greg3rd48 

On the way home from riding a 200K with Rudi in New Jersey I picked this bike up. The owner said that he bought in used from the original owner in around 1972 or 73 and made some adjustments. This was in Queens, NY but he really didn't know much about it except that he rode it for a bit in NYC around that time period then put it away until now. I haven't seen much LeJeune related info online but from what I gather it may be a Pro from the late 60s-early 70s. The original tubular wheelset was replaced with a bolt-on set and the bars were replaced with upright bars. Simplex Criterium derailleurs, Stronglight 93 crank, Mafac Racer brakes and 531 fork sticker. I will update this thread as the project slowly progresses and any and all info that other members may have is appreciated.


Untitled by irishbx4th, on Flickr


Untitled by irishbx4th, on Flickr


Untitled by irishbx4th, on Flickr


Untitled by irishbx4th, on Flickr

bikemig 

Cool bike. This was on eBay, right? I saw it and was tempted but the seller didn't want to ship and I have my share of French bike projects.

I'm glad you got it. This will be a fun build. Signing up.

greg3rd48 

I believe it was but I found it on CL. I wend back and forth on it but the location was on my drive home so I went for it. Once I finally finish the Gitane this will fill the project void.

bikemig 

Yeah I have a Mercier 300, a Gitane TdF, and a Libertas in the build queue; I know what you mean. I'll likely build the Libertas first; at least Belgian bikes copied the Brits in terms of threading,

francophile 

Maybe a LeJeune 101. This catalog may help. Lejeune catalog (1971-1972)

Page 2 is maybe of interest to you. 3rd bike.

@CV-6 may still have a copy of this catalog, can't hurt to check.

Also see, starting here, scrolling right: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cv-6en...n/photostream/

Specifically of interest, note this page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cv-6en...n/photostream/

greg3rd48 

Thanks!

juvela

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Have a Lejeune Nr. 101 which I believe to date from the 1973-74 time.

Interesting to see the differences. Fittings on mine are the same save for the chainset. It is fitted with T.A. Trois Attachees.

Lugset is the same Prugnat 62/d.

It has a Vagner flat top crown and different transfers. Finish is red flambouyant rather than opaque.

Look forward to reading the observations of our favourite aircraft carrier...


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CV-6 

I would call it a Pro, at the earliest 72. It is pretty much the same as the first Lejeune I bought in 72/73. Derailleurs, brakes, crank all match. Mine has the more colorful "Championat du Monde" decals and the fork crown is different. Yours would likely have had Pivo bars and stem. Normandy Luxe hubs and Super Champion tubular rims. It will ride nice.

jetboy 

I might have some Normandy Luxe hubs - the later red ones- perhaps a good match for the paint! if you are interested I could check and send a pic- free to you for cost of shipping.

bertinjim 

greg3rd48 -

It looks like one of the Carre workshop frames built for Lejeune. Very good basis for a restoration.

greg3rd48 

OK so I may be close on my identification. I am not sure how stock I am going to go with this build but I will definitely keep the Mafacs and the Stronglight 93. I will probably swap out the Simplex and store them due to the fear of Delrin. I need bars, brake levers, stem and wheelset but that will either come from my parts bins temporarily or I will have to wait. I am glad that I bit on this one.


I was hoping so. I will come back for opinions om style as the build progresses.

repechage

Remove the seat binding bolt kludge- underneath may be room for a socket head cap screw ( of slightly smaller head diameter than an 8mm standard socket head metric screw )
and if so, probably bunged up threads on the other end. If that is the case, a helicoil is you friend. if you do not want to buy the tooling, source a machine shop that rebuilds import cars or motorcycle engines.
A bolt mounted in a drill motor and run against a grinding wheel should get you to the diameter you need if you don't know someone with a lathe. If you have access to a lathe, add a small chamfer to the outer end of the bolt head- as original.

I think 73-74 the Simplex rear mechanism usually has a date code on the cage.

I like mine very much- ride well.

seypat

The one on the Bay looked like it might of had a slightly bent fork. Glad to see it wasn't. I recently got a set of 120 spaced Normandy Luxe hubs/wheelset. They came with some other stuff. I don't have any plans for them at the moment.

juvela

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Might help Greg to know if they be tubs or w/o's.

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seypat

Here they are. Even have a dork disc included. Skewers do not match. Rims are Rigida 13-19. Schrader valves.

juvela

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Thanks very much for writing back!

These red labels launched 1973 so if bicycle determined to be that late they would be plausible.

Also the red label hubset from @jetboy.

If bicycle determined to be as late as 1973 the Maillard 700 would be an option as well.

These are are of better quality.


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bikemig 

One possibility for the RD is to get a shimano crane. You'll need to tap out the derailleur hanger. The purists here may complain but you can pick up a crane at a decent price and it shifts well. Also if you want to go "compact" with the crank, a stronglight 99 should fit just fine on your existing BB.

noglider 

@greg3rd48, I remember those LeJeunes were well regarded back in the day. They look to be very similar to PX-10's, but @aixaix tells me they ride very differently. I think he has two or three LeJeunes in his shop. He might be able to tell you about them and yours. He has a car repair garage in Mt Vernon.

greg3rd48 

I've been to his shop a couple of times to talk C&V. I will swing by again soon. It has been a couple of years.

greg3rd48 

That's right, I will check the RD date. As for the seat binder bolt, I thought it would come off easily. I do not plan to reuse it but will replace it with one from the bin. Thank you for that info, hopefully it doesn't come to that...

@juvela Would you mind sharing a photo of your LeJeune?

Wildwood 

Subscribed!
And nice project.



I'm not really a Frenchie, having only owned a lowly Peugeot PH10LE and and presently a Follis 072(?).
Both of which I liked a bunch, but not my primary riders.
Never stepped-up to the top level.
I could learn something here.


Stronglight93, MAFAC brakes/levers, Simplex ders, Normandy Luxe hubs, etc - all in my collection (if not on the same bike)
I could pick-up a lot in the details.

jetboy 

my Normandy Luxe as they came to me.. and then sat on a wall for some years with no attention. Look pretty much the same as above but Super Champion rims.

juvela

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Mr. Greg escrivenated -


"@juvela Would you mind sharing a photo of your LeJeune?"


no digi-cam

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bikemig 

Too bad, I think your bikes are just my size,

rhm

I heard about this before Greg picked it up. Looks good! Definitely a little more interesting than a PX10.

I see @juvela already identified the lugs. They're the same as on my Holdsworth 650b randonneuring bike. You'll also see some Colnagos with the long point version of that lug. It's a nice design, not as busy as Nervex.

Have you considered 650b on this?