purpurite

Came across this one recently and have been trying to decipher what it is. Looks to be 60s era, and possibly French, but I'm stumped after that.

Nervar Sport cranks, Ideale saddle, Campy shifters, Suntour GT rear derailleur, among others in this ecclectic collection of parts. Working on getting better photos, too, but for now, this is what I'm working with. This it's worth picking up for a project?



SOLVED: early 70s Jeunet Captivante (French)

juvela

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frame -

head lugs) BOCAMA 61/I

seat lug: BOCAMA pattern R

crown: BOCAMA

dropouts: NERVEX Ref.1019

bottom bracket shell: possibly Gargatte

pump pegs: NERVEX Ref. 845

kitting -

SAMIR SAMINOX wheel rims

ALGI seat binder

REWAX MD bottom bracket assembly

possible original gear ensemble may have been Campag Valentino

Weinmann 605 brakes unlikely to be original

appears original pedals Lyotard model 36R

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date: no later than '72

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identity: not one of the big five

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purpurite

Impressive list!

(actually, that's rather ridiculous that you were able to do that from those poor photos. I'm slack-jawed.)

juvela

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tip -

drive side pedal is a replacement

it may be a 9/16" thread forced into a 14 X 1.25 threaded crank arm

should this be the case ye shall require the services of a body builder for removal...

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manufacturer catalogue page for the cycle's NERVAR Sport chainset

somewhat unusual for a chainset maker to offer a set in both cottered and cotterless version

another such is the OFMEGA Forgiato



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purpurite

I've chased down the rear derailleur to be a SunTour V GT Luxe (1500) shown here. The one shown looks to be considerably newer than expected, if that site is accurate, showing this as a 1980 model. Eclectic parts, for sure.

eeuuugh

A few years ago I came across a Flandria which looked similar. Same color, cottered cranks, similar seat cluster, mostly missing decals... Took a while to figure out it was a Flandria.

USAZorro

Looks like the Pivo stem on a lower range Peugeot I picked up not long ago. I'm unsure if what I have is late 60s or early 70s.

purpurite

I know these aren't terribly helpful, and the seller has yet to find a serial number anywhere on the frame (under the paint), but here are a few more. The rattle can paint on this right now is hiding a lot, and I'm beginning to think this was a lower end bike.

Any more guesses on the brand? I'm still not coming up with any matches.

USAZorro

fwiw - I have a Peugeot XX-08 (I have no idea of the model, but I think from the serial number it's late 60s) that has those exact same cable guides/stops (just not on the top tube as it had centerpull brakes). The position of the pump pegs and the chroming has me wondering if it is some model of Peugeot (even though juvela said that it isn't). Also a feature of the entry level Peugeots are axle cotters with black ends, and also the Pivo stem and headset, dimpled steel rims and Normandy high flange hubs are consistent with some Peugeots that I've seen. Of course, between the repainting and the Campagnolo and SunTour parts on there, there's no guarantee that anything that's not welded to the frame is original.

The serial number and seat post size will definitely help to rule things in or out.

Not sure what your market is like there, but I wouldn't expect to see that listed for more than $100 here - possibly a little more if the saddle isn't trashed.

purpurite

Totally agree. Lots of French parts on it, but odd Campy parts, and then the 1980-ish rear derailleur are confusing me. The owner has no idea about bikes, and has no history on this. I'm trying to steer him to finding a serial number, but it's slow going. I'm starting to believe the juice isn't worth the squeeze on this one.

USAZorro

Serial number is most likely on one of the rear dropouts or on the bottom bracket shell. The other place it could be is on the seat tube near the top, but I think we'd have seen that in pictures. That SunTour derailleur is absolutely NOT going to be original. It's either replacing a Huret that they couldn't stand, or a Simplex that either fell apart or which the jockey wheels cracked off of.

purpurite

I had to describe what the bottom bracket shell was to the seller, with photos for help. You can see the measuring tape on the seat tube that he has no idea what he's measuring. I'm lucky to get these photos at all.

We'll see if anything is visible under that rattle can paint.

Hummer

Jeunet

purpurite

Nice find... I started searching for Jeunets around 1970-1975 and turned up this Jeunet Franche-Comte. The head tube details are identical, as are the bottob bracket from what I can see. The only difference is those odd rear dropouts. The fork even matches up! Looks like an early 70s Jeunet.









This one is really clapped out and the components are all over the map, and I'm wondering if it's worth the restoration. I'm looking for a project hopefully of Italian origins and not French, but this one is kinda interesting for $100.


Hmmm...

juvela

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fine suggestion!

here is a Jeunet-Captivante which lines up even better since it exhibits the pump pegs

the difference here is that the housing stops for the rear brake cable are on the top of the top tube rather than on the underside

lines up quite well otherwise...

​​​​​​https://www.bikeforums.net/22741750-post1.html


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purpurite

Those rear dropouts! I think that's the one!

juvela

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the U.S. agent for Jeunet during the boom era was Beacon Cycle & Supply Co. of Milwaukee WI

during the boom they maintained a branch location to serve the west in Oakland, California

we have lots of Jeunet from this era in the San Francisco Bay Area because of this second location



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purpurite

Milwaukee would fit, as this is located in Chicago.

Should I grab this for a restoration? Looks like a helluva project.

madpogue 

Bias, maybe, but I just don't see the appeal to "restore" a bike-boom-level bike. The frame material is most likely hi-ten at best, and you'd have to have a real soft spot for chrome steel rims with those textured brake tracks. Throw in the, er, mysterious maintenance (no nuts on the crank cotters?), and this has a strong "only a mother could love" feel to it.

Hummer

If you enjoy restoration work, are prepared for the frustrations you will encounter, and are going to ride the resulting bike.

If you are thinking that you can flip the bicycle and make money, well . . .

I am often surprised how well these bike boom restorations ride in spite of the lesser quality frame tubes. I had a 1972 Peugeot PA-10, no Reynolds 531 tubing. That Peugeot rode very nicely.

Hummer

Maybe you can flip it and make money.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126157385667

Vintage Early 1970's Jeunet Franche-Comte Bicycle Good Condition

US $300.00

Located in: Wilmette, Illinois, United States

purpurite

I have been casually looking for something that I can enjoy restoring, as well as use in the subsequent "cos play" events like L'Eroica. Something that you don't see every day, and hopefully something with an Italian heritage. Came across this one this week and the seller immediately came down 75% on his asking price. It's the right size, but I don't think it has the right pedigree for me.

Thanks to everyone for participating in this entertaining game. The historical knowledge of the C&V forum is astonishing.

chain_whipped

Follis 072 GL. Appears parts swapped though there were some equipped with Suntour rear derailleurs from Follis.

oneclick 

If true is a much better find than a Peugeot U08/Gitane GSDL/Mercier 100...

Check the seat-stay tops - is there a crease in the flat bit?

Markeologist

More often than not there is a big difference between asking and selling in this day and age, and really, does anyone ever break even in flipping a full fledged restoration they have done? In reality, its a labor of love…but why put the love into a bike of mediocre pedigree with questionable tubing and stamped dropouts when you can find a bike of much higher quality of same vintage for not much difference in price and that won’t cost much more to restore but that when finished is a jewel that you can truly be proud of and that others will covet. Find a dream bike that needs the attention and place your love there, it will pay better in the long run.