How to date a Bertin?
 

Hi All!!
New to this forum, so I thought I'd jump right in.
I recently purchased an old (?) road bike, cheap, and after researching it for the last 2 months, I've discovered it to be a Bertin. It's been re-painted, but there are markings all over the componants.
It has Durifort tubes, Bocama lugs, Gargette (RGF) bottom bracket shell and Campy dropouts. Campy GS everything else. 27" wheels.
The left rear dropout is marked "56" (I assume frame size) and "2358" that I am assuming is the SN#.
Any way to date this? I'm really enjoying riding it, especially compared to my Trek, and plan to give it a solid overhaul and paint job before too long. Any and all help appreciated!!

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/France/Bertin_main.htm

might be of some help.

That's where I figured out what the bike was, but there is very little other info. The bike had been stripped and Krylon'd at some point, but the tops of the seat stays have a 'gathered' treatment that appears to be unique to this make. I'm trying to decide how period or modern to make it, so that's why I'm trying to get a rough estimate of the build year.
The frame looks exactly like this one:
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/ima...tin_C37_60.jpg
minus the pump tabs...

The only Bertins I saw in Los Angeles were sold in the early 1970s. Their fit and finish were a cut above those of the Peugeots we were selling.

If the rear dropouts are spaced 120mm instead of 126 or 128, it is probably from the early to mid 1970s. Wider-spaced dropouts are not conclusive, because historically incorrect folks such as I have cold-set rear triangles to accommodate 7-speed freewheels.

Thanks! That's good info. I was beginning to suspect that same era. It has 120mm spacing and I was planning to widen it a bit for a 6 or 7 speed. I currently run a 6 speed hub, but have to work a bit to get it to fit. The bike is very nearly ready for the summer, I just need to order a new stem.

They were also sold here much earlier. I've got a Bertin frame that's probably from the early '60, and my guess is that it was originally sold in the LA area. Mine's Reynolds 531 butted, with Nervex Pro lugs and Nervex bottom bracket shell. This one has original brazed-on shifter bosses made from a cut up Campagnolo clamp-on shifter set, and has roller cable guides on top of the BB shell. I actually found this frame sticking out of a trash can in North Hollywood back in the mid '80s... Amazing what some folks throw away.

So what is your SN#? Any idea how many bikes Bertin built? After putting "new" 27" wheels and tires, seat post and hub on it, I'm only into it for maybe $300 and trying to decide how much more I want to spend.

Well, I've heard if your really nice, compliment them a lot and then offer to take them to an expensive restaurant, that you might get a date.

Sorry, i couldn't resist!

:d