BG2

Sometimes the unexpected happens and this is such a occasion.

I stumbled across this Locomotief bike and a few things made my buy this bike.

1 the curvy lugs thru out the frame and it's striping all over
2 the (long?) campy dropouts
3 the stronlight crank with depose beneath the logo (early 60's?)
4 the unusual seatstay's which i had never seen
5 the barely visible but stil the reynolds decals on both frame and better on the forklegs
6 the skinny forklegs
7 the clamps on the toptube (brand gb)

The rest of the bike is a bit of a mix of parts like the shimi levers the suntour r'derr and wheels. All not so important parts as they can be found to correct the bike and make it as authentic as possible regarding model and year.

The funny part for me is that the dia compe (610/750?) brakes have a weinmann bridge for the cables. According to the pix on the wonderful site called velobase there was no such a little item. Would dia compe not have made this little part?

So here it is
The simplex f'derr and stronglight 49A? indicates it as a 60's bike but i need the help of you forum members to track down the model year for this frameset

Is this a gazelle locomotief of is this a locomotief while still under the umbrella of the VNG holding.

Can't wait to see what you have to say about it so thanks in advance.

s70rguy

Gazelle bought Locomotief in 1968, so its possible ..

BG2

How can you tell

Elev12k

Nice

I would think it is earlier.

Locomotief had been a supplier to the Dutch national team that entered the Tour de France each year prior to that the private teams emerged. Gazelle acquired Locomotief and with it much roadbike know-how and somewhat later issued the Champion Mondial line of roadbikes.

Locomotief's Slesker and a couple well known Dutch pro's inspect roadbike on Amsterdam RAI bike expo >>

https://proxy.handle.net/10648/a90761...8-003048976d84

s70rguy

I tend to agree with Melvin. Gazelle bought Locomotief, and used their racing bike knowledge to start up their own race bike workshop, but that probably only came to fruition from c. 1970 on. So this one very much looks like a real Locomotief.

BG2

A true locomotief ....
It's hard to believe if that's true as this has been my dream in owning a true 60's bike.

Could both of please share your thought's/knowledge in why you think this could be a treu pre 65 locomotief.

I'm so curious to know so please fill me in on this one.

Also am i correct to assume the simplex was a correct group for this bike to be equipped with and can i so fit all the incorrect parts and what for hubs should be used and are normandy high flange period and authentically correct.

Elev12k

In '09 telly mag 'Varagids' provided a supplement on the TdF. The history pages included this pic >>



~"Wout Wagtmans (left) and Wim van Est in Rouen for the start of the Les Essarts - Caen stage, June 12 1954. Van Est would win the stage."

BG2

Nice :-)

s70rguy

Lets try this one step by step.

Is it a full 531 db frame, as in real top end racing frame. If so, and its lets say mid 60s, its Locomotief built.

The lugs might point that way too, I've never seen a Gazelle Champion Mondial with those lugs. Lug experts may help here.

Dating the parts will help, but I'm completely out of my depth about anything pre-70. Melvin is younger than me, so probably he cant pinpoint the parts too.
But others will be able to do so.

Great pic Melvin!

Elev12k

Wout Wagtmans >> https://www.dewielersite.net/db2/wiel...coureurid=7220

in the pics wearing jerseys of Locomotief, Magneet, Eroba, Joco ...and more

Wim van Est >> https://www.dewielersite.net/db2/wiel...coureurid=5065

marley mission

i am diggin that bike big time - just remember in your overhaul that those stronglight crank arms use a special puller (am i right on that?) you dont want to damage them

Elev12k

As Freek says: looks decent old, but I am no real expert on bikes this age.

Elev12k

Yes, you're right on that. A Stronglight specific puller.

unworthy1

What fun to see this, thanks for sharing the pics. I can't offer any real insight except that it has a Nervex Pro seat lug and BB shell, but the head lugs are unique (vague resemblance to a Prugnat, but not) and so is the forkcrown (stylish!). Since the forkblades had 531 decals (almost perished), I'd say it's all-531. Great bike! I'm pretty sure the Stronglight crank and BB are original, those might be used to get a precise date.

LeicaLad 

I agree that it appears to be all 531. The parts selections scream mid-60's.

The bike is in stunning condition, too. Very lucky find. Thanks for sharing the photos.

Also, be aware that you need the older Stronglight crank puller, as they issued later versions that are the standard size. Go to the oldest bike shop you know, and they'll probably have the right version. If in doubt, screw in the puller VERY slowly!

Elev12k

You will now completely restore it and bring back period correct parts?

BG2

No no don't worry i won't.

I'll do as much de rusting with vinegar as i can and don't know wether i do touchups on the worst spots or keep it clean and top it of with clear paint/ nail polish.

My goal is to bring it back to it's former glory parts wise that is.

I assume this bike was equipped with simplex wich is ok by me.

Used, abused and bruised is what i call these kinda bike with loads of rusty spots

I'm still puzzled though what kind of hubs i should use.

I really like the big normandy hubs but i don't know if these could be used for the build year of the bike as i thought these hubs where from the 70's and this bike is a 60's model

Italuminium

more pics on this page.

Not my bike, but from the archives of Martin Gerritsen.

https://www.m-gineering.nl/oldtech.htm

unworthy1

Using a crude translation, he seems to say the headlugs are of a simpler series and different than the Nervex Pro seat lug and BB shell, but doesn't offer a brand...seems to say the forkcrown is a modified Vagner (not like I've seen before). Thanks for the link!

Elev12k

also a nice Fongers-RIH under the link! Yum

BG2

Bike is finally ready and is a great trip to memory lane

Italuminium

This is what C&V is all about, great resto but without losing the original character of the bike. Excellent! enjoy.

Zieleman

Wow, fantastic piece of history you got there! Great work on bringing it back to life. Are you willing to ride it on oncoming retro-rides?

Chicago Al 

Woutervanwijk

Nice locomotief. A year ago i had the opportunity to buy a Tour de France model as shown on the m-engineering site. Team Pellenaers rode on it. I still regret that i didnt do it. Had simplex prestige derrailleurs with a hollow Stronglight BB axle, titan maes kint handlebar/stem. Only needed some wheels.