Small Miracle
 

Here is my early 70s Gitane Junior Race bike, which came with top tube frame pump pegs.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...20d4bc3222.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6f8a7e7fbb.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cfef5d68ac.jpg

From the wear on the ends of these pump pegs, there was a frame pump that came with this bike, but of course now 40+ years later, while the entire bike is complete...the frame pump is long gone.

So, what are the chances of finding a frame pump.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dc0cb793c2.jpg

Let alone a French frame pump.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...22eb371de1.jpg

That fits, perfectly.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...415b9aa068.jpg

If anyone can shed any light on this pump, please do.

My thanks.

now you just need the correct size child

What a coincidence. I believe I saw a very similar Gitane Junior on my ride yesterday.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...l#post21144714

Squeee!

Do have right sized grand daughter, all four will visit next year and I have a two bikes ready as birthday presents for two of them. One will get her first adult sized Mixte and her younger sister will get this bike to in turn some day hand over to the youngest sister (have to find a balance bike/tri-cycle for her) when she graduates up to her own adult sized Mixte.

It will be a great day.

Anyone know about the "afa" French frame pump brand, its history?

smontanoro really enjoyed your ride and pictures and picture of another Gitane Junior.

Yours looks like it was in team colors/decals, wonder which team it was emulating?

Thanks for your post.

Copy from Zefal:

Set up in 1880, Les Etablissements AFA specialized in the design of toe-clips, toe-straps, bicycle bells and racks. Later called POUTRAIT, the company works closely with famous riders to develop products. In partnership with Mr Lapize and Mr Christophe, both French famous cyclists, POUTRAIT created, at the beginning of the twentieth century, products under two new brands: LAPIZE and CHRISTOPHE.

I had a Flandria that size which adorned my apartment in my single days and then took up space in the marital basement. Gave it to a buddy for his little nephew who never actually seemed to receive the bike. Hmmm...
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6b65d6561b.jpg

Thanks tengrainbread I'll add your post to my file on this bike.

Is that the opposite of what they call French fit? :)

Boy your buddies little nephew was a huge kid!

Hope they could keep the NFL scouts away.:lol:

I have an identical (if longer) AFA pump on my 1951 Raleigh, for lack of the original. Bought it at the LBS, new/NOS, but my guess to the era would be early 1990's.

-Kurt

Someone's grand daughter is going to be scorching the road on that French race machine. Allez! Allez!!

Cuda, I wondered as to the age given the plastic body 90s sounds about right to me.
Vintage metal bodied "Wobler" frame pumps do come up time to time, but finding a 30cm size is the trick.

With two older sisters I expect this bike to be flying in pursuit. :lol: