Forged Simplex drop outs, chrome stays - any clues ? Guessing french based on the drop outs..

This is a joke, right ?

The chrome plating looks good compared to the frame. I have a Fuji frame that is the opposite were the chrome is peeling but the paint is good. I would also guess.

Can you find a serial number anywhere?

One good thing is that if it was a lower end bicycle from the bike boom era then it would not have a that forged Simplex rear dropout with the derailleur hanger. Do you have the fork?

Beausage!
Gitane Tour deFrance, pre-1973
Do you have a matching fork?
check non-drive side dropout for a serial number



Short point lugs

Bottom bracket shell

Diamond brake bridge reinforcements

Not a joke, n'est-ce pas?

no fork

Huh! Did not remember that Gitane made TdFs with BCM headlugs (with the reinforcing rings) but without the little "arch" for the rear CP brake...and BTW what make is that BB shell?

will check

The "fishmouth" connections to the rear dropout suggest a nicer Gitane as well, as best I recall.

Swagged and squashed seat stay finish, classic Gitane as a coat saving measure on TdF as well as Super Corsa.

Yep that's a good frame made of 531 DB, probably rides real nice. BTW if you're interested in fat tires, those usually fit 40+ mm, like Hetre or Baby Shoes on 650b wheels, and RAID brakes will reach. Makes a comfy all-road bike.

for rust removal, I'd probably use Evapo-Rust or one of the DIY equivalents — example:
though oxalic acid may be less expensive. Electrolysis can be great too if you have a DC power source like a car battery charger.

Evaporust is expensive to buy enough to cover a frame but you can use a lot less if you build a bike frame shaped "tub" with a little lumber and some plastic sheeting. I think there are threads here about that. Search on oxalic bath I think.

If you're too lazy to build the tub (as I am), a plastic tray for hanging wallpaper costs like $2 and works for all the tubes except the seat tube, which can be done with Evaporust gel that sticks where you put it.

I used a hamster tank filled with an OA solution:



Edit: No hamsters were harmed in the process of derustification.

Can also use a plastic childrens pool, or a bike box with a plastic liner. OA is pretty toxic so use gloves. Thereʻs probably a nice frame under that rust.

Some of those bridges got cut off when the owners went to sidepulls:

As I understand via Chas (RIP), the Campy NR sidepulls were added to the Gitane Super Corsas once in USA though my SC shows no sign of ever having the standard Mafac centerpull mounted, the paint on the hanger is unmarred. The frame-attached hangers were dropped from both the SCs and TdFs in like 1971. Your crusty with the swagged and crushed seat stay finish most likely never had a hanger.

Someone went for a swim...

Even if this frame was in good shape do you need it. Just another money pit. There are places in the world they would fix it as is because there is no other frame to be had.

The serial number on the left drop out is 5122, followed by 25 in smaller font. Not sure if its two different markings. On the inside of both dropouts 4K is stamped.

I wouldnt attempt a full restoration, just curious about it.

That is the format Gitane used on the TdF's. According to Hummer, 5th day of the week, 12 week of the year and 1972; that makes sense based on the features. These frames aren't rare...

Sure, but some people enjoy fixing up old bicycles. I think the time investment to de-rust and rattle-can paint this might be worth it to a hobbyist. Not a winning business model though, that's for sure.

More an excuse to get rid of a pile of parts in the junk bin, like that pretty but obsolete Simplex Criterium rear derailer that you couldn't bring yourself to throw out...

I’ll note that I’ve owned multiple Gitane TdFs, all 60cm, all in the omnium vert/club green color. In 60cm, the TdF makes an AMAZING fixed-gear!