Hi, very fortunate to have these forums going, anyway- last week I purchased a Gitane Vuelta ( year I think to be 1987 although I'm not so sure?! ) It has pretty much full Shimano 600 arabesque components, apart from the headset. I am having a great trouble finding this bike in any Gitane catalogs, only one close is the 78 French Gitane catalog (the same decals of the frame lead me to suggest this year). If anyone can shed any light on this bike it would be greatly appreciated. I have been scouring many forums but with no real luck. I am aware that Gitanes were made different for each market, French, US, UK, Japan. I am unclear regarding this Gitane as components are Shimano 600 Arabesque ( think they did this for the Japanese market ?) however I believe the frame to be a French frame. If anyone has some information on this period of Gitane and the bike it would be great.

I am currently restoring the bike to its former glory. Not upgrading components etc, only will change brake cables and bearings I imagine.

Here are some pictures. Thank you very much-glad to be a member of this.

1977 would be closer to the mark, I think.

I meant 78 - switched the number by accident Thank you

If it is a Vuelta, my best guess would be a 1979 model year.

Bought a old gitane bike I know from early or mid 70's..... I know this because I already have a 1973 service course that looks almost new and the one I just bought has basically the same sticker set except it has an all chrome fork and gear shifters have black plastic trim on them ……. any ideas on what I have …. can load a picture if needed ……… thanks

There are gaps in the online Gitane catalogs between the late 70's and early 80's.

Between 1977 and 1983 not many Gitanes came into the US market. The Vuelta was a model made for the UK market and probably parts of the Continent including France.

Gitane used fork crowns with the cast in Gitane logos like this one and the one on your bike for several years in the late 70's.



Same thing with these square block decals.



Shimano introduced the 600 Arabesque components in 1978 so this nails your bike down to 1978-79.


Here's a Vuelta from the 1982 Gitane UK catalog, also the spec sheet.




Frames made of Super Vitus 971 tubing ride nice. SV 971 had the same wall thickness as Columbus SL tubing but with smoother riding French geometry.

BTW, Gitane didn't use Shimano components on very many models.

Enjoy your find.

verktyg

ok

Thanks for your reply …. I did some more investigating and I think it's a grand sport ( Has tiny grand sport stickers ) …. pictures point to a circa "73-'74 grand sport ….. but, there's one problem … this one has an all chrome fork like the veulta[ ….. also has wienman center pull brakes …. strange combination that doesn't match any model using those components

Like this?







Crystal ball isn't working very well today...

Post some pictures please... Here's a guide:


verktyg

Tried to post 5 pics …… after downing loading … message said I can't post url's until posting at least 10 times … ******************************??? gonna try " Gitane Bicycles " on Facebook