It figures...
 

I was saving most of the parts to an older Gitane Super Course for a frame that fits me for years. Gave up two weeks ago, boxed them up, and sent them to one of our fine fellow C&V members, and this shows up at the Co-op today:

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...d/IMG_0599.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...d/IMG_0600.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...d/IMG_0601.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...d/IMG_0602.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...d/IMG_0603.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...d/IMG_0604.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...d/IMG_0605.jpg

It is an older one, a Tour de Fance rather than a Super Course. The wheels are Campy Tippo, drive train Huret, the cranks are much older Sugino (I am sure not original, should be Nervar??). The brake levers are Mafac, but the rear brake is Shimano Tourney and the front is...I cannot tell. Does not look to be Mafac. Any ideas?? The seat seesm to be a replacement. I have never seen a stem like this. Not original??

As you can see, the paint is not so hot. I think the bike has been under somebody's porch for about 30 years. Tires are still ok. Any suggestions on what to do with this??

Is it your size? If so, build it as a get-around bike, and ride it.

Looks like an Ambrosio stem and worth keeping - Infact - I would clean up the whole bike and keep it original. The saddle has to go though. Perhaps a French Ideale saddle would be nice.

The stem alone is worth close to 100. and the rear Huret might bring a few bucks...

Odd mix of parts: I'd say non-original!

+1 I saw a similiar stem go for $80-100 recently

I have an original late '60's Peugeot PX-8 (French model...basically a UE-8 with a different rack and pump peg) in marginally better condition which is my "commuter" bike. I never ride it because when it is nice, I ride one of the "nice" fleet, and when it is crappy, it is snowing. I see lots of room for fenders, etc, perhaps I will dump the Peugeot. I think the stem goes (probably e-bay it to fund the project...I traded a ball point pen for the bike), seat goes, brakes probably go if I can find better center pulls with super long reach, cranks may stay. I think I am going to stay with the Huret derailuers. They still work great.

I sticking with the tubular tires though. I have been riding them alot more this summer than I have for years, and I like the way the ride better than the hi-perfromace clinchers on some of my other bikes.

another great "project" opportunity! The Huret stuff as well as crank, brakes and stem are all replacements, but the stem is worth saving or selling (personally I don't trust an *alloy* adjustable stem) and that might finance the whole job.
I think the front is a Chinese copy of DiaCompe/Weinmann CP, and you can still find the long reach DiaCompe 750(?) thru QBP for cheap$. But doesn't look like you need *long* reach for the front, anyway. The bike gods are smiling on you.