1971(?) LeJeune
12-28-16, 01:48 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
1971(?) LeJeune
Now that I have been bitten by the French bike bug, I was wondering what this (possibly) 1971 LeJeune might be worth. The ebay listing ended without any bids, starting at $700. It was listed at least three times at that starting price.
Most recent listing
I have asked the seller if he still has this available, and he does. What do you think is a fair offer for this bike?
Most recent listing
This is a Lejeune bike that I bought from a collector. I've since replaced it with a Mercier so it needs to go.
Bike is in good shape with no rust other than light surface from some small paint chips
Frame is 56cm c-c. Top tube is 57cm c-c
Parts are all period correct, Simplex rear derailleur and shifters, Huret front derailleur, Mafac Racer brakes, Normandy hubs and polished tubular rims. Brooks Professional saddle and Phillipe bars and stem.
Serial Number is G 182901 if that helps to date the bike. I think it's from around 1971
One picture shows the bike with brown bar tape. But the bike now has new white Tressostar cotton tape.
Bike is in good shape with no rust other than light surface from some small paint chips
Frame is 56cm c-c. Top tube is 57cm c-c
Parts are all period correct, Simplex rear derailleur and shifters, Huret front derailleur, Mafac Racer brakes, Normandy hubs and polished tubular rims. Brooks Professional saddle and Phillipe bars and stem.
Serial Number is G 182901 if that helps to date the bike. I think it's from around 1971
One picture shows the bike with brown bar tape. But the bike now has new white Tressostar cotton tape.
12-28-16, 07:13 PM
#2
Senior Member
I like these bikes. They ride well.
note the chain stay guard OVER the chrome… my guess chrome underneath is toast. Common for French Chrome.
Bike appears to have a mix of components, the rear mech. is later and a slight upgrade, the front may be a Huret Jubilee, so exchanged too and definitely an upgrade.
$400. I have purchased two full Campagnolo LeJeunes for that much each.
That offer may just tick off the seller though.
Unfortunately he is above market, $500 would be the absolute limit, landed.
Seller nearby? answered that,
look like he is in Orange County Ca.
Long road trip.
Bikeflights might be a way to ship.
note the chain stay guard OVER the chrome… my guess chrome underneath is toast. Common for French Chrome.
Bike appears to have a mix of components, the rear mech. is later and a slight upgrade, the front may be a Huret Jubilee, so exchanged too and definitely an upgrade.
$400. I have purchased two full Campagnolo LeJeunes for that much each.
That offer may just tick off the seller though.
Unfortunately he is above market, $500 would be the absolute limit, landed.
Seller nearby? answered that,
look like he is in Orange County Ca.
Long road trip.
Bikeflights might be a way to ship.
12-28-16, 07:21 PM
#3
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by repechage
note the chain stay guard OVER the chrome… my guess chrome underneath is toast. Common for French Chrome.
Thanks for your input!
12-28-16, 07:28 PM
#4
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$700 is obviously too high. Post no. 2 is spot on about the price. A good starting place for a top end French bike like this in very good condition is $400-$500.
12-28-16, 08:50 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
Well, I sent him an offer of $425... we'll see what response I get! 
12-28-16, 09:49 PM
#6
Senior Member
Originally Posted by johnnyace
Well, I sent him an offer of $425... we'll see what response I get!
Concurrent ref Bikeflights, I think they will even send you a box. From time to time shipper's insurance will deny a claim as you used a recycled box. ( allegedly use weakens the cardboard )
12-29-16, 06:47 AM
#7
Senior Member
There is a Lejeune sitting on the Houston CL for about half the price. Same model but a little newer. It has been there for a while.
12-29-16, 06:49 AM
#8
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12-29-16, 09:25 AM
#9
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Originally Posted by seypat
Equally fragile chrome.
I think this Houston bike is a good deal.
Still a long distance buy, but less cash at risk.
The comments about the wheels may indicate rims will need replacement, always thinking about the bright side of life...
12-29-16, 09:35 AM
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It does appear to be very early 1970s based on the frame features and should be a 2nd from the top of the line Professional model with Reynolds 531DB. However, the major components are all wrong. The Stronglight crankset is from the late 1970s, as is the Simplex LJ rear derailleur. Worse yet, there's a Huret Jubilee on the front. Also, wrong brake levers and post. That chainstay protector is probably hiding some seriously damaged chrome. IMO, it's too much at half the price. The Houston C/L bicycle is at least period correct mid-1970s model, except for the wheelset, and far more reasonably priced.
12-29-16, 10:03 AM
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Buggered up DS pedal threads on the Houston CL bike. Crank looks useless.
The one in the OP is a beautiful bike.
The one in the OP is a beautiful bike.
12-29-16, 11:05 AM
#12
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12-29-16, 04:55 PM
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I have the same model, also from the early '70's. Instead of the opaque red finish it has the flambouyant red. Like the example under discussion it has had a few fittings replaced by a previous owner. The Juy pushrod front mech was replaced with a Campag pushrod [
]. The plain pillar was replaced with a Campag Record. The balance of the fittings were original. Wheels are Normandy Luxe Competition gold label with Mavic Montlery tubular rims.
If CV-6, or other Bernie sage, knows the correct model name/designation will be interested to learn of it.
Thank you for posting. Good item and interesting discussion.
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I have the same model, also from the early '70's. Instead of the opaque red finish it has the flambouyant red. Like the example under discussion it has had a few fittings replaced by a previous owner. The Juy pushrod front mech was replaced with a Campag pushrod [
]. The plain pillar was replaced with a Campag Record. The balance of the fittings were original. Wheels are Normandy Luxe Competition gold label with Mavic Montlery tubular rims.If CV-6, or other Bernie sage, knows the correct model name/designation will be interested to learn of it.
Thank you for posting. Good item and interesting discussion.
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12-29-16, 04:58 PM
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Originally Posted by johnnyace
12-29-16, 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by juvela
...If CV-6, or other Bernie sage, knows the correct model name/designation will be interested to learn of it...
12-29-16, 05:39 PM
#16
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Originally Posted by trailangel
Buggered up DS pedal threads on the Houston CL bike. Crank looks useless.
The one in the OP is a beautiful bike.
The one in the OP is a beautiful bike.
12-29-16, 07:41 PM
#17
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Thread Starter
I like the chromed head tube lugs on my OP model pics; both the Houston bike and the other one on ebay are not as appealing, in that respect.
*oooohhh, shiny!*
*oooohhh, shiny!*
12-29-16, 07:52 PM
#18
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by T-Mar
It does appear to be very early 1970s based on the frame features and should be a 2nd from the top of the line Professional model with Reynolds 531DB. However, the major components are all wrong. The Stronglight crankset is from the late 1970s, as is the Simplex LJ rear derailleur. Worse yet, there's a Huret Jubilee on the front. Also, wrong brake levers and post. That chainstay protector is probably hiding some seriously damaged chrome. IMO, it's too much at half the price. The Houston C/L bicycle is at least period correct mid-1970s model, except for the wheelset, and far more reasonably priced.
Originally Posted by juvela
The BOCAMA Competition 78 series lugset marks this as a later machine than the one under discussion.
Originally Posted by T-Mar
In the early 1970s, yhe Reynolds 531DB model with Campagnolo dropouts was the Le Jeune Champion du Monde. The Reynolds 531DB model with Simplex dropouts was the Le Jeune Professional.
12-29-16, 08:21 PM
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I would agree that the price is too high really only $400 bike. Also one clue as to the real age is the style of rear dropout with top stay cable hook guide which clearly places it early very early 70's.
12-30-16, 01:48 PM
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Forgot to mention -
Stock peds on my example are 460D.
Headset is ordinary Lightrace - looks as though machine under discussion wears the same.
Thanks again for posting.
Thank you T-Mar for the model name information. Have had mine about a dozen years and never knew the correct model name for it. Much appreciated.
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Forgot to mention -
Stock peds on my example are 460D.
Headset is ordinary Lightrace - looks as though machine under discussion wears the same.
Thanks again for posting.
Thank you T-Mar for the model name information. Have had mine about a dozen years and never knew the correct model name for it. Much appreciated.
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Last edited by juvela; 12-31-16 at 04:59 PM. Reason: addition
12-30-16, 02:09 PM
#21
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Well, no reply from the seller after offering $425 a couple of days ago, so I would imagine he was offended by the suggestion, and chose not to dignify it with an answer.
12-30-16, 02:16 PM
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I suspect the seller would rather continue to own the bike rather than sell it at a reasonable price. There are a lot of optimistic sellers out there with inventory, .
.
12-30-16, 04:02 PM
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WRT value -
Paid ~120USD for mine on ebay some years back. Good average condition, no damage, original finish. Brooks Pro. Seller was only about twenty miles from my home so local pickup was a consideration in choosing purchase.
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WRT value -
Paid ~120USD for mine on ebay some years back. Good average condition, no damage, original finish. Brooks Pro. Seller was only about twenty miles from my home so local pickup was a consideration in choosing purchase.
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12-30-16, 04:11 PM
#24
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Those tubulars look old and dried-out. Couldn't he put a set of new tires on it?
12-30-16, 05:30 PM
#25
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Originally Posted by johnnyace
Well, no reply from the seller after offering $425 a couple of days ago, so I would imagine he was offended by the suggestion, and chose not to dignify it with an answer.
If nothing next week, then you were blown off.
Related story, made an offer on a property, it was owned by a syndicate, they did counter, but just was not that motivated to accept their counter. Listing Broker did acknowledge that they finally were figuring out where they were as a group. Another 6 months, they reduced the price to my original offer, no takers. The place sold for another 20% LESS in the end. But to the next serious buyer, the moral? Sometimes it takes one or more to make market reasonable offers before the seller accepts reality.
