 1965
.
General description:
.
Man's light-blue painted (shop original) 15-speed "light
weight" touring bike. "Rene HERSE" is painted in large gold,
letters on both sides of down tube. "Made in France" is painted in
smaller gold letters between "Rene HERSE". "RH" appears in large
gold letters on front of steering post. Gold pin striping appears
on tubes and front and rear forks. "Owner's Name," for whom the
bike was custom built, is painted on top tube in same gold paint
and lettering as above.
.
Size=56cm c-c (22")
Weight=20 lbs (approximately).
.
Frame and fork are of Reynolds 531 tubing and are labled as
such. Steering tube is marked: "Reynolds 531 Built 16/13."
.
Components:
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1. TA "Criterium" triple crankset (170mm); chainrings (50-42-28).
Markings are in a circle around an inscribed sprocket read:
"Dural forge garantie. Cegedur" (Forged Dural, guaranteed
light/durable). "Made in France" is clearly inscribed.
.
2. Campagnolo BB cups (Brev. Inter; 35x1) but TA Criterium
spindle (134mm; 56mm shoulder to shoulder, measured outside edge to
outside edge; 44mm drive side end and 35mm off-drive side end,
both measured from closest shoulder edge to end).
.
3. Campagnolo quill pedals with Brevete AFA "Sprint" (French)
chrome-plated toe clips with white leather straps.
.
4. Merate Regina G.S. Corse (Italian) 5-speed freewheel (14-
16-18-21-24) Regina chain.
.
5. Campagnolo Record front & rear derailleurs\shift levers.
.
6. Stronglight "Competition" headset.
.
7. Schefren bars; Rene Herse stem. "Original Owner, Owner's
address" engraved in circle on screw-in cap covering handle bar
tightening bolt.
.
8. Weinmann center-pull brakes (front and rear) and brake levers.
.
9. Mavic MA2 rims (36H) front and rear.
.
10. Campagnolo NR front and rear hubs with matching QR skewers.
.
11. Campagnolo seat post; Brooks Professional dark brown
leather racing saddle.
.
12. TA bottle holder (braze on).
.
NOTES:
.
This Herse bike has some curious annomolies. The Campagnolo
derailleurs are not only not original to this bike but have been
altered for use with a triple crankset by cutting the pulley\chain
rear\front cages and extending their lengths by welding pieces of
steel across the gaps. Huret Luxe touring derailleurs were
typically fitted to Herse touring bikes of the 1960s when this bike
was made.
.
Another annomoly is the use of French-threaded Campagnolo
bottom bracket cups with the TA "Criterium" crankset and matching
spindle. TA cups would be correct.
.
Ends
.