brantbatson

Hi everyone and thanks in advance for any help. I have spent hours on google and various forums just trying to find some history on this bike. I am hoping to find out more about this bike such as age, quality, value and whether to restore it or not? Here is what I do know:

-Alpina headbadge and decals
-Metallic copper paint
-BCM stamped under headbadge
-Serial #12984
-Normandy hubs
-27" x 1 1/4" Rigida rims
-The Special IRC Tyre
-52/45 chain rings
-Durax crank arms
-ATOM freewheel
-MAFAC brakes
-PIVO stem
-Huret downtube shifters
-Huret front derailleur
-Huret Allvit rear derailleur

So that is everything I could find on the bike. I did see a single post (can't remember where) that a guy said he bought one used around 1962 that sounded identicle. I hope everyone will be able to help me finally figure out this mystery. Thanks!

wrk101

Based on the parts, its pretty close to entry level. Whether to restore, and how far to go, is a personal decision. If you are thritfy, and willing to do the work yourself, you can probably get that bike into good rideable condition for $30 to $50. As an investment, restoring that bike will not have a great return. But as a keeper, for not much more money, you can have a nice vintage ride.

I am myself going ahead with a restoration of an old Raleigh folder. It will not be worth much when I am done, so I am going to be careful on the spending, and I plan to keep the bike. If I was just planning to sell it, I would do better selling it as is. The cost to restore, even when I am careful on the spending, will be pretty close to its finished value.

T-Mar

Well, that is a 2nd generation Huret Allvit rear derailleur, which was produced 1961-1968. The Allvit was a pretty good derailleur during this period. While the bicycle is nothing special, it's also not bottom of the barrel for the era. Unfortunately, by the early 1970s things had improved just enough that it was typical of bottom of the line models. Since there's little to distinguish it from entry level, boom era, French bicycles and it is a little known brand, it has little value. However, as suggested in the previous post, it could make a nice vintage ride for a small investment.

brantbatson

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I have a decision to make. I may just put it on CL to see if I have any decent offers and if not, I guess I will just keep it until I find somehing else that catches my eye. Thanks again!