I love this bike - love the way you have it set up too. I'd stick with the porteurs, they really suit the bike.

Well done.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GmYBBzTzcVQ/TQ...00/PHX50_2.jpg

That is such a beautiful bicyclette... bravo.

I'm finally getting around to posting some updated photos of this project. The bike isn't quite functional as I need to deal with the front hub and find a hub/cone set that fits the shell and the wingnuts (or go back to the original quick release). Lights are also decorative, not yet functional. It was a bit of a bear fitting these finders to tires that are too small for them, and I'm afraid they won't make it through a bumpy test ride, but here it is for now:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_G...PXH50_new1.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_G...PXH50_new2.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_G...PXH50_new3.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_G...PXH50_new4.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_G...PXH50_new5.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_G...PXH50_new6.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_G...PXH50_new7.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_G...PXH50_new8.jpg

Neal

Love it.

NEEEEEDS the simplex chaingaurd/FD piece.
I know its expensive but it would look SO much better on this bike than that chaingaurd.
Galiber95 has one up for sale right now, they come along every month.
http://i56.tinypic.com/14o0f1v.jpg
I think there is even a non-jockey style

Yeah, it could also use 42mm Grand Bois Hetre tires, but I'm having trouble justifying expensive bits for this project. The parts you see on it all pretty much came from what I had in the basement other than the rear light and the seatpost. Ah well. I might have to go look at Galiber95's offerings.

Neal

Stunning work Neal. I was wondering how that project was coming along.

Is this a 3 or 4 speed? I've got an old 4 speed randonneur with a Grand Tourisme derailleur that doesn't always want to reach all 4 sprockets on the freewheel. I think I need to fiddle around with the derailleur alignment some more.

Thanks! It's got a 5-speed freewheel on there, but that RD only seems to reach three of those cogs. I believe it would have originally come with a 4-speed block like yours, so perhaps it needs some persuading.

Neal

It's looking great, Neal! What's your planned use of the bike? Any plans for a porteur rack?

It looks really good. Good job. I am looking forward to future pictures.

Beautiful. I love it.

I haven't quite decided, Anton. I already have a French porteur, so that's likely not the direction I'll go. Somewhat likely is that I'll take off those fenders and chainguard, install drop bars and Mafac levers, a different wheelset w/ QR hubs, and run it as the randonneur it was intended to be.

Neal

Incredibly rocking man! Excellent work and creative rebuild!

Or maybe use those levers with drops. Personally, I find early Mafac drop levers uncomfortable. For me it's either use them from the hoods or use them from the drops. It's hard to set them up where they'll work both ways.

I did try guidonnet levers on drop bars on a different bike a couple of years ago, and it made me realize that I really like to ride holding on to the brake hoods. My wrists got sore for some reason holding on the bars instead. But for this bike, that might be the right direction to go.

Neal

Neal,

Its looking good!!

Jim

There is an Indian site that sells 3 and 4 speed blocks... they won't be as nice as a Simplex or other quality freewheel but they are out there and are quite inexpensive.

The Italian made Simplex 4 speed block on my PLX 8 was NOS and a friend had it stashed in his box o parts.

You wouldn't have a link to the site would you? The 4 speed block on my randonneur is really worn. I think chain stretch caused the wear because the chain was stretched so bad it wouldn't mesh all the way around the chainring.

Here you go... cannot attest to the quality of these.

http://www.bicyclewheelsindia.com/frrewheel1.htm

Thanks.

Can't be too bad...after all they advertise "unflinching commitment to total quality and customer's satisfaction"

Neal,

I've got a set of drops with a french stem and those Mafac Racer levers with the adjustable brake mechanism on top you can have. Perhaps 20 years away from era-appropriate, but at least shipping is free ; ).

EDIT: BTW It's gorgeous!

I fully support using Guidonette levers with drop bars, extremely nice.

Yes, this is really pretty bike. I'm impressed with how the paint and decals cleaned up - is there any particular trick to it, or just detergent and careful elbow grease? I think you'd have to go pretty easy around the decals.

The paint was quite well preserved, so elbow grease, automotive rubbing compound (the white stuff, not the red but still need to go easy around the decals), and liquid wax did the trick.

Neal

Neal it looks great. if it were mine, I would throw on some aerospokes and bullhorns or...not.