1973 Gitane TDF
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72+76 Super Course, 74 P-10+ 79 Tandem Paramounts, 84 Raleigh Alyeska, 84 Voyageur SP, 85 Miyata Sport 10 mixte and a queue
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Well, it's certainly possible that an original hanger was sawed off. But many TdFs also came with plain dropouts (that is, no integral hanger) and a claw. If the OP removes claw that's on there now and take a photo of the bare dropout, we might be able to tell whether it's been modified or not--in the photos that have been posted so far, the claw is in the way, making it impossible to tell.
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#29
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Nice find, and replacing handlebar/stem/levers shouldn't be a problem. FWIW, Simplex did make a forged rear dropout that did not have a derailleur hanger--I have one like that on a Jeunet, that came with a Simplex derailleur, and I switched to a Huret. So while yes that one was probably cut down, you can still feel authentic. NICE saddle, aren't those quite expensive all by themselves? I have a similar Gitane from a different model year--the one with the honeycomb huret dropouts--but it is otherwise very similar (fishmouth treatment at dropouts) and rides very nice....
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72+76 Super Course, 74 P-10+ 79 Tandem Paramounts, 84 Raleigh Alyeska, 84 Voyageur SP, 85 Miyata Sport 10 mixte and a queue
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#32
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Yeah, it sort of looks like it was sawn. Hard to tell, though--a photo without the hanger in the way would probably provide a definite answer
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Well, the crudely pinched-off ends of the seat stays where they're brazed to the seat lug are a little bit of a kludge, too, especially compared the the nice willow-leaf caps on the earlier models. But that's part of their charm, I guess. As everyone else has noted, they sure ride nicely.
Last edited by Markeologist; 03-03-21 at 10:57 AM. Reason: typo
#34
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Well, it's certainly possible that an original hanger was sawed off. But many TdFs also came with plain dropouts (that is, no integral hanger) and a claw. If the OP removes claw that's on there now and take a photo of the bare dropout, we might be able to tell whether it's been modified or not--in the photos that have been posted so far, the claw is in the way, making it impossible to tell.
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I always find myself passing on the Gitanes with the swagged seat stay ends, nothing functionally wrong wit them but when compared with the much more elegant seat stay caps seen previously, whether they are the earlier fitted cap (seemingly always tri-color) or the Carre-style willow leaf that followed, the sagging just looks expedient and cheap.
Whose face is that on the seat tube on those first two images? I don't think I've ever seen that on a Gitane.
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It was expedient and cheap. That was the point. For sure, the capped seat stays are beautiful. I had to buy a Lejeune frame last year because it had those caps (and because it was my size and a great frame in all other respects).
Whose face is that on the seat tube on those first two images? I don't think I've ever seen that on a Gitane.
Whose face is that on the seat tube on those first two images? I don't think I've ever seen that on a Gitane.
Last edited by Markeologist; 03-03-21 at 12:55 PM. Reason: typo
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...there is also an earlier style of swagged seat stay finish seen on Gitanes and Geminianis (both MICMO brands prior to 1966) where the metal flap after swag was cut was crimped and a diamond-shaped finish was created that emulated the higher end fitted cap pretty well. I've seen them in tri-color as well as with a pin-stripe design. They are a bit better looking than the later swagged finish where the remaining metal flap after swag was cut was simply folder over and brazed shut.
Last edited by Markeologist; 03-03-21 at 12:50 PM. Reason: typo
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There has been a large Gitane on local CL.......
Maybe time......but quite a distance for me.
Maybe time......but quite a distance for me.
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...there is also an earlier style of swagged seat stay finish seen on Gitanes and Geminianis (both MICMO brands prior to 1966) where the metal flap after swag was cut was crimped and a diamond-shaped finish was created that emulated the higher end fitted cap pretty well. I've seen then in tri-color as well as with a pin-stripe design. They are a bit better looking than the later swagged finish where the remaining metal flap after swag was cut was simply folder over and brazed shut.
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I think you should experiment and share your results with the OP! I like juvela 's idea to use nail polish as the color glaze...
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#42
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I have a bottle of that “Sulfur Blaze” nail polish on order and will give it a try once it arrives. Decals from Greg Softley will follow that up.
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I had nearly convinced myself it was just my imagination playing tricks on me. I didn't make a resolution like @orcas island but I had been planning to stick to sprucing up the bikes I have this year and not buy any new ones. Tthen today I bought a Gitane (the one from the "Are you looking for one of these?" thread -- that thread is dangerous). The one I got isn't as classic or vintage as the TdF in this thread, but I'm excited about it, so I thought it just my current obsession making it seem like Gitanes were coming out of the woodwork.
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#45
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I know a guy who could fix that.
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Ok, cough it up! https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ds-thread.html
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#50
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A major “thank you” to forum member Obrentharris for providing me with an entire French cockpit to replace the one that was missing from this Gitane
Pivo stem, unmarked (but French) bars and a very nice set of Mafac brake levers and half- hoods. Everything that had been removed by a previous owner was provided by Brent from his parts stash.
Very kind, and very generous! Saved me a ton of work trying to track those bits down. Thanks again Brent!
Pivo stem, unmarked (but French) bars and a very nice set of Mafac brake levers and half- hoods. Everything that had been removed by a previous owner was provided by Brent from his parts stash.
Very kind, and very generous! Saved me a ton of work trying to track those bits down. Thanks again Brent!
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