She's an early seventies Gitane Tour d France. The paint is in bad shape, but there is no rust or dings. She's a bit too small, but I've made changes that make her very comfortable for me.

I suppose it's odd to make a utility bike out of a road racer, but early 70's Gitanes had relaxed angles and short top tubes. It works for me.



The RD is a Super LJ from a Motobecane. I just added the SRAM 830 chain and Shimano HG 7 speed freewheel. The hubs are Mavic 501 and the rear is spaced 126mm. I cold set the frame.



The FD is fom the same Motobecane, but it's not a Super LJ. I don't know what it is, but I'm happy with it.



Simplex Retrofriction, The best friction shifters ever made.



The wierd brackets on the bars are for an Arkel internally framed bag.



The system works well. The bag is rock solid, even when I put too much weight in it. I have a matching bag for the rear.