SvenMN 

I may have an opportunity to acquire this very French LeJeune. Opinions please on value, model year, and model.

Serial number 229

Reynolds 531 frame and fork, French threading, ~23" seat tube, ~22" top tube

Weight 24.2 pounds

27" Weinmann alloy wheels, 1 1/4" tires

Decals pretty rough, deep scratches in top tube both sides

THANKS in advance for your opinions.

joe englert

is that a sr rear derailleur? if it is..that is worth at least 200.00 by itself...first generation. guessing the coomplete bike (if that is a campy 1st gen super) is probably worth around 700.00..just guessing of course

SvenMN 

Thanks Joe.

Yep, 1st Generation Super Record. Not sure if front derailleur is SR. SR pedals. Crank is apparently Nuovo Record, as is seat post.

T-Mar

The subject bicycle is a LeJeune Champion du Monde. I suspect the SR rear derailleur and SL pedals are replacements. Too bad it's been outfitted with 27" clinchers and a modern saddle. Lever hoods are also modern. Finally, why would the owner install brake cable clips rather than using the factory cable stops? It's boom era, but I can't say the exact year. The date codes on the crankarms and locknuts may help to narrow things down.

SvenMN 

Thanks for your comments. I too am baffled by the brake clips on the top tube when the stops are present... however they are the snazzy Campy ones. The wheels are disappointing with the wide rims, heavy tires and tubes, and corroded spokes. The saddle is a throw away.

I actually have the bike right now... Where would I find the date codes on the crank? Not seeing anything other than the length.

Overall seems pretty heavy compared to my PX-10 from about the same vintage, but the Peugeot has the original tubular wheelset.

bibliobob

I think that value depends greatly on where it's being sold and in what venue. Lejeune has a small but dedicated following. So, in a smaller market and on CL, it would only fetch a few hundred. On Ebay, it could definitely fetch $700. So, a lot depends on your location and whether the seller is willing to sell. Personally, I think that it's a pretty cool bike. But, it might not fetch as much as the brands with more mass crowd appeal. Some brands are over-valued compared to their quality, and some are probably over-valued...

T-Mar

The code is a single numeral within a diamond. The numeral represents the last digit of the year of manufacture (i.e. 4 = 1974). If there is no number, then the cranks are pre 1973. There will also be a two numeral code on the back of the locknuts (i.e 72 = 1972). Of of course, there is also the patent date on the rear derailleur, adjacent to the cable recess, but given that it is probably a replacement, it with have little meaning in dating the frame.

Even with a tubular wheelset, I suspect the LeJeune will outweigh the Peugeot. Afterall, Campagnolo components were built on the robust side compared to the Simplex, Stronglight, MAFAC fare on the PX10. Also, the frame of the LeJeune is manufactured to a much higher level of workmanship and all the little extras do add weight. By comparison, the PX-10 looks like a mass produced frame.

bibliobob

+1

T-Mar

I went back and looked though some pictures of the Sonolor-LeJeune pro team in the TdF. It looks like that decal style was in use though at least 1971 and was replaced in 1972. That's interesting because if I'd had to make a guess based on the serial number, I would have said that it was the 29th frame from 1972.

SvenMN 

So far it has been seen only at the LBS. The Minnesota area, especially the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, is an active market and commands some decent prices. Somewhat slow this "spring", because it was still -5 F here this morning. I doubt if it would make its way to eBay, but it is possible.

SvenMN 

I agree with you both. The level of craftsmanship present on this frame is significantly better than my PX-10.

SvenMN 

Thanks for digging some more T-Mar... I really appreciate it. I was guessing mid-seventies so apparently it is a little older. I looked very closely at the cranks and don't see a date code. And nothing is obvious on the RD.

Biggest negative for me is the spokes/rims, followed by the paint/decal issues.

Bryan

T-Mar

FWIW, in case you don't know, Velocals has the correct decal set and is current offering a 15% discount through the end of the month.

From my perspective, the bonus of the SR rear derailleur and SL pedals just about offset the drawbacks of the rims, saddle hoods and cosmetic condition.

SvenMN 

Yep, noticed the decals on Velocals.

Would you venture an estimate of value?

T-Mar

I'm not a fan of French bicycles. In general, they're too flexy for my liking, probably due to the metric sized tubing. Consequently, I regularly undervalue French bicycles compared to other forum members.

In this particular case, I'd probably sell off the SR derailleur and SL pedals to fund the proper components. Consequently, I'd be targeting about $400 and probably walk away once it went over $500. If a repaint and decals were a priority I'd be sticking on $400 and targeting even less. I'm pretty sure there will be lots of disagreement over this.

repechage

I have a few of these bikes, so does CV-6. The reworked wheels are a minus as is the saddle. This bike is most likely the champion du monde as it has full Campagnolo and Campagnolo ends.

My guess is 1972, this was the transition year for LeJeune graphics. A bit earlier received different lugs. The later received individual block letters.
My only guesses on the alternate cable routing is the original cable housing was a bit smaller in diameter than Campagnolo, perhaps it did not thread through the forward cable guide. The exposed cables with possible sweat were vulnerable.
Frame numbers are all over the map on the top tier bikes, some without, so the frame number is not very helpful.
Date codes are suspect too, some bikes received parts a year or two before the bike was actually assembled.

The upgrades are nice, `to be frank, I would purchase a ''70 -'72 Nuovo Record rear derailleur and sell off the Super Record a la carte. The overall value of the bike will not move that much with it on.

My best guess as a whole bike as I described, $600. The Super Record rear mech, will fetch about $200 +/- and the cost of substitution will be under $100. So, $700 to $750. net The danger is if it fits... these bikes are darn nice all around bikes. I have 40 bikes +/- and I place the Lejeune in the top three.

SvenMN 

Thank you T-Mar and repechage. I value your input.

Yes, the bike fits me, and yes that is the danger

The $400 - $700 range is still well below where the owner is, but perhaps cash today when the temp is barely above 0 F might motivate the owner.

GREAT INFO! THANKS AGAIN ALL!

Bryan

T-Mar

Well, at least we seem to be in agreement on everything except the price and I expected my pricing to be the lowball, by a significant amount. C'est la vie!

repechage

Some final comments, the pedals are the SL or Superleggero pedals, not Super Record. These have steel spindles. Probably better for most folk.
The weight reads hefty, I think much of the excess is in the wheels. my 22" was 21lbs in racing trim.

If the seller wishes $1,000 that is a bother. You might have to wait for time to lapse and no other offers come up.

SvenMN 

Yep, my mistake on the pedals. As T-Mar pointed out they are SLs.

That funky saddle is surprisingly heavy, and the pics don't do justice to how awful it looks with those huge (and HEAVY) tires.

I am afraid he is even north of the $1000 mark, but then it has been hanging in the back corner of the shop for over a year.

bibliobob

That's exactly why I like French bikes. I've come to realize that I find English 531 to frequently be a bit too stiff. A lot depends on whether you're a masher or a spinner.

That being said, I think that your values aren't too far off. I'd probably consider paying $600, but would then sell the RD to bring the cost down by at least $100.

FastJake

A steel frame? Too stiff? You should try riding a big tube aluminum frame

bibliobob

I have.

That's why I ride steel

repechage

I have found bikes for sale by consignment are often overpriced, the owner wishes his price, and the bike shop gets a cut beyond that, that leaves little room to negotiate. If it has been sitting for a year, the owner appears to be in no hurry to sell.

I have recently run across similar, an owner entertained an offer on a bike, I reviewed it and discounted it due to the deterioration of the tires, brake blocks, oxidized chain, and some incorrect parts. After my offer some of the incorrect parts were found but even removing the discount for those items we were quite a ways apart. In the end my offer was just a feel good to them that someone was willing to pay that much for the bike. It would have taken a silly high offer to get a yes is my guess, and I was not ready to do that.

rjhammett

Is this the LeJeune at the Hub bike shop? If it is it has been there a long time.