what is this?
06-05-08 | 10:32 PM
#1
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Joined: Jun 2008
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what is this?
Hello everyone,
this is my first post. I love this forum! now, on to business...
I recently bought an old frame in not the best shape (someone tried to make it a mountain bike i think) but it has beautiful lug work and Im almost certain its 531. problem is, theres no head badge or any decals at all. only thing i have is the serial # on the BB: 71f048942. also, it was painted flat black, but i managed to scrape off some of the paint to reveal a nice green color. My friend thinks it may be an old Puch due to the green, but it had a lot of French comps on it (some of which MAY be original: mafac racer front brake, huret spacer in the rear dropouts, nervar cranks). Ive been scouring the web trying to find a picture of it, but nothing. I think its probably late 50s/early 60s, but again, not sure.
I know i need to post pics to really get some help, but my roomate is gone with her camera, and I dont got one. Ill post soon though.
Thanks for all
this is my first post. I love this forum! now, on to business...
I recently bought an old frame in not the best shape (someone tried to make it a mountain bike i think) but it has beautiful lug work and Im almost certain its 531. problem is, theres no head badge or any decals at all. only thing i have is the serial # on the BB: 71f048942. also, it was painted flat black, but i managed to scrape off some of the paint to reveal a nice green color. My friend thinks it may be an old Puch due to the green, but it had a lot of French comps on it (some of which MAY be original: mafac racer front brake, huret spacer in the rear dropouts, nervar cranks). Ive been scouring the web trying to find a picture of it, but nothing. I think its probably late 50s/early 60s, but again, not sure.
I know i need to post pics to really get some help, but my roomate is gone with her camera, and I dont got one. Ill post soon though.
Thanks for all
06-06-08 | 02:22 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,994
Likes: 302
From: Hervey Bay, Qld, Australia.
Bikes: Colnago (82, 85, 89, 90, 91, 96, 03), 85 Cinelli, 90 Rossin, 83 Alan, 82 Bianchi, 78 Fountain, 2 x Pinarello, Malvern Star (37), Hillman (70's), 80's Beretto Lo-Pro Track, 80's Kenevans Lo-Pro, Columbus Max (95), DeGrandi (80's) Track.
It does sound like it could be French.
Unfortunately I know nothing about French bikes but I would suggest searching for Peugeot's, etc, and see if you can find a frame that looks like yours.
Personally, a nice paint job and a clean up, replacement of worn parts, upgrade to better quality components would be my suggestion. I would also suggest to keep the French character of the bike.
Best of luck,
Gary.
Unfortunately I know nothing about French bikes but I would suggest searching for Peugeot's, etc, and see if you can find a frame that looks like yours.
Personally, a nice paint job and a clean up, replacement of worn parts, upgrade to better quality components would be my suggestion. I would also suggest to keep the French character of the bike.
Best of luck,
Gary.
06-06-08 | 06:10 AM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,212
Likes: 3,122
Based on the serial number, it would be tempting to assume it is from 1971. If we assume the bottom bracket is also Nervar, the threading can be determied via the markings on the cups. If there are two rings, it is Italian. One ring designates English, while no rings designate French threading. Or you can check the main tubes diameters, as it is old enough to use metric tubing if it is French, in which case diamteter of the seat and down tubes will be 28mm, while the top tube would be 26mm. Non-French frames typically used 28.6mm seat and down tubes with a 25.4mm top tube. To validate the tubing, we would need to know the inner diameter of the seat tube or the size of the post.
06-07-08 | 01:02 PM
#4
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Joined: Jun 2008
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06-07-08 | 09:47 PM
#5
Vintage French Bike Fan
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 628
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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Peugeot UO-8, Peugeot 80's 12 spd
The photos don't work for me (I'm assuming that's what the link is). It says something about Windows Live ID not working.
Sounds like a French bike from the components. T-Mar gave you all the info to find out for sure. Are the lugs like this:
I ask because those are the most common fancy lugs around: Nervex Professional. My personal favorite. They are also French but were used on many makes from many countries. There are of course many other lug possibilities and many builders customized the Nervex lugs, too. Just a guess.
Hopefully you can get the photos working.
Karl
Sounds like a French bike from the components. T-Mar gave you all the info to find out for sure. Are the lugs like this:
I ask because those are the most common fancy lugs around: Nervex Professional. My personal favorite. They are also French but were used on many makes from many countries. There are of course many other lug possibilities and many builders customized the Nervex lugs, too. Just a guess.
Hopefully you can get the photos working.
Karl
