1950's Helyett ID
 

This popped up locally and I have been doing some research but can't find much on these bikes. There are a few things that come up concerning the "Helyett Special" but this seems to be a lower end model with JEX tubing instead of the Reynolds 531. I am thinking mid 50's based on the Simplex 303 tourist rear derailleur but maybe that was a later addition. I found an old advert that listed some Helyett models from the 40's. There was a Champion Du Monde model that listed JEX in the description but it was in French, so I couldn't interpret it very well. Any thoughts? Anyone ever dealt with JEX tubing?

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...58b35f9b6b.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c7c7920e6b.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...332d090c20.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3b1bfaa99d.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...08c29aff0a.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5657a5ef33.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...756ef37425.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f8009fcb82.jpg

I can't help you with the ID but given the age of the bike, I'd be sorely tempted to buy it and ask questions later. This bike is cool.

yeah I would get it just for the drive train and wing nuts. If it is a 1950 bike, that would be a plus.

Forgot to mention. The seller has an $800 price tag on it...

Another seller who thinks old is $$$. A 531 Helyett frame from 1958 sold for about that on the bay about a week ago. This bike is nowhere near.

That said, the drive train could be driving the price as much as anything, but not $800.

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YOYKUHZ, OVERVALUED! :thumb:

the cycle's aluminum sheet head emblem affixed with adhesive is the final one

reportedly there were two factories, one sold in ~1962-63

the other going to MICMO when they got the rights to the marque ~1966

this latter firm continued to produce Helyett badged machines for an extended period in their Nantes facility

odd history of the name, comes from an operetta of a 1890 entitled Miss Helyett

the lady's face wearing the bonnet on the head emblem is a likeness of the actress who starred in the first production - Biana Duhamel

posted some of the history here, if curious -

https://www.bikeforums.net/21737087-post10.html

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the company was a sponsor of Jacques Anquetil in the 1960's

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if one takes the rear mech to be a replacement machine could be as late as 1961
1960 was the very earliest date for the ivory coloured plastic knob on the Competition model front mech
prior years had the acorn shaped aluminum knob

so if one takes the front mech to be original cycle could not be earlier than 1960
1961 was last year for Competition model front mech

lug pattern based upon a stock BOCAMA one
seat lug is BOCAMA pattern P

pump pegs NERVEX Ref. 844 bis

droputs appear to be NERVEX pattern 1011 or 1019 but with eyelet pattern of model 1008

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JEX tubing -

here is JEX blade transfer on a Helyett Speciale Type Rene Vietto 700

https://forum.tontonvelo.com/downloa...?id=228151&t=1
https://forum.tontonvelo.com/downloa...?id=228154&t=1
https://forum.tontonvelo.com/downloa...?id=228155&t=1curiously, this cycle's stem is also marked JEX -

https://forum.tontonvelo.com/downloa...?id=228152&t=1---

valuation - do not see how it could be worth much more than two hundreds

certainly not going to scamper off at eight...

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The mention of "1950's Heyett" is sure to get my attention. Among my favorite cycling pictures are those of Monsieur Chrono on a green Helyett. :)

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...876b3791f8.jpg

But this bike is not green, and not as nice as maître Jaqcques' bike. I do like it, but even in my size I wouldn't pay more than the $200 juvela mentioned.

Perhaps the seller's been huffing a bit too much tubular glue.


I would agree with juvela on the dating and value of this frame.

Those headlugs with the "H" cutouts aren't very common and Helyetts made with those all seem to be from around the same time. That JEX decal does indicate butted tubes (Tubes légers renforcés), so the bike may not be as low end as it seems. I don't have any info on who produced this tubing. It's mostly seen on Helyetts and some Dilectas (I think Dilecta acquired Helyett in 1962 or so).

Here's a frame that seems like a decent match. It has remnants of a decal on the seat tube that reads "Type Tour de France" which seems likely to be the model name (as there were other like Type Professionnel, Type Rene Vietto, Type Record de l'heure, etc):

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ab9f25d2b3.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8bd16c8868.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e98633d13d.jpg

^ Looks very similar. Thanks for sharing!

I got the owner to come down on the price and picked up the Helyett a few days ago. I did a quick wipe down and it already looks much better. Looks to be mostly original components and from the serial number I assume it is from 1960. It appears to be a close match to the bike MauriceMoss posted as there is a Type tour de France decal on the down tube. This one is wired for a generator so I assume it originally came with fenders and was set up as a touring/city bike. The bridge on the chainstays has some damage but overall it looks nice for the age. I am excited to get it cleaned up and built. I am thinking of doing a city bar and hammered aluminum fenders, so if anyone has some French parts laying around let me know and maybe we can work out a deal.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0c247a5889.jpg
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