randyjawa 

My plan was to build this old LeJeune this Summer, but got side tracked on another French bike. Anyway, I am about to get into building the LeJeune but would like to know its vintage and model. So, if anyone knows how old the bike is and what model it is(could be a Tour De France?), I would appreciate knowing.

CV-6 

There is not much out on the web AFA Lejeune catalogs. Based on the TdF markings, it is definitely post 1968. I would venture to say it is prior to 1975. Providing an exact model is not possible. Lejeune had many models and variations. It is similar to a Mod 110 that appears in the early 70s catalog. However it has different brakes than mentioned for the Mod 110. Oddly enough, that is the only item specified by manufacturer on that model. Everything else is generic. And that is as far as I will stick my neck out on this one.

zukahn1 

The 1970 5-F Deluxe touring model looks to be a match for this bike except for huret Dr's and chrome.

randyjawa 

1968 to mid seventies seems likely. The down tube decal reads Tour de France, causing me to wonder if that would be the model?

And, of course, the paint is really shot, so it gets a coat, or two, of brush on white. Sadly, there are no decals available, so might consider preserving the originals.

juvela

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Have been thinking the same regarding dating. The bicycle's Huret 700 front mech launched 1966. The earliest I've found bikes with these A. Duprat UNIVERSEL chainsets is 1969. IIRC the final year for this model of Huret shift lever was ~1974.

There are some differences between Randy's example and the posted specification sheet for the model 5-F. In addition to different brake set and gear ensemble Randy's bike looks to be wearing alloy rims. Is that correct? It's difficult to be sure from the photos.

Looks like an interesting project. Will look forward to following as it moves forward.

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randyjawa 

As found, the bike was fitted with steel Rigida hoops with patterned brake surfaces. I do have a set of those in near mint condition, but I also had a set of AVA tubulars hanging around, fitted to the same hubs that came on the LeJeune. The tubulars are in great shape and I will probably go with those.

repechage

I think running tubulars is a capital idea. The bike's ride will feel more engaging.

CV-6 

The Tour de France is a marketing ploy used on more than a few Lejeune models from 1969 and up. The 5-F that Zukhan shared is close. But I think it is a lower model than the 5-F based on the "Racer" Mafac knockoffs.

juvela

Be our Lynn a non-fan of CLB products?

We need to keep in mind that this machine is likely a "boomer" and as such fittings were where they could be found for cycle manufacturers in need of keeping the production lines going...

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T-Mar

As noted by CV-6, the bicycle is no older than 1969, by virtue of the Tour de France reference on the down tube decal. This was standard on most, if not all, post 1968 models and celebrates Jan Janssen's victory in 1968 for the Pelforth-Sauvage-Lejeune team. As suggested by both CV-6 and Juvela, the modern end would appear to be circa 1974-1975. Sticking one's neck out, by assuming the CLB brakes are a substitution, would suggest 1972 as the most statistically probable year, as that year had the largest sales increase for lightweight models, placing the most strain on spec suppliers and consequently resulting in more substitutions.

Regarding the model, I believe this actually an Interclub variant. This was Lejeune's entry level, club racer. Consequently, the frame and component level was similar to a 5-F but like Lejeune's other competition models, it tended to eschew the chrome stay and blade ends. Of course, the other major differences were the presence of a tubular wheelset and higher gearing (note the half-step chainrings). It probably had the original tubular wheelset rebuilt or replaced, which was not uncommon. Novice cyclists were often initially seduced by the lighter weight of tubulars, only to later become disenchanted by the fragility, maintenance and cost.

juvela

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Thanks so much T-Mar!

Regarding the bicycle's wheels - If I read Randy's post correctly (message nr. 6 above) he states that the machine came to him wearing serrated steel rimmed wheels. Of course it is always possible that they had been changed. If these wheels were original to the bicycle they may provide a dating aid. Odds are the rims are Rigida SUPERCHROMIX and have the small diamond symbol stamped in next to the name. This symbol may display a two digit date mark.

oddjob2

Probably a 1970 or 1971. I have mine I bought in high school. Paid about $169 for it.

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/...5auEm2E5wYTOgV

randyjawa 

Again, thanks for the help. The thing that interests me the most was the unusual component group. Having done Campy, and Universal, and Mafac, and Simplex, and Shimano, and Suntour, and - well you get the idea.

The LeJeune is offering the chance to work on and then test the CLB brakes(seem to be better quality than Mafac), something I have not done...



Though I have had lots of bikes with the Huret transmission, I have never actually spent any time working on or test using one...



Cotter cranks - love em..!



Tubulars, yup, right down to the Maillard hubs and AVA rims...

Paint - get out the brush and a can of white(the blue head tube is salvageable)...



This is the sort of thing that I like to build, these days. Not fancy, not run of the mill, and not too new. Other than paint, and tires/tape/cables/casings, there should be no unexpected costs. I think that I will try to save the original art.