Thanks for the comment! When I bought this as a basket-case in 1974, hanging up in the back of a bicycle shop, there was a frame, two wheels, and a bag of parts -- I can only guess which, if any, of the parts were original. The cranks were indeed 49D and are still on the bike, as are the brakes and I seem to recall the seat post... but much of the rest has been changed.

Now that I have given up on trying to trick the 543 to be a 6543 with an extra-narrow 6-speed freewheel, now it shifts great as a 5 speed. Today is supposed to be the arrival of a nice freewheel from the world-famous Pastor Bob; meanwhile, an inferior-quality IRD freewheel suffices.

It is being ridden rather a lot more in recent months.

This has to be the cleanest original early-60s top-end Gitanes I’ve seen.
A few years ago I found a ‘more patinated’ example from around 1960, but I have yet to pin down the exact year. How did you determine yours? Gitane S/Ns seem to be a bit random!

My c1960 Gitane, pretty much as purchased from the previous owner who had it almost from new and who rode it up Mont Ventoux twice.
[img alt="As found apart from wheels and saddle.
Full 531 with Campagnolo dropouts."]https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/1580x2000/img_3794_1b490b13e432eba79651df19da1c34f9e7361596.jpeg[/img]
As found apart from wheels and saddle. Full 531 with Campagnolo dropouts.
boo

Gitane International
1963/64 Survivor, still as found
Reynolds 531 DB throughout
Campagnolo dropouts and fork ends
Nervex Professional lugs
Willow Leaf style seatstay caps
Stronglight 49D crankset
Campy Gran Sports derailleurs
Campy "No Record" hubs with
1963 date code with closed C QRs
Mafac "TIGER" brakes
Ideale No. 60 saddle with
Duralumin frame rails
Mavic rims[/QUOTE]

Lovely bike, the seat stay caps are not; however, the classic willow leaf that are commonly discussed (which are Carre-like if not by Carre himself). These are the earlier, elongated caps which I’m betting have a sinuous profile as opposed to the convex arc seen on the subsequent Carre-like willow leafs.

some new bits, but I may just run the eclair pedals for a while longer.

Love the chain guard!

Please let us know when you're ready to move this one along.

Lovely bike, the seat stay caps are not; however, the classic willow leaf that are commonly discussed (which are Carre-like if not by Carre himself). These are the earlier, elongated caps which I’m betting have a sinuous profile as opposed to the convex arc seen on the subsequent Carre-like willow leafs.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your clarification about the seatstay caps.

[QUOTE=rmfrance;23613495]This has to be the cleanest original early-60s top-end Gitanes I’ve seen.
A few years ago I found a ‘more patinated’ example from around 1960, but I have yet to pin down the exact year. How did you determine yours? Gitane S/Ns seem to be a bit random!

The Campagnolo hub locknut date codes helped me determine date.
Thanks,
John D

I believe this is a 1984 Grantour. Daily driver and great for long weekends too. Someday it'll get a fresh coat of paint but for now I still like the ratbike/patina look.

Hi everyone. I bought a Gitane Mach 1200. The date is 2000 06 on seatpost and headset, i think it is a date of fabricate. The total weight in this condition is 11 kg. I couldn't find the country by the barcode (710). 2x8 transmission. May be you know something interesting about this bike) Thanks)

Local pickup today. Derailleurs and brake levers have been swapped out, but otherwise it looks to be pretty original and in nice shape!
Needs to be overhauled and adjusted; pictured as it arrived

Finally mounted a pair of Challenge Paris Roubaix 30mm tubulars and the last item will be a TA Criterium water bottle cage if I can locate one for a reasonable price. If the weather cooperates will take it out for the first ride this year in honour of Verktyg.

Nice, I'm sure it will be a great ride.

Posted this photo before but wanted to compare with your new TdF, missed that blue, eh?

Mark- I did! 😁. I couldn’t pass this one up at $100. It needs a little tweaking of parts and an overhaul, but it seems quite nice. I’m planning to keep this one as a spare for a riding buddy to use when he visits the island.

Fork crown says it's a 1971. Crowns changed for 1972.
(The first blue one, not the one just above.)

OK; ‘71 it is! Thanks!

Just finished this TdF build and it only took four years since I acquired the frame from Hazetguy! Anyway, rode it twelve miles earlier today on Cape Cod and it rides very well. It is destined to be used by my oldest daughter who doesn't yet have a vintage French bike like her two sisters. The oldest daughter for years expressed no interest in riding a bike but after seeing these photos, she seems pretty excited now! Tried to keep the bike as original as possible with the exception of clinchers not sew-ups, Simplex SLJ shifters, wider bars, larger freewheel (14 - 28) and something other than the original plastic "ass hatchet" saddle. Do hope to mount a B-17 or possibly an Ideale saddle on it if oldest daughter agrees.
I love these old French bikes - enjoy the detective work to find components that fit, the build-up process, riding them, and of course, answering questions and talking with other people that get a kick out of these ancient bikes!

Your TDF is quite nice. I have one in the wings and the sew-ups are definitely holding me up. I have another one that is built and it has a Sugino crankset, All French threads and Campy Tipo hubs. In fact both Gitanes have Tipo hubs.

Enjoy the ride

That is a lovely bike. Those fork crown lugs say 1972. Also, the majority of TdF bikes from Gitane from 1969-72 came with Tipo hubs. I had an old mechanic pal who swore by the Tipo hubs. All about keeping them properly lubed and adjusted, he'd grumble. My first, TdF, purchased in the Spring of 1971 came with Tipo hubs and fine silk Italian sewups. I'd never seen such things before. They were magic.