Pcampeau

Bought this today after seeing it sit on Craigslist for a few weeks with no takers. The seller was only asking $40 so I finally bit. I’m not well versed in Frejus bikes but I think it’s a lower end model. Stamped dropouts and no Columbus or Reynolds decals leads me to believe it’s a lovely (and I didn’t mean lowly) gas pipe frame. The seller bought it earlier this year and believes it’s from 1960, though he’s not certain. After looking around on the Internet it seems it’ll likely be difficult to get an exact year of production based on the serial number. No matter really, I did find enough evidence to suggest his assessment is not too far off. If anyone does know the correct year and model please feel free to chime in. Chrome and paint are a bit rough but not extremely bad. Much of the blue paint has been touched up with a brush. It passes the five foot test but closer inspection reveals blemishes aplenty. Chrome on the stays and fork ends is a bit rusty but I think it’ll polish up pretty well. The chrome lugs look beautiful and I know they’ll shine. There is a very small dent in the seat tube where some paint is missing and it’s getting rusty. Most of the patina on this frame I’m going to leave alone after cleaning and polishing but that little dent will need some touch up. I’m missing a headbadge for now but I may find one on Ebay; they’re not cheap but they exist. I do wish that certain seat tube collar were present. Does anyone know, if I find that certain collar, if they are all the same standard size?....and if not what else will work?

I’ve never had a Frejus before and I’ll say I’m impressed with the level of finish, even on this lovely gas pipe frame. I’m not sure yet if I’ll build a bike out of this or just hang it on the wall but I just couldn’t leave it sit.

Here it is “as found”. I’ll post more photos after I clean it up.

merziac

Very cool, great find.

No expert here by any stretch but it seems to me that many like these are very nice at the end of the day and I love em.

Chrome lugs, crown and socks with what may be stamped but more like "plate" dropouts that look great with the chrome.

I think these are fantastic and many were fitted very nicely for the era depending on the company.

The seat collar may be a challenge as there were Frejus branded ones but also generic geometric pattern ones used by many and may be easier to find.

A modern one should be able to be made to work maybe with a shim at least for temporary.

Charles Wahl

Very tasty, and a great find for $40. I wouldn't assume that it's a lower-end model, based on the chrome and the paint work, without weighing it and checking seatpost size -- I think that it's simply older than you may be used to. Cut plate dropouts (rather than forged) in an early '50s frame does not necessarily mean it was a cheaper one. If you're going to weigh it, remove the headset parts that aren't pressed in for that -- makes it easier to compare to other frames.

The top race for the headset and its locknut appear to be a mismatch (plating-wise), and the former may be from a Stronglight P3 or V4 headset (see here), but doesn't really match the bottom head tube race either. That may be Italian (possibly Agrati?), and looks like the headset that was on a Bottechia I bought and gave to my son. Good luck finding one of those, though -- like the seat post collar. Still, the collar is a component that someone with skills like gugie's or bulgie's might be able to replicate.

Gotta love that seat stay terminal detail!

merziac

Pcampeau

https://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-40-50-Frejus-seat-clamp-morsetto-reggisella-collarino-seatclamp/293486116023?hash=item445522bcb7:g:iWkAAOSwtoleTtqH

sd5782 

An old Schwinn collar could possibly work while one sources a proper one. They are taller but could perhaps be “modified”.

niliraga 

could a hardware store hose clamp stand in for the collar until a more suitable one turns up?

bikemig 

I would have paid $40 for this frame all day long; nice catch.

One neat thing about picking up a frame as opposed to a complete bike is that you are free to run whatever you like. This bike came with center pulls and it can take some fat tires if you like. I'd be tempted to build this up as a townie with a 3 speed rear hub and 700c wheels rather than paying crazy money for period correct parts.

Pcampeau

Thanks to you all for noticing and for all the comments. I did some measuring and the seat post size is 26.4mm. I think Charles Wahl is correct that the headset is not original either, which means I have zero original parts. I’m not sure which direction I’ll go with it but I’d like to get the proper headset, a good steel cottered bottom bracket and crankset, and that pesky seat tube collar. That link that merziac sent shows that bikemig is correct; these parts will be pricey. I expected that but I’ll keep my options open on a possibly cheaper or maybe temporary build. It doesn’t have to happen all at once.

noglider 

Lovely is right. All Frejus frames I've seen are lovely. See what it weighs. It might not be low end. And whatever it is, you got a great deal.

John E

I am guessing late 1950s. The 26.4mm seat post diameter is consistent with plain gauge Columbus or 531 tubing. Don't worry about the stamped dropouts, which Capo continued to use into the early 1960s, although their top-of-the-line Sieger model got U-shaped braze-ons to improve the function of quick release axles and give the appearance of forged units. The lack of a derailleur hanger is also not necessarily a deal-killer, either, since "claws" were still very common in the late 1950s.

Pcampeau

It may be a plain gauge upgrade I suppose. My 68 Raleigh Super Course takes the same size seat post. Anyone have any idea what the seat post diameter would be if it were gas pipe?

steve sumner

BITD Frejus had only 3 models: the Professional was 531 w/Campy drops
the Tour de France was 531 w/Simplex drops and the one with stamped
drops was called the Corsa. I have a Corsa that I plan to build one day.
I find the workmanship to be so-so. the lugs are thinner than was common
for the years they were made but I see gaps in the brazing here and there
which brings the quality down

Pcampeau

Tiny Update

I’ve secured my first part. I ordered it quite awhile ago and it finally arrived today. 23 Italian stamps for one little seat post clamp. Is there a “Show Your Postage” thread? Obviously I have a long way to go but the worlds slowest build thread is underway.

A perfect fit!


The front side of the package.

The back side of the package.

Slightly tarnished but it should go well with this frame.

The bolt is a little rusty but we’ll see what I can do about that.

merziac

@Pcampeau

That clamp is the score of the day, I would slather that with Turtle wax chrome polish and rust remover, scrub with brass bristle brush and repeat till it shines.

Auto zone, Oreillys, etc. all carry it.

Pcampeau

merziac it’s actually the clamp from the link you posted on this thread back in September. Thanks for that! I’ve got the part and its hardware soaking overnight in a small dish of Bar Keepers Friend. I’ll try the Turtle wax chrome polish and brass bristle brush next.

merziac

Excellent, you're welcome, the bell was ringing a little bit, but at this stage its always ringing a bit so......

gugie 

Gotta love the seller of that part.

bikemig 

Evaporust will clean that part right up. Great collection of stamps. Time for a new hobby?