Show your French bikes!
#3376
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Based on the Motobecane script on the down tube and the red lugs/black head tube I would say your GR is a '72, not a '74. Does your RD have a patent date on it?
I have an identical GR from '72 but it is a 52cm frame. I have a 110mm Phillipe stem and a 42 cm handlebar on it. It fits my 5'8" body better. These are very comfortable bikes.
I have an identical GR from '72 but it is a 52cm frame. I have a 110mm Phillipe stem and a 42 cm handlebar on it. It fits my 5'8" body better. These are very comfortable bikes.
#3377
Full Member
'72 is reynolds 531 main frame only. This had a reynolds stickers on the forks when I bought it but the sticker on the main triangle was gone. So maybe a '73? The RD does say '72 so perhaps a '72 that came near the end of the model year and Motobecane shifted to Reynolds 531 forks?
Mine has remnants of the Reynolds sticker on the fork but the frame sticker is 99% gone. The RD which i think is original, has a patent date of '72 on it. Your guess that it may be a late '72 could be accurate. Motobecane was famous for not documenting production changes and using whatever parts they had at the time to use up inventory.
#3378
Senior Member
Gitane Hosteller
Been giving this scratched, dented, and rusted up old beast some more years to it's life. Just went through all the bearings and did a lot of cleaning of grime. Really interesting ride... definitely feels like a low end bike boom road bike! Even after deciding to splurge on nice tires, there's no hiding that unrefined feeling. But that being said, it also felt pretty stable once you're up to speed. And while it's no vibranium in terms of dampening, the buzz and flex of this frame stays consistent enough for you to stay confident and pointed the right way.
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#3379
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Been giving this scratched, dented, and rusted up old beast some more years to it's life. Just went through all the bearings and did a lot of cleaning of grime. Really interesting ride... definitely feels like a low end bike boom road bike! Even after deciding to splurge on nice tires, there's no hiding that unrefined feeling. But that being said, it also felt pretty stable once you're up to speed. And while it's no vibranium in terms of dampening, the buzz and flex of this frame stays consistent enough for you to stay confident and pointed the right way.
#3380
Junior Member
Hi, just noticed this thread. I’m a newbie so can’t post any pics yet but I have what I believe to be a Peugeot PA-10 frame, late ‘60s. Looks similar to a PX-10, white with lovely Nervex lugs in black, but has stamped dropouts and no RD hanger. I’ve been gathering parts to build it up as a resto-mod - some new parts, some period(ish) to retain its original character but with modern braking and shifting, although not brifters I hasten to add. Anyone else have a PA-10 of similar vintage?
#3381
Junior Member
BACO frame with a Cycles Yvars headbadge. Labeled as 531 tubing but weighs in at 5.5lbs for a 58cm frame and fork (which in my experience is pretty light). For as many frames as BACO built there isn't too much information about them.
#3382
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1976(?) Follis 472.
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#3383
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Been giving this scratched, dented, and rusted up old beast some more years to it's life. Just went through all the bearings and did a lot of cleaning of grime. Really interesting ride... definitely feels like a low end bike boom road bike! Even after deciding to splurge on nice tires, there's no hiding that unrefined feeling. But that being said, it also felt pretty stable once you're up to speed. And while it's no vibranium in terms of dampening, the buzz and flex of this frame stays consistent enough for you to stay confident and pointed the right way.
#3384
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Motobecane Grand Sprint
Just off to have a look at this 1980 Grand Sprint being offered for sale:
Looks to be all original although will wait and see how bad the rust is.
Thoughts welcome....
Looks to be all original although will wait and see how bad the rust is.
Thoughts welcome....
#3385
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This frame has been hanging in my basement for a couple of years. I was going to refinish it, but it is not my optimal size, so I am looking for something smaller. Decided to build it to try it on for size. Took a spin around the block and find it actually fits me pretty well. First time on a fixed in a while, so it was kind of interesting. Wheels are the Campagnolo hubs that came with the bike laced to NOS Super Champion Arc en Ciel rims and built for me by Earle Young. Looking for a Tevano track crankset, just to be different. More photos later.
Lejeune piste 2 by L Travers, on Flickr
Lejeune piste 2 by L Travers, on Flickr
#3386
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My Meral....a French Campagnolo bike...That is Campagnolo equipped with a few French parts that they always would sneak in for various reasons. This a really nice-riding bike. I love the French bikes from the early 80s when they started building in an Italian style, but still retained a very French personality....
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#3387
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I just got my 1980 Grand Sprint back from powder coat and it looks great. I will be building it up in the next couple of weeks. I will post pictures when it is complete. They look to be reasonably well made and light. There is a member on here that has a blue one with some Campagnolo components and loves the bike. I got mine a couple of years ago for $20 without wheels , otherwise complete but a little surface rust on a fiery orange paint job which the powder painter matched. Good Luck! Joe
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#3388
If I own it, I ride it
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I have noticed that on most Lejeune track frames. They seem to have road bike geometry. Not sure if economics were involved or what. Frame has remains of 531 on fork and seat tube, so it was not lower end. It would seem to be a Carré built frame and I get a kick out of the crudeness on the ends. It's just a tool, not a work of art. Got my headset issue resolved by ditching the caged bearings on the top.
#3389
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; - (
I have a super-rare 1980s French Bike, but cannot post the pic until I have 10 posts. I don't want to say too much about it until I can post the pics. So I feel pretty worthless right now, more like an FNG than a newbie.
#3390
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I just got my 1980 Grand Sprint back from powder coat and it looks great. I will be building it up in the next couple of weeks. I will post pictures when it is complete. They look to be reasonably well made and light. There is a member on here that has a blue one with some Campagnolo components and loves the bike. I got mine a couple of years ago for $20 without wheels , otherwise complete but a little surface rust on a fiery orange paint job which the powder painter matched. Good Luck! Joe
Good luck with yours @Kabuki12 and @MarkinOz.
#3391
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That'd be me with the blue GS. Mine's a 23" and weighs right around 23.5 pounds. It originally came with 27" wheels and Shimano Altus changers. I have swapped in 700c wheels, the current set using Campy Record hubs and Wolber GTX rims, and had plenty of adjustment at the brake calipers. The stock Weinmann sidepulls can be greatly helped by using modern Shimano Ultegra brake pads and good cables with lined housing. I also run Campy NR derailleurs and shifters. To me the bike was totally worth the changes I've made. It rides beautifully. Also helps that it fits me really well.
Good luck with yours @Kabuki12 and @MarkinOz.
Good luck with yours @Kabuki12 and @MarkinOz.
#3392
Junior Member
This bike in the photo is a Profil. It is the Time Trial bike the team used till the Delta.
As far as the Pro/Replica the cable begins to be routed from under the tube in 86. This shows up in the 1987 catalogs. By the 87 Tour the team is riding the white black and yellow Gitanes that appear in the 88 catalog as Replicas.
Last edited by con50582; 03-26-21 at 05:34 AM.
#3393
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This bike in the photo is a Profil. It is the Time Trial bike the team used till the Delta.
As far as the Pro/Replica the cable begins to be routed from under the tube in 86. This shows up in the 1987 catalogs. By the 87 Tour the team is riding the white black and yellow Gitanes that appear in the 88 catalog as Replicas.
As far as the Pro/Replica the cable begins to be routed from under the tube in 86. This shows up in the 1987 catalogs. By the 87 Tour the team is riding the white black and yellow Gitanes that appear in the 88 catalog as Replicas.
Also, will need T-Mar to weigh in on location of this photo of Laurent and confirm 87 date (its dated as 87) ... bike is clearly still blue but what race?
Last edited by Markeologist; 03-26-21 at 10:20 AM.
#3394
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I have noticed that on most Lejeune track frames. They seem to have road bike geometry. Not sure if economics were involved or what. Frame has remains of 531 on fork and seat tube, so it was not lower end. It would seem to be a Carré built frame and I get a kick out of the crudeness on the ends. It's just a tool, not a work of art. Got my headset issue resolved by ditching the caged bearings on the top.
Took his own life at 27, could not bring myself to ask the family later.
Angel dust is Bad. Was very sad to see him at one point, the lights were on, but nobody was home.
#3395
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Never saw a steering set up like that. Does it have a slot in the head tube?
* https://www.gitaneusa.com/models_6.asp
* https://www.gitaneusa.com/models_6.asp
Last edited by curbtender; 03-29-21 at 10:01 AM.
#3396
Junior Member
Good call on the Profil...I don't see the aero head or down tubes but makes sense given Bernard there is at start of a time trial. In my posts on routing, I'm clear about "production" bikes. Where do you see the bottom routing in 86? Not a challenge, I love getting new data.
Also, will need T-Mar to weigh in on location of this photo of Laurent and confirm 87 date (its dated as 87) ... bike is clearly still blue but what race?
Also, will need T-Mar to weigh in on location of this photo of Laurent and confirm 87 date (its dated as 87) ... bike is clearly still blue but what race?
April 1986 Fleche Wallone. Cable routed under.
The team bikes went under in 1985.
Photo credit on the photo.
Pretty sure this red Gitane was special made for a tennis player in 86.
Last edited by con50582; 03-26-21 at 12:19 PM.
#3397
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[QUOTE=con50582;21986178]87 Tour de France.
Above you indicate that Systeme U was riding white bikes in 87 TdF but then your date for this photo indicates they were on blue bikes?? Were the time trial bikes left in blue while the standard stage bikes were in white?
Above you indicate that Systeme U was riding white bikes in 87 TdF but then your date for this photo indicates they were on blue bikes?? Were the time trial bikes left in blue while the standard stage bikes were in white?
#3398
Junior Member
Yes. The TT bikes were the old paint scheme. The road bikes were the new white.
Mottet same stage 10 TT.
When Fignon went over the rail.
Mottet with Roche.
Paris Nice March1987
Mottet same stage 10 TT.
When Fignon went over the rail.
Mottet with Roche.
Paris Nice March1987
Last edited by con50582; 03-26-21 at 05:18 PM.
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#3399
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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You want French? I've posted this before but it has been a while. From this morning's ride:
A PF10. The frame was sold to me as a PFN10. Since it no longer has clincher tires the N designation is no longer valid. The equipment is original type except that the original chainrings probably were not black.
A PF10. The frame was sold to me as a PFN10. Since it no longer has clincher tires the N designation is no longer valid. The equipment is original type except that the original chainrings probably were not black.
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#3400
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Not many decals in this sellers 2 photos but Reynolds 531 with fastback seatstays. Closest match I could find was from the 1989 French Brochure with either a Galbier or a Savoie model?? Can anyone help out on an id??