So in another thread I think we have determined that my Gitane Super Corsa is not that and that in fact it is some strange French/English hybrid. I bought the bike for the components (in particular a NOS '73 crank I wanted for a Masi project), knowing it had some oddities. It appears to still be a fine frame with Campagnolo dropouts and what appears to be metric Reynolds tubing and good construction. It needs a French seat post, a French stem and handlebar, an English BB and an English headset. I have all those so I can build it up easily. The frame is decaled as a Gitane Super Corsa though and it almost certainly isn't. I still want to sell it on but I am thinking of removing the decals (they appear to be velocals vinyl) and building it and selling it as a nicely built bicycle with full disclosure of the strangeness of some of the frame bits. Does that sound reasonable? If I leave on the decals I am afraid it might be sold on later as an original.

It would be rad if you had a full decal set that looked just like the originals, but said "Notone" in the "Gitane" script.

That would rule. (It's also not my money, which also rules.)

--Shannon

I would not remove the decals as it looks good as is. If I recall, Chas said it was a Tour de France which also is full DB 531. Based on this, the TDF frameset is the equal to the SC. The only difference were the components, in most cases the brand of drop outs (DO), and the the fork steerer length. SC generally had campy DO, TDF generally Simplex but both forged and equal in quality. Your TDF Frame has rear Campy; I also have a TDF with rear campy DO as they used whatever they could get. Steer length longer for SC to accommodate Campy headset; shorter on TDF to accommodate SL P3. To sum it up, I would argue there is no misrepresentation if your TDF has been outifitted with sc decals; just tell new owner! I would not bother building it up, let the owner do so and if they are missing some metric compatible parts offer to include.

Decals are actually pretty horrible. Not a single one of them is aligned right and it has the wrong Reynolds sticker. Don't really know if they add or subtract value

Could be a TDF but a weird one given the Campy dropouts at both ends and the English BB shell.

I'll probably build it and sell it as it is an easy way for me to get rid of a lot of parts I don't need and I have a bike box I need to get rid of. I'll sell it for a great price given the decals and the frame peculiarities. If it doesn't sell no matter what then I will part it out again.

Absolutely don't intend to ride it. Plenty of bikes, not enough space. Already have multiple bikes in the house, another is not going to be possible. I am trying to purge and building it up and selling it will let me purge a lot of stuff in one transaction.

Selling it with disclosures is the best way in my mind. If sold as a frame and fork with disclosures it would be nice as well as built up bike I would still disclose the decal inconsistencies. It likely is still a good rider just with some mislabeled frame issues. A new owner might not even care. JMHO, Smiles, MH

Agree with the folks above. People buy these high end Gitanes for their wonderful ride quality, not for their pedigree. If it's your size, I'd encourage giving it a try. If not, sell at is with appropriate disclosures. Chas was most likely correct...

Good luck, whatever you decide to do!

I bought a faked Pogliaghi. I posted it here and learned it was actually an MKM frame before I bought it.



Here is the thread.
Is this a real Pogliaghi???

The frameset went to T-Mar. That frame was much rougher than yours. I think yours still looks quite nice (decal placement not withstanding).
Most people will buy it as a cool bike. Disclose what it is. If the new buyer cares, he/she can make the effort to learn who made it.

Who knows, it may turn out to be a score for the new buyer!

Why agonize over it ? We're not talking $million. You got what you wanted off it, so flip it with disclosure. And walk away. You're not responsible for what anyone else does later. It's only a bicycle, not a holy relic.

I am not agonizing over this. Just thought it was an interesting issue to discuss. It creates issues when selling on eBay, which is my usual sales venue. Not so concerned if I sell it here but disclosure is everything for an eBay seller if you don't want to eventually get royally screwed by a buyer or eBay.

Since I am specifically trying to get rid of an excess of bicycle stuff and don't need anything more to ride my current plan is to build it, remove the super corsa decal (top tube, horribly crooked) but leave all the general Gitane decals and sell it with full disclosure.

Totally reasonable.

The frame build quality looks like an improvement over my '71 Supercorsa's.
That fork comes close to mine, but the lugs give away its true identity.
Funny for somebody to choose going the Gitane route. lol That paint and chrome look fantastic.
I recall your thread from a year or two ago, but not all the specifics. French threads?
Best to sell as a frameset. Definitely not with those special brake calipers, which would fetch more than the frame!

If anything, that makes it look more authentic. Nearly every single Gitane I've worked on has had something poorly aligned.

Tell me about it. From day one, I used my dropout screws to align the wheel. Maybe only a millimeter, but still...

​​​​​​You say that like it was a bad thing...

(My 81 Peugeot PKN-10 is missing its Simplex dropout screws, so I have to eyeball it.)

--Shannon

Eyeballing wheel alignment is what makes cycling an art! It is life!

For casual riding, the art of wheel-centerization can be appreciated and savored. But back in the day when a wheel change during a race could mean the difference between podium and podunk, having those screws was great in that you or the support wrench could just slam the wheel against the screws, close the cam, and off you went, with a much better chance of not being slowed by brake or frame rub.

+1
I have a Windsor Super Carrera decaled as a Profesional (no SC decals were available). If/when I do move it on, I'll disclose this fact and not worry about it. It's still a good bike.