Attention Francophiles
I was looking at craigslist recently and saw this bike listed , semi disassembled and needing a chain.
I was intrigued. Never heard of the marque, Cote D Azure. Definitely French with what looked like a TA crank and a leather saddle, offered at $65.
The bike was 50 miles away though and I had my hands full with a couple other projects. I responded to the add and offered $50 if there was any way they could drliver it at least half way. I Emailed some pictures of past resto projects and told them I would love to get my hands on the bike.
Over the next few weeks we corresponded and the owner found someone coming down my way and agreed to drop it off at my house .
Today it finally arrived. This is definitely an interesting machine. It looks like it early 70’s or older. Except for the Hurret front der and levers most of the equipment is new to me.
Here is the bike and its equipment
Frame has no decals on it other than Cote d Azure painted on the down tube and the head badge.
The paint is actually pretty good and should clean up nicely.
Cranks Solida cottered steel
Pedals Lyotard
Front der and levers Hurret
Rear der Schwinn
Wheels Patterned steel Rigida rims and Normandy large flange hubs
Brakes side pull Lam – B te 700 sport
Levers There is a logo cast in the side that looks like a circle with C B inset in it.
Stem APM one side, Bell on the other
Saddle ADGA 28 A leather saddle
The head badge reads
Cycles
Cote D’ Azure
Made in France
Now for the real interesting bit
Weighed on my hanging scale as found it weighs 26.75 lbs. with steel wheels and steel cottered crank. I can't wait to weigh the frame. I thought my scale might be off so I weighed it twice with the same result. Hard to believe it is that light.
O/k Has anyone ever seen this mfg before. Inquiring minds want to know!!!!!
