Manufrance Super Course 1974
01-11-24, 10:42 AM
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Manufrance Super Course 1974
So today this Manufrance came in from fleabay.fr. It's a Manufrance Super Course from 1974. It is in Vitus 971 and was part of the Selection Tricolore Course, a project similar to Frexa and Spidel. Many French partners collaborated from late 1973 untill around 1980. One of the rules was that frames that were part of this STC would be in Vitus 971.
For now I will build it up and ride it as is, though the paint is in terrible shape. The chrome on the front is okay, on the rear it's less okay. It came with a Stronglight headset and Stronglight bottom-bracket.
The vitus decals seems to be not original, looking at the scans of the magazines.
Some questions for the BF hivemind:
- Should I put/keep vitus decals on frame and fork? (show off or clean look?).
- Should I remove and re-add the French flags around the chrome forks, if I decide to keep the paint?
- Any tips on adding threading to the simplex dropout? Does it need 10x1 or something? (I'm new to this).
- Any tips for adding red color to the French headbadge? It seems to be aluminium foil.
Seattube: 54cc
Toptube: 56cc
Seatpost: 26.4
Spacing: 96/120
I had no idea, but Manufrance is/was a big postal order company in France. It started in 1888 as Manufacture Francaise d'Armes et Cycles de St.Etienne. At first it sold guns, then also bicycles, then came the rest. Around 1980 it went broke and had a restart in 1988.
I simply assumed other manufacturers made the frames, but looking at photo's they seemed to be made inhouse.
For now I will build it up and ride it as is, though the paint is in terrible shape. The chrome on the front is okay, on the rear it's less okay. It came with a Stronglight headset and Stronglight bottom-bracket.
The vitus decals seems to be not original, looking at the scans of the magazines.
Some questions for the BF hivemind:
- Should I put/keep vitus decals on frame and fork? (show off or clean look?).
- Should I remove and re-add the French flags around the chrome forks, if I decide to keep the paint?
- Any tips on adding threading to the simplex dropout? Does it need 10x1 or something? (I'm new to this).
- Any tips for adding red color to the French headbadge? It seems to be aluminium foil.
Seattube: 54cc
Toptube: 56cc
Seatpost: 26.4
Spacing: 96/120
I had no idea, but Manufrance is/was a big postal order company in France. It started in 1888 as Manufacture Francaise d'Armes et Cycles de St.Etienne. At first it sold guns, then also bicycles, then came the rest. Around 1980 it went broke and had a restart in 1988.
I simply assumed other manufacturers made the frames, but looking at photo's they seemed to be made inhouse.
Last edited by DanseMacabre; 01-25-24 at 04:11 AM. Reason: sizing, history, added question
01-11-24, 10:45 AM
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01-11-24, 10:47 AM
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manufrance 1974 233 front
manufrance 1974 234-235 supervitus 971 durifort
manufrance 1974 235 durifort
manufrance 1975 238 front
manufrance 1975 239 vitus 172
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01-11-24, 11:20 AM
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Hi,
I have a website that features Manufrance. https://classicrendezvous.com/countr...ce/manufrance/
Is it ok with you to allow me to add some of your images to the website?
Thanks,
Guy
I have a website that features Manufrance. https://classicrendezvous.com/countr...ce/manufrance/
Is it ok with you to allow me to add some of your images to the website?
Thanks,
Guy
01-11-24, 11:25 AM
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For me it's fine. The seller made these pictures, but I would think it is okay as well.
The magazine scans were from a French forum, I think it is tontonvelo.
Update: I asked the seller on fleabay if he is okay with publishing his photo's. I will report back.
The magazine scans were from a French forum, I think it is tontonvelo.
Update: I asked the seller on fleabay if he is okay with publishing his photo's. I will report back.
Last edited by DanseMacabre; 01-11-24 at 11:31 AM.
01-11-24, 11:44 AM
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I ran across this recent offering on eBay.fr
should ride decently.
the rear dropout is set up for simplex mechanisms. Yes, it can be tapped 10x1 but that will most likely only get you part of the way, grinding and or filing to create stops for the various other brands of mechanisms.
maybe an early Shimano dura ace might be the easiest to go. There are other Simplex mechanisms that might be a better choice, some with long arms if required. Some planning is needed.
Seatpost most likely to be 26.4 or 26.6 if actually Super Vitus. Be sure to review the condition of the seat lug ears. Deformed closed will give you a errant reading.
should ride decently.
the rear dropout is set up for simplex mechanisms. Yes, it can be tapped 10x1 but that will most likely only get you part of the way, grinding and or filing to create stops for the various other brands of mechanisms.
maybe an early Shimano dura ace might be the easiest to go. There are other Simplex mechanisms that might be a better choice, some with long arms if required. Some planning is needed.
Seatpost most likely to be 26.4 or 26.6 if actually Super Vitus. Be sure to review the condition of the seat lug ears. Deformed closed will give you a errant reading.
01-11-24, 11:50 AM
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Nice bike. Manufrance was actually one of the foremost supplier of frames for other brands in the 70s. They made frames of all levels and styles.
My opinion on the decals is if you are not going to repaint the whole bike, just leave them alone. And my opinion on repainting is not to do it. Bike looks great as is and will clean up well.
My opinion on the decals is if you are not going to repaint the whole bike, just leave them alone. And my opinion on repainting is not to do it. Bike looks great as is and will clean up well.
01-11-24, 02:44 PM
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I ran across this recent offering on eBay.fr
should ride decently.
the rear dropout is set up for simplex mechanisms. Yes, it can be tapped 10x1 but that will most likely only get you part of the way, grinding and or filing to create stops for the various other brands of mechanisms.
maybe an early Shimano dura ace might be the easiest to go. There are other Simplex mechanisms that might be a better choice, some with long arms if required. Some planning is needed.
Seatpost most likely to be 26.4 or 26.6 if actually Super Vitus. Be sure to review the condition of the seat lug ears. Deformed closed will give you a errant reading.
should ride decently.
the rear dropout is set up for simplex mechanisms. Yes, it can be tapped 10x1 but that will most likely only get you part of the way, grinding and or filing to create stops for the various other brands of mechanisms.
maybe an early Shimano dura ace might be the easiest to go. There are other Simplex mechanisms that might be a better choice, some with long arms if required. Some planning is needed.
Seatpost most likely to be 26.4 or 26.6 if actually Super Vitus. Be sure to review the condition of the seat lug ears. Deformed closed will give you a errant reading.
And I see it now, there is no stop for the derailleur. I will think about it. There was this recent thread with several options listed.
01-11-24, 04:27 PM
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On rear derailleur hanger: do yourself a favor and just use a Simplex. They work very well so there’s no good reason to mess with notching/threading.
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01-11-24, 05:36 PM
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As above, I would definitely run a Simplex with the Simplex dropout (that was easy, next!) I am in the "don't hack stuff" camp, it's not like we cannot access the appropriate stuff nowadays with ease.
And you have a relatively rare opportunity to showcase the tubeset as Vitus, with a Super in the prefix, are you kidding me?
And you have a relatively rare opportunity to showcase the tubeset as Vitus, with a Super in the prefix, are you kidding me?
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01-11-24, 06:37 PM
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[QUOTE=
My opinion on the decals is if you are not going to repaint the whole bike, just leave them alone. And my opinion on repainting is not to do it. Bike looks great as is and will clean up well.[/QUOTE]
This I agree with… it’s only original once! Clean it up and see for yourself. You can always paint it later if you can’t live with it.
My opinion on the decals is if you are not going to repaint the whole bike, just leave them alone. And my opinion on repainting is not to do it. Bike looks great as is and will clean up well.[/QUOTE]
This I agree with… it’s only original once! Clean it up and see for yourself. You can always paint it later if you can’t live with it.
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