1951 Helyett cyclotouring
01-19-20, 03:42 PM
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1951 Helyett cyclotouring
I purchased the frame/fork (VITUS tubing) from French eBay. They came with MAFAC brakes, cyclo derailleurs, racks, HS, and BB. The frame and fork weigh a hair over 6 pounds, and the bike weighs 26.6 pounds. Nelson Miller supplied the period wheels with Exceltoo hubs and @gugie supplied the fenders. The rest of the bits and pieces came from the four corners of the planet (I have an old frame pump coming) including my spares box. This is my first experience with cyclo derailleurs, and they shift well on the repair stand. First time wiring up lights and dynamo and it all works! The head badge was missing, I was able to purchase one on French eBay, and painted it to match images I found on the inter webs. It would be nice to be able to replace some of the decals, but there doesn’t appear to be a source for the style on this frame? It is snowy here, and it might be some time before I get a chance to ride it.
01-19-20, 03:54 PM
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That's really nice, Andy! Very cool how the green is applied between the box lining..
01-19-20, 04:00 PM
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My kinda bike. 
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01-19-20, 04:26 PM
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Are the seat stay tops just squashed? Very cool.
01-19-20, 04:31 PM
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Helyett
Thank you everyone for the kind words. It has been a fun project and I look forward to putting some miles on it.
The handlebars are unmarked aluminum randonneuse bend bars. I bought them from Fleabay. My build consultant pointed me to them. Decently light and 25mm OD, which fits the AVA stem as it should. Here is another angle.
Yes, I believe the seat stay caps are somehow squashed.
Those who know me know I lean to the campy equipped Italian racing bike side of things. It has been fun to learn about these French 650b cyclo-touring bikes. For the record, I "blame" a few people on this forum for the "bad" 650b influence and Matt is not one of them!
The handlebars are unmarked aluminum randonneuse bend bars. I bought them from Fleabay. My build consultant pointed me to them. Decently light and 25mm OD, which fits the AVA stem as it should. Here is another angle.
Yes, I believe the seat stay caps are somehow squashed.
Those who know me know I lean to the campy equipped Italian racing bike side of things. It has been fun to learn about these French 650b cyclo-touring bikes. For the record, I "blame" a few people on this forum for the "bad" 650b influence and Matt is not one of them!
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01-19-20, 04:43 PM
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This is a cool bike. Nice job.
01-19-20, 04:49 PM
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Very cool!
01-19-20, 04:59 PM
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Thank you for exposing me to yet another unfamiliar marque. This site is always an educational one! Beautiful machine -- vintage and vintage-style road touring and sport touring bikes are my perennial faves.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
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01-19-20, 05:01 PM
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Great job! I really like the Streamline Moderne style headlight.
01-19-20, 05:21 PM
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Beautiful!
I love the spare elegance of this sort of fender & rack setup. The racks support the fenders and the fenders keep the racks in place longitudinally.
Perhaps I will get lucky and find a bike like this in my size while I am still flexible enough to shift that front derailleur!
Brent
I love the spare elegance of this sort of fender & rack setup. The racks support the fenders and the fenders keep the racks in place longitudinally.
Perhaps I will get lucky and find a bike like this in my size while I am still flexible enough to shift that front derailleur!
Brent
01-19-20, 05:32 PM
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Radios 16
The headlight is a period piece made by "Radios" and it is a model 16.
Here is a picture of the taillight. I haven't been able to determine the manufacturer.
Here is a picture of the taillight. I haven't been able to determine the manufacturer.
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01-19-20, 06:26 PM
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A beauty and 1st class build!
Thanks for sharing.
( Along with the dumpster Singer, its about time we have decent new threads on the forum. )
Thanks for sharing.
( Along with the dumpster Singer, its about time we have decent new threads on the forum. )
01-19-20, 07:17 PM
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Hey Andy A!
Good to see ya posting C&V. ( or I missed ‘em )
everything everyone one said AND the classy 1/2 hoods that jazz the jazz.
Good to see ya posting C&V. ( or I missed ‘em )
everything everyone one said AND the classy 1/2 hoods that jazz the jazz.
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01-20-20, 09:48 AM
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Very nice. 👍 I like that suicide shifter too, as well as that front rack setup. 😎 Probably not much chance of finding one of these, here in the states. 😉
01-20-20, 10:08 AM
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Fantastic! French Fender Day in your future?
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01-20-20, 12:06 PM
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Love the lugs, love the bike. How does it ride?
01-20-20, 12:07 PM
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-----
Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful find!
Really something you have there.
Love that crown.
If you have researched marque you know name comes an operetta of 1895. The lady shown on head emblem is the leading character - Miss Helyett.
Badge and plants acquired by MICMO (Gitane) in 1966.
-----
Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful find!
Really something you have there.
Love that crown.
If you have researched marque you know name comes an operetta of 1895. The lady shown on head emblem is the leading character - Miss Helyett.
Badge and plants acquired by MICMO (Gitane) in 1966.
-----
01-20-20, 02:43 PM
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Helyett ride, half hoods, and FFD
Wildwood , Thanks Stuart. Always good to hear from you!
mechanicmatt, I haven't had a chance to ride it yet. It is a bit snowy here in Durango. Hopefully soon.
gugie , I would love to go to French Fender Day. My sister lives in northeastern PA and I have cousins in Connecticut. Might be able to work something out. Fingers crossed.
mechanicmatt, I haven't had a chance to ride it yet. It is a bit snowy here in Durango. Hopefully soon.
gugie , I would love to go to French Fender Day. My sister lives in northeastern PA and I have cousins in Connecticut. Might be able to work something out. Fingers crossed.
01-20-20, 09:05 PM
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Well, now, that is a cool looking rig, Andy! I love it when the racks are painted the same color as the frame, and as others have said, that fork crown is especially pretty.
I don't see myself going down the 650B route, but if I did I'd be wanting something like this
EDIT: Normally I'm not a fan of the "squashed and rolled" treatment at the tops of the stays, but on this bike it's very artfully done. And did I mention how much I like that fork crown? Dayum!
DD
I don't see myself going down the 650B route, but if I did I'd be wanting something like this
EDIT: Normally I'm not a fan of the "squashed and rolled" treatment at the tops of the stays, but on this bike it's very artfully done. And did I mention how much I like that fork crown? Dayum!
DD
Last edited by Drillium Dude; 01-23-20 at 02:15 AM.