Well Louison now has a very 70's looking Chrome replacement fork, not a perfect solution, but it's workable. In fact now I'm only waiting to pick up some white cable housing to finish up the bike.

Does anyone know when Mafac switched to the plain "Racer" on a sticker from the engraved "Mafac Racer"?

I don't know the exact date, but I think it was in the early 80's give or take a couple of years.

Karl

RNW,

I have white brake cable on hand.

Just sayin'

OFG, Got about '20 today at work for zip. It's even vintage.

Found out some interesting things I didn't know, or might have forgotten, the Calipers are not Mafac "Racers" but are instead C.L.B. "Racers". So I'll we substituting a nice pair of CLB levers for the Mafac's with their decayed half hoods.
https://www.classicrendezvous.com/France/CLB_main.htm

Edit: The CLB's won't fit the bars, even on a French bike built with French parts, frustration is ever lurking.

I made more concessions than I really wanted to, with the dia-compe hoods and the replacement fork.

Housing is NOS from the back room of the bikeshop, it's not even lined, bar tape is ancient Tressoplast cotton. Not enough seat time to tell how it's going to ride, but if I can't find a CLB straddle wire I won't be riding it much. One pair of 45 year old CLB pads does not make for great stopping power.

real nice, wes! If you want to pursue re-shaping the new fork or repairing the old, I'm darn sure Ron Boi (RRB Cycles in Kenilworth, Illinois) can repair it, or build you a new fork. See if you like the ride, then you'll know if it's worth it.

I also have experience having him re-shape a fork. Combined with a frame alignment, it was $100, and excellent craftsmanship.

Wes, this bike looks great! Even that chrome fork looks good on there, IMHO. Admittedly the curve is not as cool as a French one, but the bike presents well. I think the CLB racers take a straddle wire much like the MAFAC Competition. PM Dirtdrop because he solders up his own and I'm sure he can tell you how. I think he buys a particular brass hobby tubing and solders it around standard galvanized brake cable. I'm sure he can tell you the exact details.

Also, these are expensive, but they have them: https://cafedevelo.com/index.php?act=...&productId=157

Cheers,
Karl

Actually, I think I'm wrong. I think they take the MAFAC Racer style. Cafe de Velo also has the MAFAC straddle wire clamps:

https://cafedevelo.com/index.php?act=...&productId=377

Karl

Try swapping the clamps with the MAFACs. They should be interchangeable I believe.

Karl

Thanks for the comments gents.

I'll try purloining one from a Mafac racer, I have a couple of those, just didn't connect that they would work.

Edit: tried swapping the clamps, no go without drilling the lever body.

RNW, I found the straddle wire that was missing, I know it's here someplace! There's only 6-8 totes to look through.

Fine job on the clean up, it looks great.

I think you will impressed with the new LB Matt & I picked upfor yo. It will need less wrk than the raleigh Gran Sport!

CU Soon!

Wes, did you try changing the brake levers by just using the clamps from the Dia Compes on the CLBs? Some combination of the hardware may work.

Karl

And, it has the CLB racers and levers already installed! (hoods are toast of course) It is hanging in the garage awaiting your arrival. It is banished to the garage since I can't let the French riff raff into the basement shop!!! And, you really did get a drawer in one of the filing cabinets for your stuff that is saved for you. Plus, I might add a few other items that might temp you?

Tried multiple combinations, No luck, Mafac, Dia-Compe and Weinmann clamps were tried on the CLB levers.


Lol, I know I have some stuff set aside, I even forgot what most of it is! Can't wait to make the trip, a couple days of beer and bicycles is just what I need.

I will do a search today, I'm sure the wire is here somewhere!

Is this what you are looking for?

Thats the one, yes!

Didn't find any fender hardware did you??

Didn't know I was supposed to look!

I have all sorts of old fender mounting junk. I'm sure we can find something suitable. What are you looking for?

Do you want me to drop the cable in the mail?

Looks the same as a Weinmann, those should be easy to fit.

Quick comment about bar setup: Typically, brake lever ends align with bottom edge of bar; lower portion of bar points to rear dropout. Of course, you can do it however you like!

Don't worry about mailing it, I'll be up sooner or later.

I got the fenders working, just was not sure If I had lost the stuff or if it never made it into the parts bags. I found some frenchie hardware at work and made them fit.

Sheesh, Matt, good move preventing a revolution in your own home! Never know what those feisty French bikes will do ...

Deeply appreciate all the help and advise gents, it's been an interesting project so far. I'm planning on toting it along with me to AA when I go up in a couple weeks.

I'm still fine tuning, I decided, to start out to leave everything in as close to the position that the components were in as I could. Position is, as Mrs OFG found it. But I will probably be repositioning everything soon.

Hey that was dbakl's comment, not me.

Karl

Karl,

Sorry about that! I edited it.

Redneckwes, I live in Ann Arbor, and I'd really like to see the LB's. When are you coming up here?

Road Fan