Heylett restauration
09-19-17 | 04:11 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
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Heylett restauration
Hi,
I'm an absolute newcomer when it comes to bikes, but while cleaning out an old farm we found some old bikes that I'm willing to restore. Started with a Heylett by random pick, and all I know is that the seat is not original.
The plan is to dismantle it and restore every part in optimal state, except for the frame whose paint I won't touch. Out of interest I started looking for information on the bike, but haven't really found a lot. Most results are the same text or forum topics leading to that text. (Some of you probably know exactly which one...)
Almost every picture or topic is on their racing bicycles, while we have a city-bike with the carrier on the back.
Just knowing from what year it is would already be some nice information. Some parts might have to be replaced, and finding original ones would be a nice bonus.
Found this to be a nice forum, so going to share the experience and hopefully take in tons of yours, if you don't mind.
UPDATE: Pictures
I'm an absolute newcomer when it comes to bikes, but while cleaning out an old farm we found some old bikes that I'm willing to restore. Started with a Heylett by random pick, and all I know is that the seat is not original.
The plan is to dismantle it and restore every part in optimal state, except for the frame whose paint I won't touch. Out of interest I started looking for information on the bike, but haven't really found a lot. Most results are the same text or forum topics leading to that text. (Some of you probably know exactly which one...)
Almost every picture or topic is on their racing bicycles, while we have a city-bike with the carrier on the back.
Just knowing from what year it is would already be some nice information. Some parts might have to be replaced, and finding original ones would be a nice bonus.
Found this to be a nice forum, so going to share the experience and hopefully take in tons of yours, if you don't mind.
UPDATE: Pictures
Last edited by DaTonio; 09-22-17 at 03:36 AM. Reason: Pictures added.
09-20-17 | 06:16 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,089
Likes: 350
Need pics.
1962 or earlier you have a Helyett. 1966 or after you have a Gitane. In between a Griffon and what exactly that meant??
Time to get familiar with ebay.fr and perhaps some of the vendors there. One of the nice things about French bikes is there are huge commonalities between good bikes and cheap bikes. And parts were made to standards that persisted for long periods of time.
If you are happy and impressed by the original paint that is a good sign of an old one. The old striping and decals were wondrous.
1962 or earlier you have a Helyett. 1966 or after you have a Gitane. In between a Griffon and what exactly that meant??
Time to get familiar with ebay.fr and perhaps some of the vendors there. One of the nice things about French bikes is there are huge commonalities between good bikes and cheap bikes. And parts were made to standards that persisted for long periods of time.
If you are happy and impressed by the original paint that is a good sign of an old one. The old striping and decals were wondrous.
09-20-17 | 02:09 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 98
From: Liberty, Missouri
Bikes: 1966 Paramount | 1971 Raleigh International | ca. 1970 Bernard Carre | 1989 Waterford Paramount | 2012 Boulder Brevet | 2019 Specialized Diverge
Can't wait to see photos! What part of the world are you in?
09-20-17 | 02:18 PM
#4
Cyclotouriste
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11,785
Likes: 6,997
From: South Holland, NL
Bikes: Yes, please.
Nice bikes, Helyett. Subscribing. And while we're waiting for the pics: here's someone on a Helyett:
09-20-17 | 02:24 PM
#5
Cyclotouriste
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11,785
Likes: 6,997
From: South Holland, NL
Bikes: Yes, please.
Oh, and welcome, [MENTION=470535]DaTonio[/MENTION]!
09-21-17 | 01:08 AM
#6
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Need pics.
1962 or earlier you have a Helyett. 1966 or after you have a Gitane. In between a Griffon and what exactly that meant??
Time to get familiar with ebay.fr and perhaps some of the vendors there. One of the nice things about French bikes is there are huge commonalities between good bikes and cheap bikes. And parts were made to standards that persisted for long periods of time.
If you are happy and impressed by the original paint that is a good sign of an old one. The old striping and decals were wondrous.
1962 or earlier you have a Helyett. 1966 or after you have a Gitane. In between a Griffon and what exactly that meant??
Time to get familiar with ebay.fr and perhaps some of the vendors there. One of the nice things about French bikes is there are huge commonalities between good bikes and cheap bikes. And parts were made to standards that persisted for long periods of time.
If you are happy and impressed by the original paint that is a good sign of an old one. The old striping and decals were wondrous.
I wanted to look for original parts but therefor I hope to find out what model/year of production/ ... it is.
Btw, that 4 year gap in between Heylett and Gitane... Was there no production at that time?
09-22-17 | 03:02 AM
#8
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Joined: Sep 2017
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Thanks for the good read. Unfortunately it is one of the pages I stumbled upon before (and that got me attracted to this forum).
Upon checking more on the book mentioned in that topic... It has been released by now. Going to save up some money and try to buy it. Probably not allowed to copy the entire book to this forum, but sure willing to share the information.
Upon checking more on the book mentioned in that topic... It has been released by now. Going to save up some money and try to buy it. Probably not allowed to copy the entire book to this forum, but sure willing to share the information.
09-22-17 | 03:44 AM
#9
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 15
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Need pics.
1962 or earlier you have a Helyett. 1966 or after you have a Gitane. In between a Griffon and what exactly that meant??
Time to get familiar with ebay.fr and perhaps some of the vendors there. One of the nice things about French bikes is there are huge commonalities between good bikes and cheap bikes. And parts were made to standards that persisted for long periods of time.
If you are happy and impressed by the original paint that is a good sign of an old one. The old striping and decals were wondrous.
1962 or earlier you have a Helyett. 1966 or after you have a Gitane. In between a Griffon and what exactly that meant??
Time to get familiar with ebay.fr and perhaps some of the vendors there. One of the nice things about French bikes is there are huge commonalities between good bikes and cheap bikes. And parts were made to standards that persisted for long periods of time.
If you are happy and impressed by the original paint that is a good sign of an old one. The old striping and decals were wondrous.
Hopefully getting a job on monday, so I can start investing in the parts. In the meanwhile, it is cleaning up the good parts.
09-22-17 | 04:35 PM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 15,369
Likes: 4,391
From: Alta California
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The machine's Huret model 700 front mech launched 1966. Beginning 1974-75 its name was changed to Club and later to Club II. The contoured surround for the travel adjustment screws mark it as relatively late. If original, it could be a dating aid. The bicycle's model of Huret shift lever set did not launch until 1976-77. This pattern of BOCAMA lug paired with the ESGE chainstay bridge and the paint colour are consistent with a Gitane product.
Is the serial number marked on the outer face of the left dropout?
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The machine's Huret model 700 front mech launched 1966. Beginning 1974-75 its name was changed to Club and later to Club II. The contoured surround for the travel adjustment screws mark it as relatively late. If original, it could be a dating aid. The bicycle's model of Huret shift lever set did not launch until 1976-77. This pattern of BOCAMA lug paired with the ESGE chainstay bridge and the paint colour are consistent with a Gitane product.
Is the serial number marked on the outer face of the left dropout?
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Last edited by juvela; 09-23-17 at 11:50 AM. Reason: addition
09-24-17 | 02:17 AM
#12
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Thanks a lot and even more.
I don't see a serial number on the dropout, nor anywhere else on the bike.
The dropout is a Shimano Tourney and seems to have suffered the tooth of time less than most other parts. The bolt used to secure it to the frame makes me think it is not original
09-24-17 | 06:39 AM
#15
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Turns out the fabric I used to clean the metal with has some roughness that scratches off the outer layer. I used it to clean so many old tools and materials from the barn, so I didn't really think about it.
Chrome: -1
Experience: +1
Chrome: -1
Experience: +1
