I got a free bike off FB and restored it
03-28-22, 06:03 PM
#1
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I got a free bike off FB and restored it
I saw an ad for a free 10 speed bike, I could tell it was lugged but that was about it so I claimed it. When we went to pick it up it turned out to be a 1970 Gitane Tour de France in Reynolds 531, that was my husbands size, and it had been very well ridden. The husband came out and told us all about it, how his first Gitane got stolen 6 months after he bought it so he replaced it with the exact same model and color because he liked it so much. He rode this bike a LOT. The original rear derailleur cracked so he replaced it with a Campy one. (so did the front so we threw on what we had lying around) This bike came with campy hubs which some did. My husband re-laced the wheels and painted the frame. There was some kind of grey overspray on everything and it would not come off the paint, plus Gitanes have terrible paint jobs and it was warranted. He will be putting a triple on this so it can be ridden in our mountainous area but we wanted to show the original owner what it looked like all cleaned up. He was so happy the bike was going to someone who would appreciate it and more importantly, ride the crap out of it!
The day we brought it home
Overspray everywhere!
There's chrome under that paint!
Gitane didn't clear over their decals!
I thought it had pin stripping, nope just dirt
Ready to ride
Cleaned up ok
We like the full chrome fork better
Gitanes are known for terrible finish work, this one did not disappoint
The day we brought it home
Overspray everywhere!
There's chrome under that paint!
Gitane didn't clear over their decals!
I thought it had pin stripping, nope just dirt
Ready to ride
Cleaned up ok
We like the full chrome fork better
Gitanes are known for terrible finish work, this one did not disappoint
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03-28-22, 06:10 PM
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Great job!
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03-28-22, 06:17 PM
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Very nice! I hope you keep the Stronglight crankset- if you need a triple get one of the Red Clover triplizers!
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03-28-22, 06:20 PM
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I am surprised the chrome under the paint was that good.
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03-28-22, 07:59 PM
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You will love the ride quality. I am a fan of French bikes, and Italian bikes, and Canadian bikes, and one German bike.
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03-28-22, 07:59 PM
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03-28-22, 08:07 PM
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Nice work. But these last two statement were the best part of the post. That probably meant more to the previous owner than money.
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03-28-22, 08:46 PM
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That's the same as the one I bought in early covid. I got it home and found a cracked headlug... bummer.
03-28-22, 09:57 PM
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Nice job; looks great!
I'm not surprised the plastic saddle didn't make the cut.
I'm not surprised the plastic saddle didn't make the cut.
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03-29-22, 09:26 AM
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That was the case with my Bianchi, as well, when a neighbor gave it to me, because he knew it would be ridden and cared for.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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03-29-22, 09:43 AM
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Very nice restoration!
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03-29-22, 09:58 AM
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03-29-22, 10:12 AM
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03-29-22, 11:46 AM
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Those US-spec TdF's are nice. Here in Europe we only got the "trois tubes" version, with no chromed rear end. 
Even those are very, very nice, though.
This is my TdF on a tour in southern France a few years ago:
Even those are very, very nice, though.
This is my TdF on a tour in southern France a few years ago:
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03-29-22, 02:39 PM
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03-29-22, 07:41 PM
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Very nice job on that Gitane machine!
Last edited by 3speedslow; 03-29-22 at 07:42 PM. Reason: Loathe auto correct!
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03-30-22, 05:39 AM
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Wonderful work and great to see it's back on the road.
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03-30-22, 06:42 AM
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I had a similar TDF apart recently. If you can (else get a shop to check) take the bb out, cups and all, and check for this flaw:
That's rust from water that has collected and puddled right behind the flash left after sizing the chainstay sockets. I was lucky, this bike came from a dry climate, it wasn't much more than staining.
Here's the fix (before a dab of rust-paint) - 5 minutes with a Dremel and a cylindrical grindstone:
And if your bb shell lacks one, drill a drain hole.
That's rust from water that has collected and puddled right behind the flash left after sizing the chainstay sockets. I was lucky, this bike came from a dry climate, it wasn't much more than staining.
Here's the fix (before a dab of rust-paint) - 5 minutes with a Dremel and a cylindrical grindstone:
And if your bb shell lacks one, drill a drain hole.
03-30-22, 11:56 AM
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Well done! I love that "Custom Made" sticker.
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03-30-22, 07:49 PM
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I had a similar TDF apart recently. If you can (else get a shop to check) take the bb out, cups and all, and check for this flaw:
That's rust from water that has collected and puddled right behind the flash left after sizing the chainstay sockets. I was lucky, this bike came from a dry climate, it wasn't much more than staining.
Here's the fix (before a dab of rust-paint) - 5 minutes with a Dremel and a cylindrical grindstone:
And if your bb shell lacks one, drill a drain hole.
That's rust from water that has collected and puddled right behind the flash left after sizing the chainstay sockets. I was lucky, this bike came from a dry climate, it wasn't much more than staining.
Here's the fix (before a dab of rust-paint) - 5 minutes with a Dremel and a cylindrical grindstone:
And if your bb shell lacks one, drill a drain hole.
03-31-22, 07:06 PM
#23
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You are a good wife! Mine always lets me know when she sees bike and audio gear. I always appreciate her
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03-31-22, 10:23 PM
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Nice find.
Great job!
Beautiful bike.
Great job!
Beautiful bike.
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