Belgian Babe Throws Herself at You...What Do You Do?
05-08-08, 05:10 PM
#1
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Belgian Babe Throws Herself at You...What Do You Do?
Finished a gig last night at a hotel and saw this bike sitting "next to" but not chained to the bike rack. No wheels, very dirty, lots of grime so I step in for a closer look. I'm not familiar with european bikes, let alone belgian ones. I could'nt leave it there so I took it home after speaking with security guard for an OK. Judging by the grime, it's been there a while he said.
Bike: 10-sp Belgique Cross Rapidix
Frame: steel lugged
Handlebars: ? possibly alum.
Saddle: Messinger
Front Derailleur: Simplex
Rear Derailleur: Simplex
Brakes: Diacompe
Brake Levers: Diacompe
Fork: not chromed (chemical or oxidation...?)
So now I just need to find a pair of wheels to fit and other accessories. But I'm looking for inspiration...thanks gang!
KEN
Bike: 10-sp Belgique Cross Rapidix
Frame: steel lugged
Handlebars: ? possibly alum.
Saddle: Messinger
Front Derailleur: Simplex
Rear Derailleur: Simplex
Brakes: Diacompe
Brake Levers: Diacompe
Fork: not chromed (chemical or oxidation...?)
So now I just need to find a pair of wheels to fit and other accessories. But I'm looking for inspiration...thanks gang!
KEN
05-08-08, 05:27 PM
#3
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worth what you paid for it 
looks like a gaspipe special from the bike boom era, may have been made by a big operation like Libertas or Flandria, but it's down low on the food chain. If it doesn't have a French BB, clean it up an make a single speed with a cheap cotterless crank replacement.
looks like a gaspipe special from the bike boom era, may have been made by a big operation like Libertas or Flandria, but it's down low on the food chain. If it doesn't have a French BB, clean it up an make a single speed with a cheap cotterless crank replacement.
05-08-08, 08:55 PM
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Or, take the time to clean it up completely and rebuild it back to original. It's one of those nice bikes to take to a Cirque weekend when Confente Masi's are a dime a dozen, and you're out there riding something original.
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“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
05-08-08, 09:17 PM
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What kind of brakes are those?
That looks a lot like a Libertas that I got from the dump recently. not a great bike but really nice lugs.
That looks a lot like a Libertas that I got from the dump recently. not a great bike but really nice lugs.
05-09-08, 07:34 AM
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UNWORTHY,
First much thanks for the advice - I'll check that BB once I get into this project. I'm not a SS kind of guy so probably wouldn't go that route, but also not a purist. I just wanted to do my research and due diligence before I plow into it. THanks sir!
First much thanks for the advice - I'll check that BB once I get into this project. I'm not a SS kind of guy so probably wouldn't go that route, but also not a purist. I just wanted to do my research and due diligence before I plow into it. THanks sir!
worth what you paid for it
looks like a gaspipe special from the bike boom era, may have been made by a big operation like Libertas or Flandria, but it's down low on the food chain. If it doesn't have a French BB, clean it up an make a single speed with a cheap cotterless crank replacement.
looks like a gaspipe special from the bike boom era, may have been made by a big operation like Libertas or Flandria, but it's down low on the food chain. If it doesn't have a French BB, clean it up an make a single speed with a cheap cotterless crank replacement.
05-09-08, 09:07 PM
#7
Bicyclerider4life
Looks like she going to need a set of 27 inch rims n tires, rear drop outs look like stamped steel, so most likely is from 70's gas shortage bike boom eara.
01-20-09, 05:00 PM
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I just finished re-doing the cable housings and tires on my dad's rapidix that looks just like yours except purple. Rides nicely, except my dads had altenberger brakes on it. Are you sure yours are dia compe?
01-20-09, 06:16 PM
#9
aka: Mike J.
Brakes look like they've got the adjustment reach for the pads, I'd wager a set of 700c wheels would work on it.
Have you measured the rear spacing? I'll guess it's 126.
Interesting releases on the brake levers.
I vote for a basic overhaul/rebuild basically close to stock, or bestguesstimatethereabouts.
Have you measured the rear spacing? I'll guess it's 126.
Interesting releases on the brake levers.
I vote for a basic overhaul/rebuild basically close to stock, or bestguesstimatethereabouts.
01-20-09, 08:24 PM
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IMHO...don't too spend much $ on this one. Fun hobby project, and a bike to ride as the final product. That plastic French Simplex rear derailleur can be replaced with a Sun Tour, Huret, Shimano...anything else but! Don't know what type of Messinger seat you have on it, but it can be replaced without shedding tears. You can always clean up and hold onto the parts you don't put back on it. This bike would have come with steel 27" x 1 1/4" rims (Rigidas with the patterned sides maybe?). Alloy rims will give you better braking.
01-20-09, 10:10 PM
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But the plastic has seen too much sun and its days are very, very numbered. Breaking a rear derailleur can be dangerous, btw. As scars on my face attest. Retire it to the curio cabinet and get a nice metal simplex, or at least a NOS plastic one on eBay.
01-20-09, 10:45 PM
#13
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A Belgian Babe Throws Herself at You.......Gnaw your arm off in the morning and make a promise to yourself to not to drink so much.
01-21-09, 09:46 AM
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Too much rust on that old simplex for it to work good anyway...
01-21-09, 10:43 AM
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Is that the Energizer Bunny I see attached to the rear wheel in pic #4??? Is it possible you could end up as a suspect in a murder investigation? "Bunny Run Down by Belgian Bike Boom Bike?"
01-26-09, 05:22 AM
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Good for an early morning laugh, SKIDOO. I ended up donating it to a community bike shop nearby.
01-26-09, 11:24 AM
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Belgian Babe Throws Herself at You...What Do You Do?
Take her to an ophthalmologist. And lock-up the liquor.
Take her to an ophthalmologist. And lock-up the liquor.
01-26-09, 01:06 PM
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General rule of thumb I learnt is look at the rear dropouts - if they look pressed rather than forged, then usually cheap end bike. Also, look at the top of the forks. A solid metal crown, hopefully with sloping top is a good sign. A hollow, pressed steel cupcake is a bad sign.
01-26-09, 03:25 PM
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I dunno, I've seen many beautiful Belgian ladies. Certainly, there are many exceptions, but so long as they can pour a proper beer, that's all that matters.
01-26-09, 03:47 PM
#21
Si se Puede!!!....Ahuevo!
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+1 In fact; I would say the women here are more attractive compared to what I saw in Texas. I guess that old saying that "Everything is bigger in Texas" is the cruel truth. 
Don't mean to be rude. It was meant in jest.
Don't mean to be rude. It was meant in jest.
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Ese dicho que me han dicho que tú has dicho que yo he dicho, ese dicho no lo he dicho, porque si lo hubiera dicho, ese dicho estaría bien dicho por haberlo dicho yo.
Ese dicho que me han dicho que tú has dicho que yo he dicho, ese dicho no lo he dicho, porque si lo hubiera dicho, ese dicho estaría bien dicho por haberlo dicho yo.
Last edited by gr23932; 01-26-09 at 03:52 PM.
01-26-09, 04:02 PM
#22
Prefers Cicero
Stolen and abandoned. Make an effort to reunite with owner.
02-02-09, 09:30 AM
#24
Prefers Cicero
The reason I say this is because of the scenario described by the OP: The bike was unlocked, so it likely hadn't been there very long, and the security guard "judged" (ie. guessed) that it had been there a long time, since it was grimy. However lots of bikes are grimy.
So I would say before fully enjoying the bike, the OP should make an effort to see if it has been reported stolen.
So I would say before fully enjoying the bike, the OP should make an effort to see if it has been reported stolen.
02-02-09, 09:40 AM
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