I went to look at an old bike on CL which turned out to be a Mizutani Super Seraph that had been welded on. The fellow also had what he called a women’s Motobecane, but it turned out to be a Jeunet France Comte. I was taken with the look of this bike as we pulled it out of the weeds. For $20 I had a project that would give my wife a nice “around town” bike that was distinctive, but it was going to be a lot of work. I sanded it down pretty much to bare metal. We decided to keep it the original color scheme which I refer to as Putain Française. I had a few components that would take a couple pounds off of her and make her a little faster, but at 38, she wasn’t going to break any records even if her beauty could be preserved. It remains for the most part a French bicycle. I will put the French derailleur back on when I find replacement idler cogs, it the mean time, it rides like a dream, and awaits a custom rack, and possibly fenders if my wife wishes.

it doesn't seem possible for it to weigh 38 pounds. Are the tubes filled with concrete?

That paint came out really nice. I'm guessing the 38 is an age reference? She's a '74 (the bike, not your wife)?

Nice job. I'm liking the old cottered cranks. If available shoot me a PM.

The bike looks good. Nice work!

Nice bike and, I too, would be surprised if it weighed in at 38lb. Anyway, I picked one up a few years ago, and the one I found was in near mint condition. Beautiful bicycles and so vintage looking. Just great and my guess is your wife will love her bike. I certainly liked the one I found...


As for the cottered cranks, I have some to spare.

Thanks for that clarification Himespau, yes it is 38 years old. I was actually surprised at what the alloy components did to take the weight down. I am judging it is no more than 26 pounds, not bad for high tensile steel. Thanks for the compliments. The paint is not professional, but not bad for rattle can. I brushed on the black paint on the lugs. The old cottered crank is an A. Duprat, and the chrome is still decent. This picture was before the polish of course. The cups were shot, so I used the sealed Velo Orange bottom bracket. I am going to build up these old French hubs with wing nuts and take off the narrow Campy wheelset.

As you can see, I am not in strict restoration mode, but rather preservation, and functionality mode. I could part with the crankset. The cotter pins came out without heating like it was assembled a year ago. I can include the pedals if you like, but they need some work. They are, of course, French threaded. There are still some very nice NOS pedals around a lot cheaper than I have seen on ebay. Hey Randyjawa, would love to see that whole green Jeunet!

My 620: