At last - a yellow one!
 

I don't acquire bikes based solely on color, but it seems like it of late. The orange Colner looks great next to the mint green Peugeot (and I've been trying for pink for a while now) -- then I came across this yellow, miscategorized, one late one night last week. It charmed me instantly, but there were several factors that kept me from getting too excited.

I saw that the auction would end while I was asleep, and there were no bids yet. I placed a low, conservative bid, and went to sleep -- a little excited, a tiny bit proud of myself for bidding just barely higher than the opening price, but prepared to wake up to either outcome. In fact, I woke up to find I had lost by a single dollar. Oh well.

Then this morning, I got a second chance offer and snapped it right up. Let's just say that if the seatpost isn't stuck, this will have been my best bike deal yet. If nothing else it will provide a learning experience: first time with centerpulls and cottered cranks...

It won't be here for at least another week, I imagine, but in the meantime: I guess we can turn the seller's pics into a guessing game. :) Congrats to rootboy - it's a Bertin.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...guessing-2.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...guessing-1.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...guessing-3.jpg

Gitane?

Stella?

Jeunet?

No to all 3. Right continent, obviously ;)

Motobecane? That M shaped fork crown is what prompted the guess.

Frejus?

^Nope. Here's a weird hint: 90% sure the colors on seatstay caps and fork crown do not indicate country of production for this bike.

That saddle looks downright dangerous...but how about Louison Bobet or whatever the heck his name was.

Not sure if you noticed but your missing sections on the downtube and seatpost tube!

I'm pretty sure they exist, just too improper to show at this juncture :o

Not a Bobet, though that guess is, in a way, closer.

Atala? I seem to remember one in that color back in the bike boom days. They had chrome front and rear socks.

Yeah, just a joke since I have no ideal what bike that is.

Or maybe Fontan?

Last 2 guesses are Mercier, but I don't remember them in yellow, or maybe Anquetil. But I don't remember them with chrome rear socks.

I suppose the marque is a little obscure, but not too obscure. I had heard of it. I'm sure you guys have heard of it.

Hint 2: What if I tell you that the headbadge depicts a flying animal.

Bertin.

Ahoy!

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Berti...oTg~~60_57.JPG

I like the color very much...looking forward to unveiling.

Cool. Flying animal? Wot kind of flying animal?

Austro-Daimler?

Looks like an eagle to me.

Negative. See above :)

Animal. I was picturing either a unicorn or a French Flying Monkey.

My hint about it probably not being built in France was because the seller's description says it was built in Belgium under license, not necessarily by Andre himself.


"a rather unusual Belgian built Bertin. Andre Bertin had a cousin in Belgium who produced bikes under license. They differed in tubing, paint (often powder coat) chrome and equipment as well as having distinctive decals. This version looks to be an upper entry level bike from the 70s with what appears to be half-chroming on the forks and stays. The derailleur appears to be a Huret Svelto. The cottered crank argues for a lower price point but the bike does have HF, QR hubs which sets it above the basic entry level bike. This bike is in very good condition, everything works on it.The seat is torn on one side as shown in one of the pictures, and the bike has some scuffs and scratches. Slightly cleaned and it will need a better cleaning."