As much as I love to make fun of the French for their workmanship, I've never met a Gitane that didn't put a huge smile on my face and wind in my hair.
I got the tires aired up and a few things adjusted and wowee. I can't wait to get this one reworked. I know it's not a Super Corsa and it does not have Simplex drops like my other 2 TdFs so I'm not really sure which model this is. Interesting that the Reynolds 531 decal is in French.
I'm happy, I don't come across many Gitane bikes any more.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?...U1MNTdYTGhrOUU

No photos I like Gitanes too.

Oh no,
When you click on the link don't they show up?

Link working for me.

.
...works for me, too. I have a TDF that has some non standard dropouts on the rear. I think they used what they had on hand sometimes.

On my phone it didn't work, but desktop works. That group is nothing to sneeze at, even if it isn't French.

Sweet bike. I like old French bikes.

Beauty. I concur about the brand. Gitanes to me are like the Bianchi of France, great geometry top to bottom. I like your Gitane "as found".

Looks like it's gonna be a good time!

[MENTION=391445]malcala622[/MENTION]

From the decals I'd say that it's a 1980-1981 Gitane Sprint n° 3920. It was a mid range model between an Interclub and a TdF.

The dropouts are Huret that are compatible with the de facto Campy style standard so most derailleurs made after the mid 70's should fit.

The link to the 1980 catalog picture on the GitaneUSA.com website is broken but here's the specs:

https://www.gitaneusa.com/images/cata...80_Page_12.jpg

Someone replaced the original Huret derailleurs with Suntour but keeping the Huret shift levers. The original brakes were probably Weinmann side pulls that were replaced with Modolo brakes. The wheels have been replaced too.

The French Reynolds 531 sticker says "CONSTRUIT AVEC 3 TUBES RENFORCES" meaning the 3 main tubes are butted 531 while the forks and rear stays are made of standard Gitane tubing.



The LONG stem is a replacement too and it's DANGEROUSLY HIGH. The stem should be inserted at least 75mm-80mm (3") into the steerer.

Should be a nice riding bike... Enjoy


verktyg

Chas.

Thanks so much all of you guys and I agree with everything you said, especially the crazy stem height! First thing I did was broke that loose and lowered Waaaay down!
Yeah, I forgot to mention the Modolo's- I've always been a sucker for their drilled levers, big time.
The other item I really love is how smooth the Avocet pedals are. Great bearings on these!

I have to agree about Gitane. The secret heart of my 2015 Ersatz Gran Prix is a '75 Gitane Gypsy Sport. I built that bike to be a beater-trash it-never wash it-throw it in the bushes bike. Basic 1030 frame but nicely done, thin seat stays, fully chromed fork. The trouble was I quickly realized that I really liked that bike (still do) and could not trash it. Its now in regular rotation and I built another beater.

I frankly could not abide the Gitane mylar stickers and bad paint though so this frame was stripped and re-painted. Good strong frame and a nice ride.

Yes, there should be a line marked "Max Height" or something like "Hauteur maximum" that you should never go above.

Nice looking ride. I've got a '84 Sprint and love riding it. I'm a sucker for the nicer French bikes but tend to gravitate toward Gitane also.

I’ve owned several French bikes and loved ‘em all: 2 Gitane TdFs, 2 Jeunet 630s, and a Jeunet 620(?). Even the gaspipe Jeunet 620 had wonderful ride and handling.As a bike shop mechanic I got to ride a lot of different bikes and the ones that impressed me the most were Peugeot UO8s.

Say what you want about the finish work, the French knew how to build a good-riding bike. They had the right idea – a bike is a tool.Who cares what it looks like?Just make it work as well as possible.
SP
OC, OR