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Show your French bikes!

Old 11-23-18, 01:11 PM
  #2876  
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I would have posted this one in the French 3-speed thread, but ... it’s no longer a 3-speed.

I picked this one up from French eBay as a knock-around project. I think it was the chain guard that drove the impulse decision. It arrived either poorly packed or was the victim of US Customs searches (Customs tape all over the box). The front fender was crushed flat and the pump was about to escape through a hole in the box. I don’t know if the manufacturer was Mongilardi or if the bike just acquired some decals, but I really don’t care. It’s quite solid, yet light. Nervex lugs and bottom bracket shell. It came with a Simplex Prestige (mostly plastic) derailleur stuck on so that I had to disassemble it in order to turn the wing nuts to remove the rear wheel. There’s a rough area under the right chainstay that could be where there was a hole for a bell crate derailleur spring. Wheels were lovely chromed (heavy) Liotard steel. The 3-speed 20-26 freewheel provided an easy leisurely ride. Not really what I wanted. But it would not budge even with thermal wrench and punch and hammer treatment.

So I built some wheels with a set of Normandy Luxe competition hubs I had and some alloy rims and installed a 5-speed 14-26 freewheel. I replaced the ugly derailleur with a Campy Gran Sport. The Simplex shift lever will be replaced eventually. I didn’t have a prettier one in my parts box. So it’s no longer a 3-speed. It is a wonderful ride, very peppy and responsive to turn suggestions. But also very comfortable and stable. I added a front rack because I’m addicted to handlebar bags. So now I have my neighborhood cruiser with a French accent














Last edited by Honusms; 11-23-18 at 07:07 PM.
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Old 11-23-18, 01:25 PM
  #2877  
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What a beauty - very classy refurbishing! Those forks look like they have a good amount of offset creating a low trail setup. How does it handle with a front load?
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Old 11-23-18, 01:34 PM
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Funny you should ask! I had her out around the TCU campus this morning with a bag full of electronics and a heavy lock. Very stable handling. Oh - and the saddle is amazingly comfy!
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Old 11-24-18, 12:50 AM
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The French really knew how to do bikes right!
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Old 11-24-18, 08:33 AM
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What a beauty Honusms.

That chain guard would have sold me as well. Very cool. The whole bike just oozes Frenchness and it would be right at home on the streets of Paris, or of course, the campus of TCU as well!
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Old 11-24-18, 09:39 AM
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Here is a PFN 10 that had wheels that match what was on the PF 60, the PFN was supposed to have maillard hubs on mavic rims but this had maillard hubs on Wolber super champion gentleman.

Also so here is my newly cleaned Raphael Geminiani.


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Old 11-26-18, 01:30 AM
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I have to say I'm very impressed with the ride. Normandy Lux Comp. Hubs w Supra Corsa Tubulars. I still need toe clips and straps.



I'm running Vittoria Supra Corsa Tubulars.


Brooks Profesional





Last edited by Cycologist; 11-26-18 at 01:35 AM.
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Old 11-26-18, 09:22 AM
  #2883  
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Originally Posted by Honusms
I would have posted this one in the French 3-speed thread, but ... it’s no longer a 3-speed.

I picked this one up from French eBay as a knock-around project. I think it was the chain guard that drove the impulse decision. It arrived either poorly packed or was the victim of US Customs searches (Customs tape all over the box). The front fender was crushed flat and the pump was about to escape through a hole in the box. I don’t know if the manufacturer was Mongilardi or if the bike just acquired some decals, but I really don’t care. It’s quite solid, yet light. Nervex lugs and bottom bracket shell. It came with a Simplex Prestige (mostly plastic) derailleur stuck on so that I had to disassemble it in order to turn the wing nuts to remove the rear wheel. There’s a rough area under the right chainstay that could be where there was a hole for a bell crate derailleur spring. Wheels were lovely chromed (heavy) Liotard steel. The 3-speed 20-26 freewheel provided an easy leisurely ride. Not really what I wanted. But it would not budge even with thermal wrench and punch and hammer treatment.

So I built some wheels with a set of Normandy Luxe competition hubs I had and some alloy rims and installed a 5-speed 14-26 freewheel. I replaced the ugly derailleur with a Campy Gran Sport. The Simplex shift lever will be replaced eventually. I didn’t have a prettier one in my parts box. So it’s no longer a 3-speed. It is a wonderful ride, very peppy and responsive to turn suggestions. But also very comfortable and stable. I added a front rack because I’m addicted to handlebar bags. So now I have my neighborhood cruiser with a French accent













Very nice! What tires are you using?
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Old 11-26-18, 10:00 AM
  #2884  
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Those are Grand Bois Hetres (42mm). Very nice ride on a variety of surfaces.
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Old 11-26-18, 10:17 AM
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I like how these pictures turned out so wanted to share although some of you guys might be tired of seeing these bikes lol sorry
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Old 11-26-18, 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by honusms


funny you should ask! I had her out around the tcu campus this morning with a bag full of electronics and a heavy lock. Very stable handling. Oh - and the saddle is amazingly comfy!
sweet!!!
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Old 11-27-18, 06:52 PM
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1972 Gitane TDF

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Old 11-27-18, 08:00 PM
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197? Velosolex Saint Tropez
This was a CL find that I grabbed for $50 because I noticed the Reynolds 531 decal. Put a lot of elbow grease into fixing this up.


1977? Peugeot U-08
This one is my beater/commuter. Has a great ride and a lot of random parts. Got it on CL for $60 in awful condition complete with nasty gold spray paint job that I actually kind of like.

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Old 11-27-18, 08:03 PM
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This thread has earned its place as my current favorite. I just picked up a matching pair of Lejeunes. One a Professional which the previous owner switched over to NR at some point and the other a matching 531DB track bike. Both have quite rough paint so pictures will have to wait. They also have matching Ideale 2001 saddles with equally rough leather covers. Has anyone recovered one of these? I’d prefer not to toss them.
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Old 11-27-18, 08:04 PM
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1974 Motobecane Grand Jubilee


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Old 11-27-18, 08:16 PM
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^
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Old 11-27-18, 08:30 PM
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Thanks! Lovely ride; I remember drooling over these in the bike shop as a teenager
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Old 11-28-18, 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by CV-6
Sweet
nice collection! I love the chromed bike in the back<3 what is it?
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Old 11-28-18, 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by amillhench
This thread has earned its place as my current favorite. I just picked up a matching pair of Lejeunes. One a Professional which the previous owner switched over to NR at some point and the other a matching 531DB track bike. Both have quite rough paint so pictures will have to wait. They also have matching Ideale 2001 saddles with equally rough leather covers. Has anyone recovered one of these? I’d prefer not to toss them.
Before pics are as wanted as any, we want to see what it starts as, the rougher the better for a more dramatic transformation.

Our very own @rhm is the saddle guru and can undoubtedly advise.
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Old 11-28-18, 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Antipodes
My girlfriend's custom SS '72ish Peugeot PX10:

As above, apologies to those that have seen it many times before.

What a beauty!!
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Old 11-28-18, 04:40 PM
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[QUOTE=wtgrantham;10401879]Didn't start out to collect French Bikes, but they just keep finding me!

hahahaha i know how that feels, i must have had 15 bikes at once at some point!
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Old 11-29-18, 02:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Honusms
Those are Grand Bois Hetres (42mm). Very nice ride on a variety of surfaces.
---



A feller learns something new each time when visiting the forum.

Who knew that one of our regulars was also producing cycle tyres!

-----
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Old 11-29-18, 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by juvela
---



A feller learns something new each time when visiting the forum.

Who knew that one of our regulars was also producing cycle tyres!

-----
Found on British eBay
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Old 12-02-18, 01:48 PM
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Here is the Elvish bicycle that made me fall in love with cycling. It was given to me from a coworker that had it sitting in his garage. It came from his dad, but he didnt talk to him to anymore, so i was never able to get some piece of history from the previous owner. That bike litterally changed my life... I had been biking to commute in Montreal for years, but that bike was so smooth and fast, i fell in love. Also i have to admit i find her quite pretty.. I started pedaling for fun, loving Montreal's climbs, got in better shape then i had ever been. Biking in the townships on weekends, I discovered i was a natural climber.. I could keep going on that love story but i wont haha! Lets get to more technical stuff


She went through some upgrades along the years. Got her with all Shimano 600 12 speed 1985 groupset, upgraded with dura ace 2x9speed. Frame was streched to fit a larger cassette. Upgraded the original Rigida wheelset to Campy nucleon. It has Campagnolo dropouts. Reynolds 531 tubing. French threaded cranks were retapped by Marinoni to fit standard thread clipless pedals(currently speedplay). BBcups are still french thread Shimano600, but axle was replaced. Unfortunately, i have never found the serial number on this bike, but it feels older than the 85 groupset i got it with.



Last edited by jboisleduc; 12-02-18 at 01:59 PM.
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Old 12-02-18, 02:49 PM
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Oh my!! That is a stunner. And on closer inspection it is likely Carré and likely a Lejeune despite the Elvish markings. I know of another. Small wonder you like the ride.
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Last edited by CV-6; 12-02-18 at 05:08 PM.
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