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Elvish Lives!
I was doing a bit of online research on the brand, and came across a couple of things. One is a French article that finally explained where they fit in the world of C&V, and the other was the quote in the title, from a thread on this very forum...
Anyway you know I can't resist a bargain, so here are the pics. I'm hoping it will be of sufficient standing to accompany Mr & Mrs [MENTION=173992]non-fixie[/MENTION] in Anjou next year, with my OH driving. ;) https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f660665e47.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2a39327c31.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...edb2900a33.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6f754290ca.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5c400fa97a.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f1f1d970db.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4d00408255.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...380e4d30b0.jpg |
I'd likely go broke if I lived in France with all those old bikes needing new homes . . .
Nice bike. |
Originally Posted by bikemig
(Post 21174581)
I'd likely go broke if I lived in France with all those old bikes needing new homes . . .
Nice bike. |
Originally Posted by MiloFrance
(Post 21174587)
I have a number of bikes and a mostly annoyed bank manager...
Was the Elvish company based in Pau? I've been there and I certainly liked the Armagnac. |
Originally Posted by bikemig
(Post 21174593)
Bank manager or spouse? * :)
Was the Elvish company based in Pau? I've been there and I certainly liked the Armagnac. *I'll let you know how it goes... |
They have weber kettle grills in France?
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That's an oldy but a goody. The rear dropout looks like a post war Cyclo. I think I still have an Elvish wool jersey from the 1970s.
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Originally Posted by dedhed
(Post 21174605)
They have weber kettle grills in France?
edit: seen it, yes they do... :D |
Wonderful bike and info......thank you, thank you very much!
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https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fb936ecf6c.jpg
A little rub with polishing compound reveals a rather fabulous metallic bronze... |
Nice! Just a little spit and polish and it's good to go. ;)
It does seem to be missing a few gear-related items. Are you planning to bring it back to its former three or four-speed glory? Also, bar and stem assembly looks to be somewhat newer than the rest? Anyway, love the bike, and am looking forward to seeing it in action on the Loire banks next year! |
Wonderful details on that one; thanks for sharing! Is that a mounting bracet for and old Cycle RD on the chain stay? No need to limit yourself a single speed then, eh?
Since the holes are there for it, are going to lace up a skirt guard on the bike as you bring it back to life? |
oh....and, i thought it was gonna be a joke about elvish preshley :foo:
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Originally Posted by Lascauxcaveman
(Post 21175903)
Wonderful details on that one; thanks for sharing! Is that a mounting bracet for and old Cycle RD on the chain stay? No need to limit yourself a single speed then, eh?
Since the holes are there for it, are going to lace up a skirt guard on the bike as you bring it back to life? |
What a nice bike. Must have been expensive back in it's day. A lot of premium features you don't usually see on roadsters. I would restore the skirt guard. It fits with the all decked out look look of this bike. Great find.
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This is going to take some elbow grease...
Any recommendations on dismantling the mudguards without ruining the wiring for the dynamo? The wires run inside the channel on the inside lip of the guards, front & rear. I don't want to wreck this like my last attempt... https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d61357f697.jpg |
Nice find! Just picked up an Elvish myself today (near Pau!) - 70s, Orange racer, mostly original. Will post some pics when I've got my first 10 posts done. Following to see how your progress goes!
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Excellent! look forward to seeing the pics!
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Congratulations on this wonderful find and thanks for sharing it with the forum. Shall look forward to following along as you work with it. ;) --- Frame - constructed with BOCAMA lug pattern 81/I BOCAMA seat lug Nr. T BOCAMA bottom bracket shell "Trident" laterals bridge BOCAMA "Plain" NERVEX dropouts Ref. 1036 G & 1036 D dynamo boss NERVEX 898AR pump peg NERVEX Ref. 845 --- Elvish sponsored local racer and Pau native Victor Fontan for their team of the early 1930's. They continued to produce bicycles with the Fontan name until quite late in the life of the firm. You might like to see this berceau which appears to hail from near to 1950. It is marked with both the Fontan and Elvish names - https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6b55d28ebd.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d540a90125.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dbd6af7fb5.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ac3c1c5562.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4734c302af.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d76beb7d06.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2cfd332839.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...decb377f84.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d8ed1a24a9.jpg ----- |
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Here are two images of Victor Fontan from the early 1930's riding for the Elvish team. He was a silver medalist in the Los Angeles Olympic Games of 1932 (team pursuit). https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d9375100e1.png https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6198e4cf9d.jpg --- Here are some Elvish marked fittings found on an Elvish machine dated by its owner as ca. 1940. Its rear brake caliper is marked Fontan. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...13df3da332.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...326511f2f0.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...05db55f79e.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...43b68a9ceb.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2201565725.jpg --- |
1 Attachment(s)
For those of you who missed the unusual quads on Victor.
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Excellent info, than you [MENTION=333224]juvela[/MENTION] . I've ordered 2mm banana connectors, the VO cables have arrived and I reckon another 2 months of cleaning should get it almost spotless. I'm sure its never been cleaned. The dynamo produces a voltage when spun which is excellent, and the yellow headlight bulb is stored in cotton wool... ;)
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Originally Posted by clubman
(Post 21201624)
For those of you who missed the unusual quads on Victor.
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Originally Posted by MiloFrance
(Post 21202365)
From Wiki: "He raced from 1910, became a professional in 1913, then fought in the first world war. He was shot twice in one leg". No snowflakes in that generation...
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