Woke up early Sunday morning and contacted a CL lister about this Gitane Hosteller. Its all there except wheels. Has MAFAC Dural Forge brakes ans a sweet Stronglight crankset. I figured what the heck, great little project and maybe I can sell it when I get it rehabbed.

I stripped the parts and sanded the frame. Chrome fork and stays cleaned up beautifully. Taking the bike to the LBS to get the cranks removed. Then its a paint job and rebuild.
The Pics

Cool bike looks like a 63/64 model I had one not to long ago that I rebuilt.
Before


After


This was one of my first attempts at vintage rebuild I admit I made a lot of mistakes by not leaving it more original the kit of the Campy hibs with doorknocker skewers laced to lightwiegt chrome rims and the crank set was stuff I didn't full apprieciate ate the time.

I really like the cool rack on these made to match the nice 531 Nervex lugged frames. To bad that is missing the nice early alloy fenders that came on these and all the other kit. Heres a link to the specs for this bike as it was sold in the US.

https://www.gitaneusa.com/images/cata...64/Page_02.jpg

That is an amazing bike. I hope you paint it the original color and details. It's a rare machine.

I saw that CL ad--glad you jumped on it. It is right up your alley!

+1 These are amazing bikes and very rare it is a great find when you get one that has a lot or even any of the original components. At under 30lbs with all the kit rack, fenders, light, pump and chrome they where something execptional for there time. Modernized quit a bit with nice alloys the one I had wieghed in at a fairly legit 23/24lbs which is amazing for a early 60's Radrunner light touring bike.

Thanks for the link zukahn. And nice bike too!

Frank - original color was a metallic chartreuse similiar to what Raleigh Internationals were painted in the early 70's. i'm going to do something similiar but cant pull off the metallic. So chartreuse with red lug lining. Also going overpaint the original Gitane decals.

So far rust has been the big issue. Had to use the PB Blaster to unstick the stem and the seatpost along with all the clamps and brake bolts. Snapped the original Simplex front derailleur. Got the cranks removed at the bike shop with the help of an awesome VAR cotterpin press.

Also picked up a tidbit of info at the bikeshop. The Nervex lugs and BB are forged steel, as apposed to stamped or cast.

Once I get it all prepped i will post another pic.

Maybe this is a little thing but if you have it repainted flip it over before and realy take a look at the detail and how well done the Nervex lug numbers are done and even the Gitane serial number just below the bottom tube on the BB are done. It's a french bike and the numbers should be clear and make sense.

It spoke to me Alan, I couldn't resist.

Just picked up a donor bike, an old Motobecane, with nice wheels and Lyotard pedals.
Pulled the BB last night and continued sanding and detailing the frame. Should be ready for paint shortly!

I wonder how they got that information. I worked in my family's forging shop many years ago. The forging process doesn't seem suitable for lugs and BB shells.

Apparently the metal is forged then bent and formed into lugs and BB shell. I think its only Nervex lugs prior to the 70's. Anyway bike shop owner was impressed with the lugs and explained the forging process. I found it interesting.

Big, Grand Bois is correct. "Forged" is not the process used. I think Nervex are pressed but they could be cast. One of these guys will have a film of the process. They have pictures of everything.

Some old bikes have the lug sleeve shape pressed into the frame tube. I have seen several.

Refered to as a forged lug set here. I'm not a metal guy but me bike shop owner knows his stuff.
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedi...-set-242559038

UPDATE:
Here's where the Hosteller stands. I have a day off today so am hoping to make some progress on painting.
I primed the bike yesterday and started detailing the decals by overpainting.

hello big chainring,

thanks for posting this interesting bicycle. i have one also. it is a pale/antique gold colour and it's componentry is about like yours. someone oversprayed with blue spraycan paint which i have not tried to remove so it is great to see yours with all of its transfers.

when i took mine in about twenty years ago i researched it a bit at that time and the best estimate i could make for it was that is was from 1963. the simplex prestige front derailleur is made of white delrin and the simplex prestige rear derailleur is of the generation with the amber/gold reflector nameplate on the parallelogram. it has the same rear rack as your example. chainset and brakes are the same as those on your bicycle.

have you found any tubing marks on the frame? is it seamless tubing?

thanks again for posting and best wishes with the restoration.

Juvela,
The main tubes are Reynolds 531 straight gauge tubing. I got it all painted, looks nice. Then other projects came up. I'm short a few parts to make it a complete bike.
Then a couple weeks ago I picked up another Hosteller, in my size. I have it all repainted. Just have to build it up. This one is a 70's model with Mafac Cantilever brakes and triple chainrings. I'll take pics of both tomorrow and post them here.

howdy big chainring,

thanks very much for the response. i look forward to seeing your second example. mine looks to be original, save for the poor repaint. it is minus wheels and mudguards. iirc it came from a dump or similar venue and i brought it home just so that some forty ton caterpillar wouldn't run over it. has been snoozing in the garage for twenty years, or more.

take your time and enjoy the project. remember, this is supposed to be a hobby. ;^D

post an update when opportunity permits. thanks again.

Wish I would have thought of the cotter pin press, beat on mine for 5 days. Got it out, but was pretty frustrating