Unexpected new winter project showed up! Belgian delight!
09-21-14, 08:05 PM
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Unexpected new winter project showed up! Leon Cattrysse, Belgian delight!
During my usual Sunday morning scanning of Craigslist I came across this unusual Belgian bike. Pre 1970s European bikes just don't show up too often.
I really don't NEED another bike, but these lugs got my attention. What happened next? You know the sequence of events following the email to the seller...
Now I'm on the hunt for information. I know that it's from a bike shop on the coast of Belgium, but I have not been able to find one single image of a Leon Cattrysse, let alone a catalog. It's at least from 1959 or 1960 (because of the registration plate) but could be earlier.
Are these Nervex lugs?
More pictures to come...
I really don't NEED another bike, but these lugs got my attention. What happened next? You know the sequence of events following the email to the seller...
Now I'm on the hunt for information. I know that it's from a bike shop on the coast of Belgium, but I have not been able to find one single image of a Leon Cattrysse, let alone a catalog. It's at least from 1959 or 1960 (because of the registration plate) but could be earlier.
Are these Nervex lugs?
More pictures to come...
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Last edited by b dub; 09-22-14 at 07:49 AM.
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09-21-14, 10:06 PM
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License plate
Oil port
Fenders
Missing chain guard, who knows what the original looked like.
Fixed / integrated rack
One piece handle bars / stem
Under the down tube are three small braze on loops, probably for a wire for the rear light.
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Last edited by b dub; 09-22-14 at 07:53 AM.
09-21-14, 10:38 PM
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I'm going to take my time for a full resto. I have literately not done a thing to the bike yet. I'm expecting lots of surprises while tearing it all down. I did notice that the left crank arm is loose which confused me. I wonder if the bottom bracket spindle is broken which sounds crazy.
Tire size: 28 x 1 1/4 which might be difficult to find.
The seller didn't know much about its history and how it ended up on this side of the pond. I'm going to contact the shop, perhaps they have more information.
Tire size: 28 x 1 1/4 which might be difficult to find.
The seller didn't know much about its history and how it ended up on this side of the pond. I'm going to contact the shop, perhaps they have more information.
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09-21-14, 11:16 PM
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haha- Nice score and glad someone with appreciation got it. Another BF member tipped me to it. I tried numerous times in the CL email contact goofy thingamajing but never heard back from the seller. I don't know if replies emails get through anymore, so if the seller doesn't have a phone listed, its a crapshoot.
Anyhow, looks like a super fun project. Perhaps for a chain guard, go for a vintage Simplex. There was one recently on fleabay for $30ish. Are the tires 28 inch as in 700c? Or maybe they're the same as used on the Raleigh Tourist.
Anyhow, looks like a super fun project. Perhaps for a chain guard, go for a vintage Simplex. There was one recently on fleabay for $30ish. Are the tires 28 inch as in 700c? Or maybe they're the same as used on the Raleigh Tourist.
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09-22-14, 05:45 AM
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Very nice. Lots of beautifully done features. It's going to clean up splendidly. Aluminum rims? I'm pretty sure you'll find 700c tires fit just fine.
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09-22-14, 06:50 AM
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Very nice. Unusual, at least for the US. When I was in France in 1981, I saw a lot of these single speed bikes in the countryside. I love the color of this bike. Yes, I believe those are Nervex lugs. Some people like them, some don't. Some thing they were overused for many years, but I still like them, no matter what.
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09-22-14, 09:24 AM
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That lugwork caught my attention, as well. We shall expect a full report as the restoration progresses. 
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09-22-14, 10:29 AM
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Great find! Send us progressive photo's as you restore your gem!
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09-22-14, 11:33 AM
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Neat hand pinstriping, too! For some reason, it looks as if the chain guard was removed recently. Perhaps the seller has it lying around his workshop. Kinda fun to note that someone at the factory in Belgium, over 50 years ago, placed the headtube decal on crooked, and it's annoyed perfectionists on two continents ever since.
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09-22-14, 12:00 PM
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Great find. I think if I ever found something worthy of a full resto like that I would be too impatient.
09-22-14, 01:39 PM
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Nice one, b! Looking forward to the results. If you post it the Belgian Bikes thread you might get some more feedback from our Belgian members.
09-22-14, 05:37 PM
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Done! Thanks non-fixie for the suggestion.
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09-22-14, 09:08 PM
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Spent an hour tonight on the bike, I can't help myself. I was pleased to find out that the seat post came loose no problem. The stem hasn't budged yet.
Both the rims and fenders are alu.
I took a look at the bottom bracket up close:
- Serial number: V483
- Do you know what these bolts are for? Is it actually holding together the bottom bracket shell?
Another question: pedaling backwards makes the wheel spin. Does this mean that the coaster brake is broken or is it a freewheel problem?
Both the rims and fenders are alu.
I took a look at the bottom bracket up close:
- Serial number: V483
- Do you know what these bolts are for? Is it actually holding together the bottom bracket shell?
Another question: pedaling backwards makes the wheel spin. Does this mean that the coaster brake is broken or is it a freewheel problem?
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Last edited by b dub; 09-24-14 at 10:34 PM.
09-24-14, 10:31 PM
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Unexpected new winter project showed up! Belgian delight!
Quick update: I attempted to remove the cotters, wasn't hard at all. I have to admit I used a cotter press but still.
Perhaps the fact that I first loosened the two pins under the bottom bracket helped take off the pressure off the entire assembly which made it all easier.
The removed spindle gave me another surprise:
I'll take more pictures over the upcoming weekend.
Perhaps the fact that I first loosened the two pins under the bottom bracket helped take off the pressure off the entire assembly which made it all easier.
The removed spindle gave me another surprise:
I'll take more pictures over the upcoming weekend.
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Last edited by b dub; 09-28-14 at 05:47 PM.
09-28-14, 07:45 PM
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Update:
1. While I don't see any weak spots due to rust the finish is littered with service rust. The top tube, rack and chain stay in particular are worse than I thought at first. Aluminum foil and WD-40 are not doing it! A complete repaint is not an option for me, so not sure what to do yet.
2. I've tried to clean up the cream colored area around the head badge but nothing is coming off.
3. There are six small eyelet braze ons along the bottom of the frame, three below the down tube and three below the left chain stay. Am I right that this is for a wire for rear lights? I would love to see a picture of a bike with a similar setup.
4. Last but not least, there was one more unexpected surprise. Now I know why the rear wheel was set crooked. The right dropout is totally bent.
I have to say I'm a bit discouraged.
1. While I don't see any weak spots due to rust the finish is littered with service rust. The top tube, rack and chain stay in particular are worse than I thought at first. Aluminum foil and WD-40 are not doing it! A complete repaint is not an option for me, so not sure what to do yet.
2. I've tried to clean up the cream colored area around the head badge but nothing is coming off.
3. There are six small eyelet braze ons along the bottom of the frame, three below the down tube and three below the left chain stay. Am I right that this is for a wire for rear lights? I would love to see a picture of a bike with a similar setup.
4. Last but not least, there was one more unexpected surprise. Now I know why the rear wheel was set crooked. The right dropout is totally bent.
I have to say I'm a bit discouraged.
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Last edited by b dub; 10-02-14 at 09:58 PM.
09-28-14, 08:03 PM
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You are welcome to the oxalic acid tub I have going at present, b dub! Current occupant should be vacating it by the end of day Tuesday. I can't guarantee it but suspect your frame would fit. If not, might be possible to expand it a bit.
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09-28-14, 08:19 PM
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Hi Al, that is so nice of you to offer. Let me send you a PM.
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09-28-14, 10:46 PM
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thanks very much for this update b dub; i'm enjoying this thread! 
wrt the frame's finish: was wondering if a clear coat might be an option, just an idea.
did you find any markings on the crankarms or chainwheel?
can anyone tell us what the GW logo on the mudguard stands for? i'm thinking non-fixie will know!
wrt the frame's finish: was wondering if a clear coat might be an option, just an idea.
did you find any markings on the crankarms or chainwheel?
can anyone tell us what the GW logo on the mudguard stands for? i'm thinking non-fixie will know!
09-29-14, 06:06 AM
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09-29-14, 06:26 AM
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Fietshuis Cattrysse aan de kust - De Haan
09-29-14, 07:03 AM
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Unexpected new winter project showed up! Belgian delight!
Besides the bottom bracket spindle I did not find any other markings.
The right rear drop out does have a second serial number:
I emailed the grand son at the bike shop about a week ago but haven't received a reply.
The right rear drop out does have a second serial number:
I emailed the grand son at the bike shop about a week ago but haven't received a reply.
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09-29-14, 07:07 AM
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Straightening the dropout will be easy enough.
You can clean the rust off with oxalic acid. Then if you don't want to invest any more, just keep the frame oiled.
You can clean the rust off with oxalic acid. Then if you don't want to invest any more, just keep the frame oiled.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
09-29-14, 07:32 AM
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I wouldn't be discouraged at all with that. That is some nice and very worthy patina. Straighten out the dropout and clean the frame up the best you can. I think it will be a beautiful bike. And have fun with it.
09-29-14, 07:50 AM
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Unexpected new winter project showed up! Belgian delight!
Thanks for your encouraging words. How would you approach fixing the dropout?
And the reason why I said a repaint is not an option is because I want to preserve all the hand painting. Thanks to Chicago Al this baby is going to take a bath!
And the reason why I said a repaint is not an option is because I want to preserve all the hand painting. Thanks to Chicago Al this baby is going to take a bath!
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