Help identifying this bike
 

I recently acquired this bike for free and need some help on identifying. When I type in CCM Elan into Google images, a complete different bike shows up (3 speed cruiser type). One of the Elan decal is backwards on one side of the bike, which is kind of weird. I am not sure if I have a parts bike or maybe some one-off custom? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Sorry for the blurry picture.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ca98ee52a.jpeg

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T-Mar clubman


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The CCM Elan was originally introduced in 1973 and produced through 1977 as a three speed city bicycle with 26" wheels, upright handlebars, a mattress saddle, mud guards and a chain guard. They were an olive green colour and are ubiquitous in Canada, being the most common boom era choice for middle aged people suffering from DAS (Derailleur Anxiety Syndrome). When you google "CCM Elan", this is what invariably surfaces.

However, CCM filed for bankruptcy at the beginning of 1983. The brand name and company assets (but not the factory) was purchased by a Quebc based holding company associated with Procycle, who started manufacturing bicycles under the CCM brand. They manufactured a whole series of bicycles called Elans, including an Elan 3, Elan 6 and Elan CB, which were all similar to the previous Elan. However, they also offered a "racing" version with 27" wheels, 10 speeds and drop handlebars. Though it was classified as "racing", this is a misnomer. The hi-tensile steel frame and steel rims made it far too heavy for competition and it was an entry level, recreational cycling model.

Yours is this later Procycle version and appears to be mid-1980s, shortly after the takeover. At the time, the Elan was 4th in a line of a line of 7 models in their "racing series". All 7 were entry level bicycles, with the revived CCM brand being a narrow range brand aimed at beginner and casual cyclists. For avid cyclists, there was their full range Velo Sport brand.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7d37c5f0ab.jpg

Unfortunately all this adds up to "not worth much".

"Racing" bike....I wonder if there are any organized races or events that require:

Hi-Ten Frames
Steel Rims
"Safety" Levers
and
Mattress Saddles

:)

Still, in to-day's world of rising gas prices. a bicycle of this level, in clean, ready to ride condition, is worth at least a C-note in an average market.

Rather than defining the purpose, in this case "racing" was marketing terminology referring to the style of the bicycle. It has all the high visibilty features that the average consumer associated with a racing bicycle (i.e. drop handlebars, narrow saddle, derailleurs, 27" wheels and skinny tyres). It was, and still is, common marketing strategy to categorize a bicycle by its style, rather than its purpose. This has been driven by the consumer who, in most cases, gives precedence to style over function.

To be fair, the subject bicycle does not have a mattress saddle and you could compete on it if you really wanted to. The local club used to organize road races and sometimes I would participate, on my ATB, to make it a little harder on myself.