Dan Chase

Hi Guys,
Picked up the late `70`s early `80`s Lejeune last week, mostly because of the super cool period race fittings - check out original drillium cranks and brake levers, plus the wired and soldered spokes.

Havn`t had a chance to pull it aparts but from the looks of it, its fitted with Mafac Racer center pull barkes and levers, Sakae Silster cranks and post, Lejeune pantographed stem and a full simplex prestige groupset (plastic fittings currently intact) - wheels are campagnolo hub/rims with wired/soldered spokes.

Its not a Le Carre made team frame but looks like a later `80`s version, I figured it was a club racers until I checked the serial number - only number on the whole frame is "00" on the bb housing, no other marks anywhere so figure it might be criterium special or similar?

Pretty sure someone here can school me, thanks, Dan.

repechage

Serial numbers are useless.
graphics point to 1970's
if it fits, should be a good handling bike.
front hub is an exchange.
crank set too
these have value, best value is to perform a complete service, adjust the saddle, confirm the stem and bars work as to fit and ride it.
paint should polish up well, protect the graphics as you go, no clear coat.

inspext the front mech for cracks in the delrin.
I would be looking for an alternate material replacement.

juvela

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frame appears 1976-77

Japan chainset and pedals would not have been OEM

member CV-6 shall be along momentarily with far more & better information for you

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smd4

I knew a camp by that name...

schwim

I broke out in cold sweats when I saw the thread title.

CV-6 

That pretty much covers it. Agree with juvela the frame is post 75..not Carré as the OP already surmised. A good 531 Lejeune could be equipped just about any way the client wanted. The tie job on the spokes is one I have never seen.

It should be a nice ride.

T-Mar

I'd be moving the date up to at least 1978 on the basis of the company name on the tubing decal. It became TI REYNOLDS LIMITED, as shown on the subject decal, in very late 1977. Prior to that, the gold band at the bottom read REYNOLDS TUBE CO. LTD. There's no Reynolds 531 tretubi model in the 1978 LeJeune catalog, so that would push things up to at least 1979. The 1980 and 1981 price lists mention a Model 101, Course Spidel Sport., with 3 tubes Reynolds 531 DB.

I don't think many components are OEM. That rear SImplex derailleur was introduced for 1981 but was bottom of the line, so I wouldn't expect it on a mid-range frame. Similarly, the push rod Simplex front derailleur seems too low end. As previously noted by juvela, the Japanese crankset and pedals also seem out of place. Campagnolo rims are definitely too new. The only major component which might be OEM are the brakes. If so, they should be new enough to have a date stamped onto the back of the arms.

Dan Chase

I`ll probably completely strip and partial paint - the red is now very dull all over, sunbleached and very chipped/scrapped in places - definatly the wrong side of patina.... Dan.