196? LeJeune Mishmash
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 13
Bikes: Parlee Z-Zero, Cannondale CAAD9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
196? LeJeune Mishmash
Picked this up randomly yesterday at a garage sale while walking the dog.
After some back-and-forth with the seller's brother-in-law, I learned that his Ohio-based bike club had some "French fames" shipped over in "the 60s" due to the lack of available quality American frames. This particular bike was apparently ridden by Alan Marcosson to a Nation Prestige title (presumably in the late 60s) and somewhere graces the cover of Velonews (with Marcosson astride).
It's clearly seen better days.
The bottom bracket threads were stripped at some point in the past, so it's been tapped for Italian threads and had a Phil Wood sealed bottom bracket installed. The crank is 1st gen Dura Ace. Rear derailleur is Shimano Crane. Downtube shifters and front derailleur are Zeus. Levers and brakes are Galli.
Price was right, but what do I have here? Any insight would be appreciated.
After some back-and-forth with the seller's brother-in-law, I learned that his Ohio-based bike club had some "French fames" shipped over in "the 60s" due to the lack of available quality American frames. This particular bike was apparently ridden by Alan Marcosson to a Nation Prestige title (presumably in the late 60s) and somewhere graces the cover of Velonews (with Marcosson astride).
It's clearly seen better days.
The bottom bracket threads were stripped at some point in the past, so it's been tapped for Italian threads and had a Phil Wood sealed bottom bracket installed. The crank is 1st gen Dura Ace. Rear derailleur is Shimano Crane. Downtube shifters and front derailleur are Zeus. Levers and brakes are Galli.
Price was right, but what do I have here? Any insight would be appreciated.
#2
Bad example
It's hard to see, but does the bike have forged dropouts with a derailleur hanger? Or is that a claw holding the rear derailleur in place?
Also, I doubt that a bike built in the 60s would have had brazed-on brake cable stops on the top tube.
Also, I doubt that a bike built in the 60s would have had brazed-on brake cable stops on the top tube.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,324
Mentioned: 414 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3781 Post(s)
Liked 3,284 Times
in
2,145 Posts
definite later sixties.
likely eleven tube 531 nominal. but steerer may be nervor.
our resident aircraft carrier will be putting into port shortly to give more and better help...
#4
Bad example
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 13
Bikes: Parlee Z-Zero, Cannondale CAAD9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Not sure this could *be* grimier.
Drop-outs have a hanger (see attached):
Drop-outs have a hanger (see attached):
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,324
Mentioned: 414 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3781 Post(s)
Liked 3,284 Times
in
2,145 Posts
transfers not much help with dating as manufacturer had several styles which they seemed to use interchangeably.
CV-6 will be able to explain this far more fully when he puts in to port...
if you should have occasion to repack the headset you may discover a nervor stamp upon the fork's steerer.
frame may be the model which came kitted with the campag nr group.
CV-6 will be able to explain this far more fully when he puts in to port...
if you should have occasion to repack the headset you may discover a nervor stamp upon the fork's steerer.
frame may be the model which came kitted with the campag nr group.
#7
If I own it, I ride it
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cardinal Country
Posts: 5,593
Bikes: Lejeune(14), Raleigh, Raysport, Jan De Reus, Gazelle, Masi, B. Carré(4), Springfield, Motobecane(2), Greg Lemond, Andre Bertin, Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 656 Times
in
308 Posts
Not earlier than 69 as that is when they stopped being Sauvage Lejeune and became just Lejeune. Blue head tube indicates to me not later than mid-70s as that seemed to disappear from the catalogs by 72. Do recall that catalogs are not definitive. Looks like the remains of a 531 decal but cannot determine if it is full or main tubes only. Would like to see the seat stay caps. Nice frame and probably a great rider. The J is not capitalized in Lejeune.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,324
Mentioned: 414 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3781 Post(s)
Liked 3,284 Times
in
2,145 Posts
here is a link to a restored example dated 1969.
Lejeune Sonolor,1969, Vintage, Reynolds 531, Campagnolo Nouvo Record, L'eroica | eBay
Lejeune Sonolor,1969, Vintage, Reynolds 531, Campagnolo Nouvo Record, L'eroica | eBay
#9
Senior Member
That would be an excellent candidate for an overpaint. Sand down the paint that's there, brush on matched color paint. Work around the existing decals.
Mytenspeeds.com has further instructions.
What size frame is that????
Mytenspeeds.com has further instructions.
What size frame is that????
Last edited by big chainring; 12-07-15 at 07:55 AM.
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 13
Bikes: Parlee Z-Zero, Cannondale CAAD9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 13
Bikes: Parlee Z-Zero, Cannondale CAAD9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
@big - thanks for the site. Being completely new to vintage bikes, that site is extremely helpful.
#12
Senior Member
Seat caps are very Bernard Carre-esque.
Cool bike. Definitely worth some resto. Period Campy NR or a Stronglight/Simplex/Mafac group.
Cool bike. Definitely worth some resto. Period Campy NR or a Stronglight/Simplex/Mafac group.
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 13
Bikes: Parlee Z-Zero, Cannondale CAAD9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
@big - that's what I was thinking. Pull it apart, restore the frame, and source the "correct" period parts for it.
Now that I've seen the mytenspeeds.com hand painting articles, I'm thinking I'll try this slowly and in that direction.
Now that I've seen the mytenspeeds.com hand painting articles, I'm thinking I'll try this slowly and in that direction.
#14
If I own it, I ride it
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cardinal Country
Posts: 5,593
Bikes: Lejeune(14), Raleigh, Raysport, Jan De Reus, Gazelle, Masi, B. Carré(4), Springfield, Motobecane(2), Greg Lemond, Andre Bertin, Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 656 Times
in
308 Posts
That is the remains of a full 531 decal. The seat stay cap seems a bit off for a Carré shop built frame. Too pointed and narrow at the ends. All I will commit to on it is that it is a top of the line Lejeune frame, likely to have a Nervor steerer and a seamed head tube despite what the decal says. Build it. Ride it. Enjoy it.
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 13
Bikes: Parlee Z-Zero, Cannondale CAAD9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks, @CV-6. You're clearly the encyclopedia when it comes to Lejeune.
Would this frame have a model designation? (e.g., Pro, Champ du Monde, etc.?). The blue headtube suggests to me that it's not a Pro or Champ du Monde given the other pictures I've seen, but I know nothing about these bikes.
Would this frame have a model designation? (e.g., Pro, Champ du Monde, etc.?). The blue headtube suggests to me that it's not a Pro or Champ du Monde given the other pictures I've seen, but I know nothing about these bikes.
#16
If I own it, I ride it
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cardinal Country
Posts: 5,593
Bikes: Lejeune(14), Raleigh, Raysport, Jan De Reus, Gazelle, Masi, B. Carré(4), Springfield, Motobecane(2), Greg Lemond, Andre Bertin, Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 656 Times
in
308 Posts
Thanks, @CV-6. You're clearly the encyclopedia when it comes to Lejeune.
Would this frame have a model designation? (e.g., Pro, Champ du Monde, etc.?). The blue headtube suggests to me that it's not a Pro or Champ du Monde given the other pictures I've seen, but I know nothing about these bikes.
Would this frame have a model designation? (e.g., Pro, Champ du Monde, etc.?). The blue headtube suggests to me that it's not a Pro or Champ du Monde given the other pictures I've seen, but I know nothing about these bikes.
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 13
Bikes: Parlee Z-Zero, Cannondale CAAD9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks, @CV-6. Whatever model it was designated, I'm gathering the important bit is that it is 531 throughout. I'll figure out the fork when I pull it apart.
#18
Senior Member
kfreytag-
It looks like you have a Bernard Carre built Lejeune. He was the builder of the top of the line Lejeunes for many years. The leaf pattern stay caps vary slightly over time but when taken with the fish mouth ends of the seat and chainstays on the rear dropouts it seems highly probable, almost to a certainty, that you have a Carre built frame. That would be a very good thing! Try here, here, and here for further images and here for a brief explanation of his career and style.
It looks like you have a Bernard Carre built Lejeune. He was the builder of the top of the line Lejeunes for many years. The leaf pattern stay caps vary slightly over time but when taken with the fish mouth ends of the seat and chainstays on the rear dropouts it seems highly probable, almost to a certainty, that you have a Carre built frame. That would be a very good thing! Try here, here, and here for further images and here for a brief explanation of his career and style.
#19
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 13
Bikes: Parlee Z-Zero, Cannondale CAAD9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
@bertinjim - many thanks. It appears I've lucked on something worth restoring and treasuring. My daughter was quite frustrated at daddy looking at yet more bikes at a garage sale during our walk. Glad I did.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 170
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Since I am right in the middle of rehabbing a 1973 LeJeune TDF, I am really excited to see the bike project you are undertaking. If it comes out anything the eBay pictures of the Sonolor you will,indeed, have a treasure. Plus your journey will be a treasure trove of info for my rehab. I'm really happy for you!
#21
incazzare.
Common misconception. This was available as an option from better builders in the 60's. My '64 JRJ has them, and shifter mounts, too.
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ghostm42
Bicycle Mechanics
6
07-22-17 04:03 PM
CaptionIdiot
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
4
09-26-15 08:16 PM
Ayepod
Classic & Vintage
21
03-17-15 10:13 PM