Gazelle Champion Mondial Semi Race 1974
 

It's been a while since I posted something on this forum. I've been wrenching more than cycling (only commuting actually) and finally decided to skip/postpone some projects on my list for now and focus on this Gazelle bike I found last year. The bike is in my size so I am planning on using it for some recreational cycling. I already posted about this bike here.

The bike needs some good cleaning and a good overhaul in general, it seems like it hasn't been used for a long time.
The paintjob is not in a very good condition, especially the top tube which has been touched up. Also, I found I small dent on the top tube, which is sad but stuctural-wise shouldn't be a problem.

Here some more pictures of the bike.https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e1bea65c4a.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4bd949e0b9.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0cc6f886be.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...480fa5deec.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a1786571a6.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...68c14a58ce.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...30d0f3c04b.jpg

The bike is more or less the standard version of Gazelle Semi Race (version G8) which can be found in the Gazelle catalogue from 1970. The chain guard is missing and the rear wheel has been changed. Brooks B73 saddle is probably a later change. The rest seems to be original though.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5bd6e83211.jpghttps://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a907d90f87.jpg

Here are some pictures of the paintwork and the dent in the top tube (you can see it in the first picture). Especially the paint of the top tube is in bad condition, I might try to fix it a little bit.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...403486bb58.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...26769d1149.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5cf42d8f7f.jpg

Bondo to the rescue! :)

Fill the dent. Sand it smooth. Spray paint to cover it up.

Nice details and parts on there. Definitely needs some work but a good cleaning will already do wonders.

Any plans for it?

That's the one you posted in December, right? Nice. I like that it is an early one. Those "G" frames have a quality of their own. Glad to see you got around to it. :)

Many here will find the kickstand disturbing, but it's useful, and since the frame was designed for one, it is a nice asset:

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9d94cce68c.jpg

-----

wrt tool for Stronglight crank removal -

if you can get a standard 16mm socket for a socket wrench set it can be ground down on a grinding wheel or with a Dremel tool to make it thinwall so as to fit in the space available.

it is possible to purchase individual sockets at tool and hardware stores.

-----

Well, I have removed everything but the cranks and BB from the bike. I have to get a proper socket for my wrench before I can go on.
The tubes seem to be in a very good condition from the inside, by the way.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...01e5a8fd59.jpg
The frame after some wrenching but the cranks still need to be removed

I was wondering about the lugs when I got the bike because they do not look like typical Champion Mondial Bocama lugs I had seen. These are probably more typical to older Gazelle CM like this one (my guess is pre-75 ??)


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...69f4f7ce77.jpg
BCM lugs

The head tube lug seems to have a little dent on it. Is this normal?

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0dcf2ed7a3.jpg
A little dent on the head tube lug

I am a bit surprised that the lights wiring is not internal as on other old Gazelle bikes I've seen so far. There are simply no holes in the frame for the wire. The wire was attached to the frame by means of some tie straps. I am wondering if the bike came like that originally.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a62e5f968e.jpg

Lights wiring
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f4bb6d4dee.jpg

Some kind of vintage tie straps. Look better than the modern ones. Any ideas if these are original?

Yes, you're right! That's the very same bike from December. I haven't seen many of these old ones around.
The kickstand will most likely find its place on the bike, but I am not sure about the rear rack. I will see.

By the way, what are those brakets on the back of the fork and around the fork ends (they are held in place by the QR)? Something for mounting front racks? I am sure that you know the answer!

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2778cb361e.jpg
At first, I thought that this bracket was welded to the fork

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e8105a8cb1.jpg

I also see that Park Tool used to make a special tool for that (CCW-16). I will try to find a thin-walled socket that hopefully will do the job.

------

you may find that a store-bought thinwall socket be not thin eno'

a low cost asian standard socket is adequate to begin with

it can be mounted on the arbor of an electric drill to grind it down

once you get a tool for this application it will also be convenient for Zeus where the space is even tighter

16mm fixing bolt paired with standard size (22mm) removal threads

one fringe benefit of a 16mm fixing bolt is that it makes it difficult for someone to steal the machine's crankset

you are going at things very nicely

shall look forward to following the progress as matters move forward :thumb:

"nowhere but in the low countries would one encounter a Reynolds tubing frame built with ESGE plate style bridges!" :D

-----

Where in Rotterdam are you located? You are welcome to drop by and borrow some of my tools but a socket wrench is always useful when working on older bikes. :)

Those fittings do look like they would support a rack, but wouldn't that interfere with the front light?

I love that chain guard on the crankset! I bet there are thousands of them languishing in back rooms and land fills.

I agree that hardware on the fork looks like it is for a removable rack.

Bocama Professional Medium Point lugs
 

Bocama Professional medium point lugs, usually found on mid price range models in the early 70's like the Gitane Tour de France.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cbc7a71772.jpg

The dent in the lug probably occurred while the frame was being brazed. The lug was pushed down at that point while it was red hot and dead soft to close a gap with the top tube. Too much pressure was applied.

Gazelles were not very common in the US and don't get much respect. I have 2 NOS Gazelle frames: a 1973 Champion Mondial A frame and a 1994 Champion Mondial AB frame. The 1994 Frame is made of Reynolds 531C tubing.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...26e418a34f.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f342c890be.jpg

Because of copyright issues in Germany, the "Champion Mondial" frame (all versions) was simply named "Champion".

verktyg :50:

-----
[MENTION=173992]non-fixie[/MENTION] -

please to refreshing me poor memory :foo:

did you build up your example from a frameset or take it in as a complete machine?

---

be that an EKLA crown on our subject fiets, or perhaps a modified Vagner?

-----

I have removed the bolts today :) This is the socket I used, it doesn't look like a thin-walled though, does it? But it worked just fine.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ae28f683c8.jpg
16mm socket

Owning a proper tool would be convinient, but I am a bit surprised that Zeus crank bolts are not the same as Campy ones. I didn't know that they require a 16mm socket/tool.

Jacco, I live quite central (near Stadsarchief, Bird and Grafisch lyceum). Which part of Rotterdam do you live in? Anyway, thank you for your offer to come by! I went to this Steel Rides bike shop, which is 5 min from me, to borrow a socket. Have you been there? The guy is into vintage bikes and even builds his own frames.

I do own a socket wrench, it is indeed one of the most important tools for a bike mechanic.

It's a Simplex Chainguard, and I agree with you that it shouldn't be a problem to find one.

I am wondering what kind of a rack could possibly work with those fittings. I am gonna check if there are maybe any markings on them.

I got mine as a complete bike from a friendly trader and made very few changes. Just the saddle, pedals, bars and the usual suspects like cables and tires. This is how I got it:

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f3052f1f5b.jpg

I suspect the OP's crown is an EKLA. Purely based on statistics, though, as EKLA crowns were more or less standard here with the major builders.

I knew it, this Gazelle came with a bonus!
"De Witte Kat, fits perfectly in your bottom bracket shell"
Definitely gonna keep this one :)
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9c8f559f66.jpg

The West near Marconiplein. I hadn't heard of them but they are right around the corner of Central Station. I pass that once a week for dancing lessons in the evening! Seems like I will have to take a look some time.
Usually I go to SimpleBikeStore or Zwaan Bikes which is on the other side of Central Station.

------

thanks so much [MENTION=173992]non-fixie[/MENTION]! :thumb:

---
[MENTION=473145]alexnagui[/MENTION] -

if the Gabelkrone be EKLA it should be so marked on its underparts -

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...450c56bbb5.jpg


-----