Help identify this frame... Sam Braxton or Gitane TdF?
 

Hi all, I just picked this frame up for a very fair price... The seller identifies this bike as a custom built Sam Braxton frame, but then goes onto say that the bike has been identified as a early Gitane Tour de France. The bike originally was equipped with Campagnolo Nuovo Record, and has a french threaded BB, which makes me think it could possibly be a Gitane... Either way it is a nice looking frame, but wanted to know you all's opinion on the origin of this frame... Anyone know anyting about Sam Braxton Frames?

http://s910.photobucket.com/albums/a...0frame%20fork/

Don't know anything about Braxton but my guess is that's it's almost certainly a Gitane. Has all the same details are one I had.

I am not familiar with San Braxton, but it sure looks a heck of a lot like my Gitane TdF frame set that I've been trying to trade.




http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...1976red002.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...1976red007.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...1976red008.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...1976red010.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...1976red012.jpg

The Simplex dropout Gitanes came with Huret derailleurs. If it came with Campy, it would have Campy drops (and would have been a Super Course). I sent my early TdF to Bibliobob, so he should have a good comparison. I have never seen a purple one, and though many details look very similar, my gut says it is not a TdF. The one thing that is swaying me is the decal under the Reynoolds 531 is not the same as the "hand made" decals I have seen on similar vintage Gitanes. I could be swayed the other way though.

Not mine, it had Simplex forged dropouts and came with a Simplex RD...this has the right color, right forkcrown, right cable "stirrup" for the rear CP brake, right French 531 decal...only thing is it has very early style Simplex DOs, earlier than I've seen on a TdF. But that may just indicate an early one...otherwise I have no doubt it's a TdF.
BTW, Sam Braxton owned a shop in Missoula, MT and built frames there. Mainly touring, that was his specialty...CR archives has some info, but no pix there

"Sam Braxton framebuilder and owner of "Braxton Bike Shop" in
Missoula,Montana,USA was quite the opinionated character..."

I am beginning to lean towards a TdF also. An early 70's Example:

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/DSCN0459.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/DSCN0124.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/DSCN0121.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/IMG_0600.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/IMG_0604.jpg

An early 70's Super Course (which needs to go away...hint, hint):

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/IMG_0799.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/IMG_0798.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/IMG_0797.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/IMG_0801.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/IMG_0800.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/IMG_0797.jpg


Does that say "email luxepolymerise"? If so, that would make a cool, yet difficult email address. Lol.

So this last picture, the one with the "email luxepolymerise" makes me think it is for sure a gitane, and possibly a super corsa? It has seemingly the same lugging as the purple mystery bike, and in on eof the photos you can see the remnants of this decal as well. At Gitane.co m they have vintage calogues, and the 1970s have a violet that looks to fit, and this would be the right vintage as well... As far as the sticker below the Reynolds decal, it looks to be a shop sticker, as you can make out "braxton" on it...

So, does my logic work? this purple guy is a 1970 Gitane Super Corsa?

Super Corsa's had Campy dropouts. You hsve Simplex which makes it a TdF. Those decals were on both bikes, but the TdF I had the sticker was trashed.

correct, and for the record: Gitane put that "email luxe polymerise" chainstay sticker on several (lower) models, including the Interclub and Grand Sport. Maybe it went on any Gitane that got paint.
Loosely translated: Deluxe Polymer Enamel.

All the details look the same as my "Criterium violet" TdF, aside from the rear dropouts. Mine are Simplex, but perhaps a later variant.
This is a 71 or 72 model.http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/...dF/Gitane2.jpg

There's a purple one for you /\

Are you wanting to sell it?

What is your asking price?

I have one that's too big for me, but this one looks more like my size.