Huzzah for the French!
 

Some photos of my two Gitanes; a 1971 Super Corsa (awaiting decals and bar tape) and my 1972 Tour de France. Both are sweet bikes - lets see photos of yours...

Oooo. Love a green French bike. Those are beauties.

I really need to get me one of those early 70's TdF or Super Corsa's. Maybe when the kids leave the house.

Utter beauties. I LOVE my Gitanes!

Two (2) 1971 Gitanes.

First, the 1971 Super Corsa: Stock, 98% as delivered from shop in 1971. All Campy, including brakes. Original pedals taken off for safe keeping. I've replaced the original brake pads, all of which still have a fine thin lip of undamaged rubber down the center of each pad. Bullseye pulleys. New cables.

Edit: I see that the original Brooks saddle was off for treatment for these photos. It went right back on. The Avocet was just temporary.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/IMG_2036.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/IMG_2032.jpg

AND...

my 1971 Tour de France. Purchased new in June 1971. Only the Stronglight crank and BB are original. Many countries over many years. Scars to show for it.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/IMG_1634.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/Gitane81.jpg

They are both fabulous riders.

You're bringing the flashbacks fast and furious here LeicaLad. That second pic with the panniers is the spittin' image of my friend's bike in 71 when we rode the Olympic peninsula, right down to the NR rear derailleur, and I had a similarly equipped PX-10. Fond memories of those light and nimble French steeds.
They made OK tourers, no?

I used to assemble and sell them when I worked in a LBS back in 1974. I bought a TdF a few years ago and just recently put upright bars on it. I still have the original bars with what I believe to be the original bar tape.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...a/e85cfb39.jpg

A not very good head shot of my TdF http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/...99/Gitane3.jpg

My 1972, set up for day touring


http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/x...e/IMG_0068.jpg


and My 1973 complete restoration

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/x...e/IMG_0217.jpg

Wow - love that orange one!!

Okay. For those of you who do not know the joys of the GitaneUSA site, here is the most stunning refinish job EVER:

http://www.gitaneusa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1583

We ALL wish it were ours.

83 Peugeot UE8M


http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...8M/Inwoods.jpg


http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...lexShifter.jpg






76 Moto Grand Jubile



http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...ubilebarsa.jpg


http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...976Silver_.jpg





74 Moto Grand Jubile (in process)


http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...972Red038a.jpg





74 Moto Grand Touring


http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...ng1974003a.jpg


http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...g-1974008a.jpg





72 Peugeot PX10



http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...1972-Blue_.jpg


http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...0/PX10024a.jpg

87 Peugeot PX10
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=187014

Cool colors, Bentlink !

Auchen, that black and red 74 is beautiful, even in unfinished form. I'm looking forward to seeing it completed. And the PX10.. blue is much more appealing than white(IMO). Very nice

Here are mine.

85 PH501

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...t/IMG_3650.jpg

83 PSV10. next to be finished(hopefully)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...t/IMG_4079.jpg

85 or 86 PH10LE. Sold(too small for me). It was a nice riding bike though

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...t/IMG_3286.jpg

'72 Gitane Grand Sport Deluxe
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0...D550/ry%3D400/

Thank you fro the compliment Roger M. I especially appreciate it since I can see from your post that you have fine taste in French steel.
And likewise, I look forward to seeing your PSV10 project! - It will a marvelous bike - the Vitus tubing will AMAZE you!

There sure are a lot of great looking Gitanes in this thread !

Love that color!

My old Super Corsa now gone
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c1...t/IMGP2138.jpg
My current 87 Interclub love that 531 pro
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c1...t/IMGP2164.jpg

Nice ones! Just got me a 70's Mercier. How hard is it to find Mafac Half Hood levers?

It's easy - just BIN on eBay. . . ( They may cost twice as much as you paid for your bike though !)

Ugh, bike was free ...

Very cool bikes! I am starting to appreciate French bikes more. Hope to have pictures of an almost finished PX10E restoration soon.

My 72' PX10 650b bastard child:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/...e14cc911_o.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/...9aee6e86_o.jpg

Can my Moto play too?http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/...love/Moto1.jpghttp://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/...love/Moto8.jpghttp://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/...love/Moto7.jpghttp://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/...love/Moto4.jpg