gcage

Hello All,
I managed to pick up a bike for free at a local bike shop. I thought it looked like it might be worth cleaning up, but I don't know much about vintage bikes. Outside of the Jacques Anquetil stickers, there are no indications of manufacturer. There's also no serial number that I can see. The only bits of info are on the dropouts and head tube. On the non-drive side dropout, there's a 56, which I assume to be 56 cm size. On the top portion of the head tube, there's a 75. Would this be the year? Also on the head tube, there's a 58. No clue about that.

I've researched a bit and it appears that Jacques Anquetil licensed his name for a number of manufacturers. Some are marked on the frames, but this one is not. Any info you have would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance. I would post pictures, but apparently I have to post 10 times before I'm able to.

-Gary

Kilroy1988 

Hello and welcome to Bikeforums!

The 75 on the head tube lug indicates the angle of the lug for the sake of the framebuilder. The likelihood of the 56 referring to the size of the frame on the dropout is slim, and it is probably at least a part of a serial #.

You can add photos here after you make ten posts or you can post links to the photos hosted elsewhere or you can load them into a personal gallery found on the right-hand side of your user profile. Photos are the most helpful thing!

-Gregory

gcage

Thanks for the info. I'll post photos when I can. That makes perfect sense on the lug angles.

gcage

I added the photos to the personal album. Not sure if others can see them. It still won't let me post until I have 10 posts.

Kilroy1988 

Okay, here are the photos. I'm not familiar with Jacques Anquetil bikes but a few folks around here definitely are... The 56 is pretty conspicuous and on its own on the rear dropout so it might be a reference to the size as you suggested. That isn't a common practice, though.

The TA Specialites crankset is very nice, in particular, and the Mafac brakes are well-regarded for their performance compared to most of their contemporary counterparts.

-Gregory

gcage

Thank you for posting the photos!

The rear derailleur appears to be a Huret Luxe based on my Google skills.

gcage

The only other marking I found was the headset is branded stronglight.

1simplexnut

That looks like it will clean up ok ?
I have a very similar machine .
It has a serial on the dropout thats starts with JA .
Mine has a very faint '' made in England'' at the very bottom of the seat tube .
There was speculation at the time that it was a Ron Kitching product
I wonder about the origins of your machine ?
H LLoyd had some original old stock decals when I got my JA a few years ago if you decide to restore .
HAve fun with it !

juvela

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there is/was no Anquetil bicycle manufacturing co. per se

cycles were manufactured with his name as he was a famous and successful racer

one team he rode for was Helyett which was absorbed by MICMO, makers of Gitane & other brands

subject machine appears it could have been produced by this firm

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frame -

constructed with BOCAMA lug pattern 14/II

fork crown Vagner model PC

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date appears ~1966-1968

cycle's Huret model 700 front gear mech a helpful dating clue; its launch was 1966


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safety tip -

handlebar stem waaaaay dangerously high

please permit no one to attempt to ride cycle until stem is lowered

at least seven cm should be down inside steerer


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Kilroy1988 

juvela The photos all got linked above already.

juvela

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well gee, who would have noticed that?!?!


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Insidious C. 

Yes Stronglight P3 headset. TA crankset is nice. I had a very similar frame that I had deduced was a JA. The BCM head lugs on yours has a slightly different pattern. Expect the tubes are nominal metric size and possibly main tubes Reynolds DB 531 like mine. Also had 62 stamped on dropout which was approx frame size. The long, swaged and slightly wrapped seat stay tops are seen on some JA's and St. Etienne frames. Swaging also indicative of lesser steel in rear triangle. Some of the high end Anquetils were built by Carlton. I don't remember who else made Anquetil frames but it has been discussed here before. Enjoy your bike!

gcage

Thanks for the reply. I haven't seen any other markings, besides BCM on the lugs. I'll take a closer look after I finish disassembling. I did buy new decals.

gcage

"handlebar stem waaaaay dangerously high"

Yes, I quickly removed that!
thanks for the information

gcage

Thank you for the reply! I would have replied last night to all of the posts but I am limited to 5 posts per 24 hr period.

rustystrings61 

Bocama 14/II lugs usually indicate at least a mid-grade bike, like a Super Course or a 3-tubes-something frame. Stamped dropouts look like French Nervex units used by many manufacturers. Seat post diameter will reveal whether it’s some sort of gas pipe or something nicer - I suspect the latter, given a real Stronglight P3 headset and T.A. crankset.

gcage

Thanks for the reply. It looks like the OD is 28mm. 26.2 ID. Thanks again

MiloFrance

Lug lining is labour intensive so that could be another indicator that it's a mid-range bike or better.

rustystrings61 

Also, cycling author/guru Eugene Sloane had pix of a Jacques Anquetil bike in the earlier edition of his Complete Book of Bicycling c.1970.

gcage

Good info. Thank you for the reply

gcage

Thanks. I just bought a copy!

juvela

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Don't miss the kitting on Eugene's Louison Bobet

there are a number of images of it in the tome as he frequently employs the machine to illustrate points covered in the text

IIRC it be one of the Mercier ones rather than one of the Stella ones; Bobet rode for both makers at points in his career


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gcage

I have the bike mostly stripped for cleaning and possibly painting of the frame. I haven't been able to remove the fixed cup on the frame and I'm not sure if it is counterclockwise or clockwise to remove. Anyone have any idea on how to determine?

Here are some picks of the bottom bracket pieces. Campagnolo BB hardware and I think TA for the fixed cup?

Thanks

juvela

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fixed cup metric/"french" thread

turn counterclockwise to remove

adjustable cup & spindle are Campag NR

adjustable cup is BSC thread and is wrong

should have a metric/"french" thread cup

once you get the fixed out a metric set of BB taps should be run through to chase the threads on the adjustable side

metric cups have a pitch diameter of 35.0mm while BSC cups have a pitch diameter of 34.85mm so it is possible to start a BSC cup in a metric shell but threads will begin to bind after two turns or so

chasing them with a tap will clear things up

since you only need to chase rather than cut new threads you can create a homemade chaser with an existing bottom bracket cup by using a grinder to put some cutters into it as described and shown here -

5


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repechage

I have to find my copy, the images I recall were of a Lousian Bobet, his personal bike.

I like this bike, interesting head angle for a mid sized, mid line frame. The 58 on the lower head lug is that angle, many frames are in the 59-60 degree range but 58 is not outlandish, just more brake reach.
I think the 56 points to the seat tube length, center to top.
the surprise is the later spd pedals in the French cranks, maybe someone tapped them out to 9/16 x 20