Gitane or Kabuki
 

Sorry I have to post this twice, I set the first poll up as finishing only after 1 vote so just ignore the other one until a moderator deletes it.

74-75 Gitane or 80ish Kabuki for an amateur cyclist? I am shopping for my brother and have narrowed it down to these two, but I am leaning towards the Kabuki for the components and ease of upgrading. Your votes and thoughts are greatly appreciated on why I should choose either one. the Kabuki has Suntour V DR's, Araya quick release rims, and stem shifters which would be immediately replaced with downtube shifters. The Gitane has the Usual French bits on it, unknown Simplex DR's Pivot stem and handlebars and Not much more info on it

I'd go with the Gitane any day. The French had a rare ability of taking a cheap ten speed frame and making it rideable at a level well beyond the price tag.

Also, is that Kabuki one of those frames where the lugs seem to be those big blodgy castings? If so, I remember the same frame as a C. Itoh. Horrible, horrible, frame.

The Gitane is well, you know, French - which means it has a modicum of class in spite of its foibles.

I have just limited experience with a Kubuki, having evaluated one like this with steel rims and it was an utter POC.