Grum

Hello, I'm new here and would like any ID info on a Locomotief Tour de France frame I've had for years. I've been riding the bike as is and I'm ready to restore it to near original. I've done some research myself and found a few things. The year is mid to low 60"s. It has Reynolds 531 frame and forks (stickers are just bits left). One identifying element is that the seat stay is coned to a point at the upper end. The decals that are left are simple and are not the checkered decals on the seat down post. The paint was a midtone metallic blue. The frame is presently stripped and ready to paint. I would like to know what Reynolds 531 stickers I should get, possible year, and decals. Sorry, but at this time I am unable to post pics until I submit at least 10 posts. Any other info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

non-fixie 

Welcome, Grum !

From your description I gather you already know quite a bit about Locomotief bicycles, and that yours is a Tour de France. A serial number might help dating it. A timeline for Reynolds decals can be found on Classic Lightweights: https://www.classiclightweights.co.u...ynolds-tubing/

Grum

Thanks non-fixie,
I believe I've found the correct Reynolds decals for the forks and down tube! That's great!

non-fixie 

Excellent! Looking forward to seeing pictures of your bike. We need more pictures of Locomotiefs here.

Even if you're not yet allowed to post pictures (an anti-spam measure, sorry), you can upload them to your gallery, so other members can post them here.

Grum

Thanks, I'll check out that gallery when I get pics and let you know. I've been wanting to do this for years and it's been tough to find info, but I think it's getting close.

juvela

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the forum has had discussion threads on other Locomotief machines

if you wish you could use the forum search function to bring them up

look forward to the images of your TdF


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merziac

https://www.google.com/search?q=loco...nt=firefox-b-1

Grum

Thanks Merziac, lots of info to go through. I believe one of those posts are mine from years ago. Completely forgot I submitted the post.

Grum

Thanks everyone. I've found much more info. I now know my frame paint color, Locomotief decals, Reynolds stickers for the frame and forks, some of the decorative mechanical parts, and the year....frame was made April 22, 1959. Now the fun. I'll post pics soon.

fabiofarelli

Great! But you know the frame paint color? How did you manage that?

Grum

There are remnants of the original color inside the fork tube, headset, and seat post. I believe it is the original due to over a heavy coat of original primer. The frame was repainted black at some time over this paint but didn't reach into the tubes. This is my best guess. It seems to be a midtone blue with a bit of teal green. I've only found two pics of this frame. One is red and the other brown. Other frames I've found (same time period) with different seat stays are a light green, dark green, and red. For what type of paint or paint name and number, I'll most likely never know. Pics are tough to find on this frame, still looking, but leaning towards that color. It is nice.

fabiofarelli

Okay, I was afraid you thought you had a RAL-color (or how they call it where you live) in mind. In those days that sort of standards did not exist.
Is the color familiar with this one?

fabiofarelli

Grum

Yes, that could be it. The seat stays on my frame are coned and to a point on the upper end. This seems to be one of the ID variations I look for. But that's a good color indication! Great, thanks!

fabiofarelli

These frames are not the same, check the cable routing.
Check this link, maybe it helps, https://www.catawiki.com/nl/l/281883...racefiets-1960.

Grum

Wow, that's a great link, showing some components too. Thanks fabiofarelli. Your last pic is the best. It has the coned seat stays. My frame has no braze-ons for the shifters, nor the chrome accents. Fairly simple. But that is the color for sure, now I know!

fabiofarelli

The bike on the last picture belongs to a friend of mine. I can ask if he has some more, detailed pictures of it, if you want.

Grum

That would be great fabiofarelli! Anything on an original would be appreciated. Pics of components, bottom bracket, and headset would be great. Whether original or not, would like to see what your friend has. Before I start the build, any info is important to the frame. Therefore, I can make my decisions the best I can and what I can afford.