Show your French bikes!
#3551
Senior Member
Here is my French BIke! Its manufacturer is still a mystery but I loved going through this thread trying to nail something down. Of course just because it has a French Threaded BB doesn't always mean it's French. It looks so close to so many Peugeot, Motobecane, Gitane, Meral and similar bikes from that era.

#3552
Old Boy
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 2,390
Bikes: Mostly 1st-generation, top-of-the-line, non-unicrown MTBs/ATBs: All 1984 models: Dawes Ranger, Peugeot Canyon Express, Ross Mt. Whitney (chrome), Schwinn High Sierra, and a 1983 Trek 850.
Mentioned: 134 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 983 Post(s)
Liked 1,705 Times
in
610 Posts
Here is my French BIke! Its manufacturer is still a mystery but I loved going through this thread trying to nail something down. Of course just because it has a French Threaded BB doesn't always mean it's French. It looks so close to so many Peugeot, Motobecane, Gitane, Meral and similar bikes from that era.
*
*
*
__________________
Roulez pour la joie, jamais pour la douleur.
USMC 1981-1991 Semper Fi!
Roulez pour la joie, jamais pour la douleur.
USMC 1981-1991 Semper Fi!
#3553
Senior Member
Identifying an Unknown 80s French Frame
#3555
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Port Dover Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,515
Bikes: 1965 Dilecta Le Blanc, 1956 Royal Nord, 1972 Raleigh Sports, 1972 CCM Turismo,1976 SuperCycle Excalibur, 2014 Salsa Vaya, 2017 Felt DD70, 2019 Giant Lafree and others
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 340 Post(s)
Liked 456 Times
in
199 Posts
One of the parts bikes I acquired (for a charity donation) last fall. Paint and metal finishes are near perfect but someone has modified the DT shifters and knocked the braze-on off with the installation of Sun Tour stem shifters. Appears to be 73-74 by dated parts and possibly a euro-spec. Nice rack and mudguards. I don't think I can repair this saddle!











__________________
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
#3557
Full Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 325
Bikes: 2017 Sage Skyline, 2015 Co-Motion Periscope Tandem, 2012 Soma Smoothie, 2006 Kona Jake, 1986 Miyata Nine Twelve, 1977 Peugeot UO18c, 1977 Peugeot PRN10, 1974 Allegro Schweitzermeister Model 76, 1972 Hugo Rickert Spezial
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 441 Times
in
139 Posts
Possibly from before 72, though?
The more ornate Nervex lugs on the headset suggest the frame was made prior to the transition to the smoother Bocama type lugs that started in 1972. Of course, exact dating is next to impossible without specific info about when it came from the factory because older and newer parts and frames were always being integrated during builds.
#3558
Full Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 325
Bikes: 2017 Sage Skyline, 2015 Co-Motion Periscope Tandem, 2012 Soma Smoothie, 2006 Kona Jake, 1986 Miyata Nine Twelve, 1977 Peugeot UO18c, 1977 Peugeot PRN10, 1974 Allegro Schweitzermeister Model 76, 1972 Hugo Rickert Spezial
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 441 Times
in
139 Posts
Are there services out there that re-cover Ideale saddles?
#3560
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 8,356
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1476 Post(s)
Liked 2,072 Times
in
1,025 Posts
Yes, forum member @rhm does this
Likes For jim dandy:
#3562
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,248
Mentioned: 101 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1527 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 678 Times
in
448 Posts
The PH10 line from Peugeot was very good and "responded" well to getting modded up with nicer than standard components.
It was the first bike I ever modded up, back in the 80's when I was in college and remains one of the best rides I had, despite its humble standing in the Peugeot model line.
BTW, just make sure your stem is not pulled up too high and is within the insertion height limit line indicated on it.. You do not want it to damage your steering tube or pull out at the wrong moment, while riding.. You can replace it with a taller stem from makers like Nitto if you need it higher than usual for comfort.
__________________
72 Line Seeker
83 Davidson Signature
84 Peugeot PSV
84 Peugeot PY10FC
84 Gitane Tour de France.
85 Vitus Plus Carbone 7
86 ALAN Record Carbonio
86 Medici Aerodynamic (Project)
88 Pinarello Montello
89 Bottecchia Professional Chorus SL
95 Trek 5500 OCLV (Project)
72 Line Seeker
83 Davidson Signature
84 Peugeot PSV
84 Peugeot PY10FC
84 Gitane Tour de France.
85 Vitus Plus Carbone 7
86 ALAN Record Carbonio
86 Medici Aerodynamic (Project)
88 Pinarello Montello
89 Bottecchia Professional Chorus SL
95 Trek 5500 OCLV (Project)
#3563
Junior Member
Peugeot & mercier bikes
Great job! It looks brand new and complete.The PH10 line from Peugeot was very good and "responded" well to getting modded up with nicer than standard components.It was the first bike I ever modded up, back in the 80's when I was in college and remains one of the best rides I had, despite its humble standing in the Peugeot model line.BTW, just make sure your stem is not pulled up too high and is within the insertion height limit line indicated on it.. You do not want it to damage your steering tube or pull out at the wrong moment, while riding.. You can replace it with a taller stem from makers like Nitto if you need it higher than usual for comfort.
Last edited by Danny kee; 03-26-22 at 07:14 AM. Reason: Pictures cannot be seen
#3564
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,987
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 720 Post(s)
Liked 1,779 Times
in
1,029 Posts
Likes For Kabuki12:
#3565
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,987
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 720 Post(s)
Liked 1,779 Times
in
1,029 Posts

My $20 Motobecane
So I don’t really know why I bought it other than it was my size and I was curious. I built it up and now I have a French touring bike with Campy high lights.


Likes For Kabuki12:
#3566
Newbie

Still mostly french and mostly Peugeot: Pvn10 frame, Ventoux fork, Px50L mudguards and front rack.
Other contributing factors to her ”frenchness” would be Mafac brakes, Stronglight headset and Zefal pedal cages.
Likes For gesta:
#3567
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 19,169
Mentioned: 125 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3019 Post(s)
Liked 2,197 Times
in
1,582 Posts
Likes For repechage:
#3568
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,987
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 720 Post(s)
Liked 1,779 Times
in
1,029 Posts
Unfortunately that "set" was only the drive side. The other was a modern Shimano unit and both cranks were stripped on the place where the extractor threads in. I had to use a puller(OUCH!!) to remove the cranks. This poor bike had somehow ended up in the wrong hands. The cranks went in the bin , minus chain rings and bolts . I could probably improve the look by removing the guard but for now it is on there, still trying to make up my mind on that. I don't like not being able to change the large chain ring when the time comes. Fenders will , at some point, find their way on this bike as well.
#3569
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 19,169
Mentioned: 125 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3019 Post(s)
Liked 2,197 Times
in
1,582 Posts
need a pre CPSC front mechanism with the flat cage.
#3570
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,987
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 720 Post(s)
Liked 1,779 Times
in
1,029 Posts
I have one but for whatever reason chose the one with the holes in it. You are probably right it would’ve gone better with the 70’s vibe I was going for . The bike is from 1980 and I prefer the seventies graphics so I made those from two different sets , Grand Record and Nomade Sprint , to come up with a seventies Grand Sprint graphic. These weren’t made until 1979 I think and by then Motobecane had changed to later style.
#3571
If I own it, I ride it
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cardinal Country
Posts: 5,561
Bikes: Lejeune(14), Raleigh, Raysport, Jan De Reus, Gazelle, Masi, B. Carré(4), Springfield, Motobecane(2), Greg Lemond, Andre Bertin, Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 580 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 620 Times
in
295 Posts
Took a 20+ mile ride on this BaCo built 753 Lejeune. I have said in the past that Dutch bikes just seem to want to go. I think I have a French bike that thinks it is Dutch.
20220404_151627 by L Travers, on Flickr

Likes For CV-6:
#3572
tantum vehi
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Flathead Valley, MT
Posts: 4,487
Bikes: More than I care to admit
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1144 Post(s)
Liked 866 Times
in
452 Posts
Those Mavic mechs and Retrofriction levers are tight!
__________________
1970 Gitane TdF; 1973 Gitane TdF
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1983 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1983 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
#3573
Banned.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PAZ
Posts: 12,394
Mentioned: 255 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2586 Post(s)
Liked 4,803 Times
in
1,707 Posts
Likes For Drillium Dude:
#3574
Newbie
Both bags are diy / myog, as in I made them. Modern materials, sewn together with Singer from 1972. I do not have scans of patterns or full bill of materials, but I can provide more photos and details if needed.
Frame bag has no nds zipper as I really haven’t found myself using it on any previous frame bags. Other unusual or special internal features are roof velcros (to attach a pump or tent poles) and full length internal mesh pocket. Velcros have fixed positions for this bike, plus MOLLE spaced seat belt webbing at front to allow different top tube bags. Front top has also a pass-through port for cables. Perimeter has full foam padding to protect frame from any dings and to remove noise on rougher terrain.
Likes For gesta:
#3575
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 970
Bikes: 1963? Anquetil , 1973 PX10,1979 PX10,1984 PX10, VITUS 979 PX10DU,1970S ALAN,1985 PSV10,1980s PY10FC,1978 bERTIN,ALAN carbon
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 256 Post(s)
Liked 527 Times
in
245 Posts
Just got my sticky paws on this .
A reasonablly modern (for me) french Courtois frame and forks .
Seems to be a bit of a rare fish .
I like its quirks so far .
Now for the build. Probably will go Shimano . quelle horreur !!
Anyone out there familiar with the brand ?
A reasonablly modern (for me) french Courtois frame and forks .
Seems to be a bit of a rare fish .
I like its quirks so far .
Now for the build. Probably will go Shimano . quelle horreur !!

Anyone out there familiar with the brand ?

Likes For 1simplexnut: