Stella, French blue F&F, 52cm and vintage
 

My friends asked me to sell this and I don't know much about it except what I can see here:
It's probably hi-tensile steel tubing, maybe bike-boom (early 1970s) vintage, possibly a little earlier since the workmanship seems better than the slap-dash of a typical UO-8, etc.

The paint is petty nice (for its age) except for one 4" long scrape on top of the top tube (easy to retouch) and numerous small chips/scratches, but this looks stunning in the sun from 10 feet away!
Stamped DOs and forkends, some braze-ons but would be a great Single Speed or IGH conversion. Wagner forkcrown and nice long-point lugs that may be Prugnauts, and pump pegs!

52cm seat tube, 54cm top tube (C-to-C, longer than square) takes 700C wheels with ample clearance for 28s or 32s (I think) and brake reach for the front is about 56mm.
I polished the chrome socks and they look much better than when the pix were shot, I bet the paint will also perk up with a coat of wax.

French threading of course and all it has is the pinch-bolt with rear brake hanger, rough guess with a caliper is 25mm seatpost but I will try to get a better guess and update this.

Check out the many pix. Classy graphics!

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7130744112.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5cf6a63fdf.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...20140eab53.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2495ed0db6.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9402229d6e.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ff07751f1e.jpg



BUMP and EDIT: PRICE REDUCED: Asking $55 plus either shipping by BikeFlights or ShipBike local pick-up in SF Bay Area is encouraged!

I love Stellas! Any idea what the sticker just above the bottom bracket is? Importer's label maybe?

Looks like maybe a shiney version of this. ;)

Very cool too small for me frame. :thumb:


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...16facf2ad8.jpg

yes a similar dealer's sticker and in this case the shop is Golden Gate Cyclery, 900 Stanyan street in SF, CA

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likely a 1973 model

it seems like all of our San Francisco bay area Stella examples are from that time

lug pattern Prugnat 62/d

as recalled, kitting for this model included Universel (A. Duprat) cottered steel chainset, Campag Valentino gear ensemble, Campag NT hubs with steel rimmed wheels

importer may have been Beacon in Oakland

you might consider gluing it into the "show us your Stella" thread:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...lla-bikes.html

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I was given a 1971 Stella in silver that looks very close except for the pump peg. It came with center pul Wienman brakes , Campagnolo matchbox FD , Velox RD , Grand Sport shifters , and Campagnolo Tipo high flange hubs laced to 27” steel Rigida wheels . I changed the steel handle bar to an alloy one and laced the hubs to alloy Wienman 700c wheels. If it were larger I would ride it more because it just rides so darn nice. For a bike with stamped drop outs and plain gage tubing it feels high end to me. If whomever buys this bike builds it up right they will not be disappointed.

national bicycle dealers association had a basic shop decal made up- a shop ordered and requested their text, a bit less outlay than going it alone with unique art and higher minimum orders, problem was a consumer could care less if the shop was a member and not unique enough, a shop in the same city could have the same basic graphic.

Yep, marketing 101, get the public to buy in to some intrinsic group value while you take them to the cleaners. ;)

My view was the association was trying to build some credibility with the consumer through the thrift of the bike shop members.

Yep, probably that too. ;)

Bumping for lowered price to $65 plus shipping, one last try here before setting it free to the whims of CL and eBay.

Bumping this cause a potential sale to a C&Ver fell through so this is still available and I still prefer to avoid the extra labor and expense of shipping BUT I was going to deliver this to SoCal (if the logistics could be worked out) so something like that might be possible for another buyer.

And now knocking off another $5: now $60 as you see it plus cost-only by ShipBikes or BikeFlights if you need that

PM me.

AND Local pick-up in the SF Bay Area is strongly encouraged cause you'll save on shipping; I might even be convinced to deliver this to you if on a major mass transit route! MORE savings! ;)

I’m kinda shocked that @Andy_K didn’t snag this for his grandchild.

I think he needs something more this size (without the tall seatpost and bars):

https://bootiebike.com/stella/1000/s...ebike_1000.jpg

Forgot about this, low end and way too small, still cool as heck. ;)

And had meant to comment how really cool it must have been when new.

The colors and scheme are fantastic, can't imagine they weren't amazing when new. :)