This was part of my last deal...repaint, I THINK it's a Motobecane grand record. Simplex drops, strong light headset. The rack is beautiful - it looks like a VO, but I suspect it's much older.

Man, that is one funky and unique BB cable guide. I'm going to guess a 60's Gitane of some sort. Mostly based on the shape of the seat stay caps.
But I don't know. And that is a nice rack. Stainless steel?

It is sloppy enough to be a gitane...the fork crown made me think moto, as well as the eyelets.

dunno, I'm more inclined to think "Peugeot", but it's all a little odd: the stay caps, what look like Nervex DuBois lugs and Simplex DOs don't correspond to any of the main (USA) models from either Moto or Gitane.

Hard to tell. Could very well be a Moto, based on the rear dropouts, headset lugs and fork crown, but could also be another French bike. Boy, can't say I have every seen an bb front derailleur cable guide like that one.

The rack is steel (magnet test). I'm inclined to agree that it's too sloppy for motobecane. It's an odd ball...very French (not a compliment). He has a shim in the seatpost and the collar isn't a standard size - I haven't been able to turn it. It's not 7 or 6 mm.

The former owner worked for shops, and he set this up for himself.

try a non-metric Allen key (SAE).
Hope the seat tube isn't mangled, I would be inclined to think it's some sort of metric 531 tubing, might take a 26.4 or 26.6 seatpost if it's DB 531, but could be plain gauge or a Vitus steel tube...looks like FUN!

The campy post is 25.8 and requires a shim, so it's not straight gauge. The weight makes me think butted at least in main tubes. 27 inch wheels. I love the rack -I might keep that.

I would guess late 60's Moto that has been heavily rebuilt Gitanes of this level from that era had strait guage 531 tubing and fancier usually Nervesx lugs. Yet it does have all the charecterics of of a nicer late 60's french bike as for the cable routing the add on under the bracket clamp on cable hanger doesn't tell much it could have been added later or original but doesn't do much to I'd the bike. I have a couple of these in my parts bin they are actually pretty generic.

Will try SAE...I wouldn't think the French would use that.

Anyone know the rack? I think it's what VO based their design on.

Well maybe it is a Gitane it seems a real good matche for a 1970 Gran Tourisme which I came across online.

That looks similar, especially the rack and seat stay caps. It's sloppy enough to be a Gitane.

^don't think so: the '70 Gran Tourisme came with "all Campy" drivetrain (including monstrous GT rear derailleur) and specs list Campy forkends, so I'd bet that means Campy DOs, too....also specs Prugnat lugs and this bike sure looks to have duBois.
https://www.gitaneusa.com/images/catalog/1970_pg11.jpg
Also don't seem to use the type of cable/housing stop braze-on that this unknown frame has on the chainstay.

Since we can't agree that it's a Gitane/Moto/Peugeot, it must be a Rene Herse! I will market it as such on eBay. I hope Greg has some Herse decals!

I have this up on my local CL, and was emailed by someone claiming it's a "la grande" bicycle. That's a new one to me, and I don't see anything about a la grande brand with a basic search. Anyone have any insight? The responder said it's unusual and very high end. The build quality doesn't scream that to me - it looks like standard Peugeot/Gitane level.

26.4 post.

La' Grande was on of the dozens of importer brands that sold bikes from various French makers in the 60's and 70's. Of the ones I have seen they where typical lower mid level French and no two where alike or seemed to be from the same maker. So I quess your back to pretty much where you started on search mid level French most likely made by Gitane or Moto.

Part of the problem with Id'ing bikes like this is they where often delibrately made with no destinquishing markings or characteristics so various importers could put whatever label decals they wanted on the bike and sell it under there brand.

Thanks Zukhan - that seems consistent with what I'm seeing. I don't think it's mid-level in terms of the tubing/model - everything is saying higher end French production to me.

Well the 26.4 seatpost and level of lug work on your bike would be consitant with a mid 60's 531 tube set which. I would classify as basically high end.

How about a real long shot. But please don't shoot me if I'm wrong. Paris Sport?