verktyg 

"....proche mais pas de cigare"

Definitely French, definitely not a Gitane... Why?

While Gitane used those style of Bocoma lugs on their lower priced models during the late 60's to early 70's, they only used that type of swagging on the seat stay tops in the mid to late 60's. The chrome plated stamped steel fork crowns appeared on some lower priced models around the end of the bike boom - 1973-74.

Gitane like most French manufacturers only used forged dropouts and fork ends on their better quality models back then. A Gitane with forged dropouts would have had better quality lugs and fork crown. Also, from the mid 60's until maybe the 1980's Gitane didn't use brazed on derailleur cable guides on the top of the BB.

It's probably not a full Reynolds 531 frame but the 3 main tubes may be. A frame with a 531 seat tube would (or should) take a 26.4mm seat post.

I've seen those lugs and seat stay treatment on other brands but since this thread is about Gitanes....

All that said, it's probably a decent riding bike so enjoy it. Just consider it a "bātard"...

And BTW, disregard any numbers stamped into the frame. They are either not traceable or meaningless or both.



verktyg