Hi all!

Im a 30-something from hilly Norway with a new won facination for the good old pedalhorse. My colleague just got hooked on fixed gear bikes. He pulled me in, but im lost on old racers. More specifically the Gitane bikes. Dont ask me why. The Italians are nicer, and I generally like italian design and food and cars and stuff, but im looking for quirky french winners.

I want a bike to take out for a ride every now and then, but Im no serious rider. I currently have a Spezialized Rockhopper comp from the last years of the steelframe years, back in 96. Alu frames was on the market, of course, but my good salesman said that the value of steel frames was so much better. I bought his arguments, and the bike, and have kept the bike close to my heart ever since. I rides like a dream, and I love it. I wil never rid of it. So as you can tell, Im a sucker for the sleek old steelframes, and like and master some mechanics work.

Now Id like to get out on the road, but the alu and carb-monsters is not my cup of gin. Yet. So, im looking for hi-end steel at bargain prices. And I need som help to get going. Thats why Im here...

I had my eye on something I thougt was a Gitane TdF from 84, which people rave about, that is put out for sale at the norwegian equivalent of eBay. It had the chrome forks and red paint and all, and it was going at 400$. But I believe I have called its "bluff". The crankset is more lowend, its fixed up with weinmann brakes, and the braketube does not "dive" into the top tube of the frame. Im in disgusted sorrow, thoug I havent actually seen the bike and tried it - it might suit me just fine, but the price doesnt seem right any more.

So I found another Gitane, but this is a mystery. It seems older, the seller claims the frame is stiff and light. It has been painted, I think, and later fitted with Shimano 105 gear and krankset. The pics dont tell much, exept the one from the front. The headset seems old. The one decal on it is on the headset, and Im guessing mid to late 70ies. The rims seem original. I think it is very exiting, though it looks like ****, as a little fixup project, given it fix me? Again the asking price is around the 400$ mark - a bit steep. I want to make sure this is a good frame, Reynold 531, or equal. Three Qs:

What can i look for to determine its original quality?
Is there any way to identify a Reynold 531 frame?
What should I fit on it?
Any other tips on what would fit my needs for functional racer and a little fixup project?