Two French framesets with issues (for dirt cheap)
08-20-19, 08:13 PM
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Two French framesets with issues (for dirt cheap)
I have too many projects going on to put time into these two, so off they go.
SOLD1. 1970s Bernard Carre. $30 + shipping via Bikeflights.Built under contract for a French shop (Derepas). 21" CTT seattube, 21" CTC top tube. 121mm rear spacing, Campagnolo dropouts. For 700C wheels.
The issues: Fork blades are bent back, and the steerer is bulged with some threads messed up. The seat tube is also pinched. The paint around where the shifter mount was is gone. The good news is the frame appears to be straight and there are no cracks or dents, and no ripples or bends in the downtube or top tube. This is a good candidate for a repaint, seat tube reaming, and replacement fork.
SOLD 2. 1960s Bazou. 650b cyclotouring bike. $25 + shipping via Bikeflights. Built under contract for a French shop (Bazou), probably by Mercier. 21.5" CTT seattube, 22.5" CTT top tube. 123mm rear dropout spacing. Rack and fender mounts, under-the-top-tube pump pegs, and cantilever brake bosses, and clearance for wide tires. Comes with what looks like a Stronglight Competition headset in good shape.
The issues: Fork blades are bent back slightly, and the steerer is also slightly bent. Both can probably be straightened with the right tools. There is some paint missing from the chainstay bridge and a bit off the inside of the chainstays, but no rust. One cable stop is a bit bent out of alignment. The bike was clearly originally a deep purple with a silver undercoat, and in most places the purple has faded so you can see the silver. But, the box lining and decals are mostly still in tact. I tried briefly to remove the fixed cup but it was stuck. I would guess it could be persuaded with a bigger wrench and some penetrating oil.
B. Carre
SOLD
The issues: Fork blades are bent back, and the steerer is bulged with some threads messed up. The seat tube is also pinched. The paint around where the shifter mount was is gone. The good news is the frame appears to be straight and there are no cracks or dents, and no ripples or bends in the downtube or top tube. This is a good candidate for a repaint, seat tube reaming, and replacement fork.
SOLD
The issues: Fork blades are bent back slightly, and the steerer is also slightly bent. Both can probably be straightened with the right tools. There is some paint missing from the chainstay bridge and a bit off the inside of the chainstays, but no rust. One cable stop is a bit bent out of alignment. The bike was clearly originally a deep purple with a silver undercoat, and in most places the purple has faded so you can see the silver. But, the box lining and decals are mostly still in tact. I tried briefly to remove the fixed cup but it was stuck. I would guess it could be persuaded with a bigger wrench and some penetrating oil.
B. Carre
Last edited by TenGrainBread; 01-12-20 at 05:51 PM.
08-20-19, 08:21 PM
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Preference goes to someone who wants both of these. But if I don't get anyone who wants both I will gladly ship separate.
Local pickup in Madison, WI, if you're near!
Local pickup in Madison, WI, if you're near!
08-20-19, 10:40 PM
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I have too many project bikes right now. Fork blades are possible to un-bend, but I only replace steerers, The value in these frames is in the patina, IMO.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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08-21-19, 06:40 AM
#6
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Don't hold it for me, but I will noodle the B. Carre. I am relatively local, was actually in Madison last weekend. Problem is I still have a Terrot project that I should probably complete before getting another.
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08-21-19, 08:05 AM
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08-23-19, 08:04 PM
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In case anyone in the region considering these frames hasn't already thought of this, I'd bet a nickel that Andy @ Yellow Jersey could tackle any/all of the above-mentioned issues (without even removing his necktie...).
Hmm, interesting that Bikeflights ships bare frames for a reasonable price. Gotta keep that in mind.
Hmm, interesting that Bikeflights ships bare frames for a reasonable price. Gotta keep that in mind.
08-23-19, 08:27 PM
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In case anyone in the region considering these frames hasn't already thought of this, I'd bet a nickel that Andy @ Yellow Jersey could tackle any/all of the above-mentioned issues (without even removing his necktie...).
Hmm, interesting that Bikeflights ships bare frames for a reasonable price. Gotta keep that in mind.
Hmm, interesting that Bikeflights ships bare frames for a reasonable price. Gotta keep that in mind.
08-23-19, 08:59 PM
#12
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What did he think the damage would be? Dollar wise? I think he did my Terrot, but for another BF member. Dang it! I keep thinking about this. My thought would be to take it straight to Yellow Jersey for a looks since I would have to go up there to get it anyway. Not that I am going to do it.... it is my size...
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08-23-19, 10:51 PM
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What did he think the damage would be? Dollar wise? I think he did my Terrot, but for another BF member. Dang it! I keep thinking about this. My thought would be to take it straight to Yellow Jersey for a looks since I would have to go up there to get it anyway. Not that I am going to do it.... it is my size...
09-09-19, 06:11 AM
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If you're interested, I likely have a quality fork that will work. You'll end up with english threading but that's a plus in many ways. Of course getting your hands on the fork might involve setting up a bike ride in eastern Iowa . . .
09-19-19, 07:43 PM
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Bah-zoo or bah-zoh depending on regionally where you are.
@TenGrainBread if you're willing to part with the French-thread headset on the B. Carre at a good price for a project I'm working on, I'd love your ear.
@TenGrainBread if you're willing to part with the French-thread headset on the B. Carre at a good price for a project I'm working on, I'd love your ear.
09-25-19, 09:27 PM
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-----
Thanks for posting these two.
Enjoyed following the discussion threads on them back when you took them in.
Puzzled the the presence of the welded BOCAMA crown on Bernard.
Difficult to picture him building a frame with a welded crown...
Do fork ends match dropouts?
Best wishes with the sale(s).
If member(s) purchase we may get fun build threads.
-----
Thanks for posting these two.
Enjoyed following the discussion threads on them back when you took them in.
Puzzled the the presence of the welded BOCAMA crown on Bernard.
Difficult to picture him building a frame with a welded crown...
Do fork ends match dropouts?
Best wishes with the sale(s).
If member(s) purchase we may get fun build threads.
-----
Last edited by juvela; 09-25-19 at 09:30 PM. Reason: spellin'
09-25-19, 10:10 PM
#20
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-----
Thanks for posting these two.
Enjoyed following the discussion threads on them back when you took them in.
Puzzled the the presence of the welded BOCAMA crown on Bernard.
Difficult to picture him building a frame with a welded crown...
Do fork ends match dropouts?
Best wishes with the sale(s).
If member(s) purchase we may get fun build threads.
-----
Thanks for posting these two.
Enjoyed following the discussion threads on them back when you took them in.
Puzzled the the presence of the welded BOCAMA crown on Bernard.
Difficult to picture him building a frame with a welded crown...
Do fork ends match dropouts?
Best wishes with the sale(s).
If member(s) purchase we may get fun build threads.
-----
The Bazou is sold and sent to @3speedslow, although I'm having trouble finding the bb spindle for him.
09-25-19, 10:38 PM
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How about a photo of the rear drops. Particularly the treatment of the stay ends.
Agree the "cheap" crown may have been a cost saving measure. Note the dome ends on the fork. I am told it is easier to do dome ends than to cut. If we find dome ends on the stays, then I believe this was a frame done to be as inexpensive as possible. Even so, the frame will be a good rider.
Agree the "cheap" crown may have been a cost saving measure. Note the dome ends on the fork. I am told it is easier to do dome ends than to cut. If we find dome ends on the stays, then I believe this was a frame done to be as inexpensive as possible. Even so, the frame will be a good rider.
09-25-19, 10:46 PM
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How about a photo of the rear drops. Particularly the treatment of the stay ends.
Agree the "cheap" crown may have been a cost saving measure. Note the dome ends on the fork. I am told it is easier to do dome ends than to cut. If we find dome ends on the stays, then I believe this was a frame done to be as inexpensive as possible. Even so, the frame will be a good rider.
Agree the "cheap" crown may have been a cost saving measure. Note the dome ends on the fork. I am told it is easier to do dome ends than to cut. If we find dome ends on the stays, then I believe this was a frame done to be as inexpensive as possible. Even so, the frame will be a good rider.
09-26-19, 05:07 AM
#23
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The fork does not appear to be original. It does not have the typical Carre style fish mouth ends, does not use a Wagner DP forged crown and uses Simplex, not Campagnolo, forged dropouts. Even Carre's tre-tubi models used those characteristic features. See the photo of the 531 main frame CNC/Thomann below:
09-26-19, 06:58 AM
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The fork does not appear to be original. It does not have the typical Carre style fish mouth ends, does not use a Wagner DP forged crown and uses Simplex, not Campagnolo, forged dropouts. Even Carre's tre-tubi models used those characteristic features. See the photo of the 531 main frame CNC/Thomann below:
20180625_123223 by L Travers, on Flickr
20180620_112811 by L Travers, on FlickrI won't argue the fork is not original. I am inclined to agree. But we cannot know it as a fact.
09-26-19, 09:34 AM
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If anybody is wondering, when I shipped the Bazou frameset to @3speedslow in North Carolina the shipping cost about $20 via Bikeflights.