Gitane
 

Looking for information on the model/year of this Gitane. I had a look over at Gitaneusa and could not find this color scheme in the catalogs. Any information would b appreciated.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460704http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460702
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460703

Going out out on a limb, I will suggest that the color scheme is a repaint. I see only the down tube decals, and nothing else, suggesting new cosmetics.

It is entirely possible that the components are of an upgraded nature, upgraded meaning newer school stuff. If, however, the components are original, they can be used to help identify the bicycle's vintage.

1984 decals, but I would agree it's a respray. Then you have to do a little more research to find out if it's truly a Gitane. Check out the forums at gitaneusa.com and ask for their help

Maybe the yellow was added on over the original blue? The internal cable guides and spacing look very Gitane to me. I'm going to guess Gitane Criterium made with Vitus 983 tubing off the bat for fun. What is the BB shell?

The frame is probably a 1984 Team Pro Replica made of Columbus SL tubing. Everything looks right including the Stronglight A9 headset. These were sold as bare frames and complete bikes.

During that time period Trek was marketing Gitanes in the US under the Cycles de France marque. As part of the arrangement, Gitane was marketing Trek MTBs and motocross bikes in France....An unholy alliance if there ever was one!

I'm always leery of odd things like mismatched forks, repainted rear triangles and so on. The yellow paint looks like a rattle can job. The rear dropouts were chrome plated but they've been painted over. Supposedly the Simplex dropouts that were used on these models had a reputation for breaking???

The Shimano components are from a little later in the 80's.

My guess is it had a brief encounter with a garage door or overhang when on a roof rack... or the rear triangle was somehow crushed or otherwise damaged. :eek:

Here's the 1984 Gitane catalog pictures showing the top 3 models:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460730

My 1984 Team Pro:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460732

In the words of Monty Python Holy Grail, "Run away! Run Away!"

verktyg :50:

Chas.

That's what I was thinking as well. I suspect the yellow was just sprayed over the original blue paint, god knows why.

Yes, they did, and Trek did the warranty repairs for North America. I still have a bag of drive-side dropouts from that period.

http://www.os2.dhs.org/~john/simplex-dos.jpg

I don't think think frame was one we repaired, though, as it would have been repainted in a proper fashion.

The fork crown does seem to suggest an 80's Gitane Team Pro Replica, but what happened to the all important racing number tag mounting tang that's supposed to be under the top tube??..????..?...?:rolleyes:

Thanks for all the information, I appreciate y'all taking the time. One thing I do want to mention, is that the yellow does not look like a rattle can job. I worked in a body shop for several years of college, and it is well done. If it was someone with a can, they did a great job!

The BB shell has Gitane (france). Sorry for the terrible phone pic.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460781

Not all French team replica frames had number tabs - Gitane, Peugeot & Motobecane for example. Even some "real" Team frames didn't have them....

1983 Gitane Team Pros with tabs:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460784 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460797

1984 Gitane Team Pros without tabs:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460798 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460802

1984 Gitane Team Pros with tabs:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460800 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460801

Another possibility, someone could have cut the tab off. My 1990 Raleigh USA Team Technium was used by a sponsored team. The previous owner removed the tab so that he could mount his pump under the top tube.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460783


verktyg :50:

Chas.

Cutting a number tab off an 80's race bike is something that equates to cyclo castration!..... A gelding race bike it would be!!:eek:

As bad as "drewing" that hipsters do when they destroy a nice frame to make a throw away fixie... maybe worse! :mad:

verktyg :50:

Chas.