Miyata110

I would like to hear from others who have restored an old French bike.

As my current project is nearing an end, I’ve been presented with an opportunity to rehab on old Peugeot (it is in worse shape than my Raleigh was and does not include a wheel set). While I would like to jump into another project, and if it fits would be a keeper for me, I have read that these bikes have the potential to be a bit odd (uncommon seat post and headset diameters, special tools needed for cranks, etc.). Ultimately if I jump in there will be no turning back and I want to be sure I’m not getting myself into a black hole of frustration, expenses, and potential heartache if it didn’t work out for some reason.

If you have any experience in this field, let me know if you thought it was worth it in the end.

ericbaker

The most satisfying jobs are never the easiest

not necesarily comforting or encouraging, just the truth

dbakl

A little harder to locate some parts, as French bikes are unique to themselves, but I seem to be able to find anything I need on ebay. Best to start with something mostly all there.

Miyata110

Eric - I agree 100% (that is why I am even considering this project) I guess I am just a little intimidated.

dbaki - other than wheels everything on the bike is accounted for.

Beach Comber

Part of that might depend on the model and year. Some Pugs are common to find parts, and even whole donor bikes. What's yours?

Miyata110

'72 PX-10 (yes, yes, I've done my research)

Italuminium

Ask the dukes of Orleans about the Restoration .

i've restored two peugeots, and while some threadings might not be easy to find, the ride of the finished product makes it worth it.

dbakl

I wouldn't worry then. You need a pair of Normandy Competition high flange hubs on sewups. The hubs turn up on ebay...

rhm

It depends on the bike. And yes, a PX10 is worth it. Of course it depends to some degree on the present condition of the bike and what condition you want it to be in when you're done. The headset, for example, probably looks rusty but may still have good bearings; and so on. The only special tool you need is the Stronglight puller, and you only need it once every five or ten years, so you can borrow it. The white paint is easy to match. The decals are available. The original wheels were nice, but if you're not into tubular tires you probably would have replaced them --or at least the rims-- anyway.

I was going to make a crack along those lines....

Grand Bois

I got a set of correct wheels for your PX10 for free from a member here that said he had a few sets he doesn't want. I don't want to give his name, but maybe he'll offer you some.

It's not difficult to restore French bikes. I have three and I'm always looking for another.

dbakl

I agree. I used to avoid them, now it seems to be all I find.

Miyata110

Thanks all. The frame is in ROUGH shape, but based on the improvements I have made on my current project I'm confident I can vastly improve it. Before I make any final decisions I still need to give it a thorough inspection – any major things I should look for (besides the obvious dents, pitting, etc.) that are common issues with these bikes?

I don't need the end result to be showroom quality. My Raleigh will probably be a 9/10 from a distant, maybe 7/10 up close. With this bike, I won’t be in nearly as big of a hurry and if I ended up with similar results I would be thrilled.

Sorry – I think I had pretty much made my mind up on this, I just wanted to see if there were any “NOOOOOO – you are making a HUGE mistake, these things are nearly impossible to restore” comments.

rootboy 

A '72 PX-10? Almost all there? Do it. Does it need a re-paint?

Miyata110

It depends on how you define "need". For it to be immaculate in the end - probably. For it to meet my standards - probably not.

kroozer 

I have 2 vintage French lightweights (a 68 Lejeune and a 75 Motobecane) and they're basically the same as anything else from that period, except for the threading. If you have the headset and BB then you don't have to worry about that. Even if you did need them, French HS's and BB's are still pretty easy to find. For me there would be two minor issues:
1) The Simplex dropouts are made for Simplex derailleurs.
2) I went out of my way to find French hubs (Normandy Luxe Competition) with English freewheel threading, so that I can run them with Suntour freewheels. This is mostly because French freewheels seem to have limited cog sizes, especially in the wider ranges. If you're picky about your gearing and want something wider than a corncob, you might have a hard time finding exactly what you want. Also, I haven't used a French freewheel in decades, but the old ones had a reputation for skating the chain over the cogs, which I used to do on my Atom-equipped Schwinn Continental. Maybe the other folks on the forum can give you more info on French freewheel performance.

The French had a great cycling tradition and made some nice bikes.

due ruote 

I wouldn't hesitate if the price is right.

Obviously you want to check the frame very carefully for dents, bent fork, crooked stays, etc.

I like to drop the chain so I can feel the BB better when the cranks are turned. But even if it feels a bit rough, odds are you can improve it with a re-pack. Ditto for the HS.

If you take a close look at the chainrings you can get some feel for the mileage, assuming they are original. Some bikes look rough from neglect and exposure, not mileage. If that's the case you might get lucky with a careful cleaning and re-build.

Beach Comber

If I had a early 70s PX10 that fit me, I'd not hesitate to rebuild it. And if the frame needed a repaint, I might even try randyjawas's paint technique.

Chombi

For French C&V parts......."If you wait, it will come".......at eBay......Just be prepared to pay the recently steeply rising prices for them......
Specially for high line components that seems to be very popular with collectors from Asia recently.

Chombi

auchencrow

Some people have a lot of problems with French bikes because they want to restore them with Japanese parts.

I just re-use the original (i.e., correct) parts, so I don't have any problems and it rarely costs me anything.

Miyata110

Perfect. Just what I'm doing with the Raleigh and the same formula I plan on following here.

Chombi

Heck, it seems like every mid 80's and later Vitus bike you find out there was equipped with Shimano DA 7400 and 600 groups...........The reason why I decided to go for my 85 Vitus "Tout French" project. I felt that Vitus bikes did not feel complete to me, personally, if they did not have French components on them.....

I would think older French bikes have more reason to be "Tout French", as the threading gives the owners few choices...

Chombi

Chicago Al 

I'm in the same boat as you, with a 72-73 ish PX-10 in my size. It's apart in my basement and I have kind of stalled out on the restoration, but should really get back to it. Everyone but everyone says they are great riding bikes and as I'm pursuing this hobby I figure this is something I have to try. As the saying (which I just made up) goes: 'If you're riding something French, you need a special wrench.'

btw I have parts for a workable pretty-much original drivetrain now, but am working on later, all metal Simplex instead of the Delrin versions. Not strictly necessary as the Delrin evidently can last for years, but as I'm building it up, might as well upgrade, while still staying French. Likewise I acquired some Mafac Racers, but am not sure I'm going to use the levers as I just don't like them.

Miyata110

Oddly enough, RE the derrailleurs, my current project orginially came with Simplex which I replaced because I thought the plastic was quite ugly. Now that this bike has them as well (different model RD but looks very similar) I'm thinking about actually giving them a try. Plus if the the suspect FD breaks, I'll know that I have an idential replacement waiting at home!

Hangtownmatt

I've been procrastinating a French restore myself. My wife brought into our marriage a 1980/81 Cycles Gitane Interclub with 788 Vitus tubing. It really doesn't need much because it has hardly been used. I'd like to restore it for my daughter but she'd like the handlebars to be higher. What are my options? Sheldon Brown talks about sanding down something like a Nitto Technomic, but I'm hoping there is a better way. I've also considered converting to something like North Road/Albatros bars ... if possible.

Any thoughts as to the value/quality of this bike would also be appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt

Chombi

IIRC, the Interclub was Gitane's entry level "race bike". Somewhat similar to a Peugeot PGN. So yes, it's worth restoring. Gitanes being less common out there compared to Peugeots is another good reason to do so.

Chombi