Information Needed: Meca Dural Andre Leducq
03-22-22, 07:58 AM
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Information Needed: Meca Dural Andre Leducq
Hi everyone! Nabbed myself a 50s (or thereabouts) aluminum frame. While I've found some information on Meca Dural, been quite hard to find info on versions with the Andre Leducq branding on it. In the process of cleaning and refurbishing it, but also curious on generally what a frame would look like in pristine condition. Would there have been a coat of paint that is now gone?
Can send pictures with the help of a mod
Can send pictures with the help of a mod
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03-22-22, 12:38 PM
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Congratulations on a great acquisition! André Leducq was one of the great inter-war cyclists, having won Paris-Roubaix in 1928 and two Tour de France (1930 and 1932). These sucesses came with the Alcyon team but in the late 1930s he switched to Mericer over a salary dispute. While with Mericier the team contested certain events under the André Leducq banner. He retired with the advent of World War II.
Mercier reportedly manufactured the post war Meca Dural frames, so Léducq's pre-war association with the firm is the obvious tie. I probably don't know any more about the frames than you've already discovered. FWIW, of the dozen or so that I've seen, the finish has always been naked aluminum. I've seen a few with Leduq badging. Some have obviously been recently polished but the on samples with what appears to untouched finish, the patina level of corrosion on the steel fork matches the oxidation of the aluminum and there are no visible traces of paint around the head badges or in crevices of the frame.
Mercier reportedly manufactured the post war Meca Dural frames, so Léducq's pre-war association with the firm is the obvious tie. I probably don't know any more about the frames than you've already discovered. FWIW, of the dozen or so that I've seen, the finish has always been naked aluminum. I've seen a few with Leduq badging. Some have obviously been recently polished but the on samples with what appears to untouched finish, the patina level of corrosion on the steel fork matches the oxidation of the aluminum and there are no visible traces of paint around the head badges or in crevices of the frame.
03-22-22, 12:52 PM
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Thank you for an incredibly detailed response! I was thinking of a paint job, but will probably keep the naked aluminum instead and touch up the lettering.
03-23-22, 09:22 AM
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Pix would be nice!
You (jediwaffles) can upload them into your profile page here (C&V Bikeforums) and then some helpful member can share them to this thread.
Once you have 10 posts (4 more to go) you can upload them yourself with no hiccups.
You (jediwaffles) can upload them into your profile page here (C&V Bikeforums) and then some helpful member can share them to this thread.
Once you have 10 posts (4 more to go) you can upload them yourself with no hiccups.
03-23-22, 09:31 AM
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I had to look up Meca Dural. Wow. I'd be so tempted to "go ape" with the aluminum polish and make the whole thing glow...
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Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
03-23-22, 11:41 AM
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03-24-22, 02:34 AM
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Great Score!
That is a pretty amazing find! Those are very interesting frames in the relatively long history of French aluminum bicycle building - kind of the early precursor to the Vitus 979 that I am currently building up.
If you go to https://restoringvintagebicycles.com/, the author has a few articles about the Camille Daudon Mixte version of that frame that she has restored. Using hers as an example, I’m pretty certain that yours would not have worn a coat of paint. I look forward to seeing your build!
If you go to https://restoringvintagebicycles.com/, the author has a few articles about the Camille Daudon Mixte version of that frame that she has restored. Using hers as an example, I’m pretty certain that yours would not have worn a coat of paint. I look forward to seeing your build!
03-24-22, 06:04 AM
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Yes that is an amazing find, I look forward to hearing and seeing more as you clean it up and build it up. detailed photos of some of the unique lugs and connections would be great!
03-24-22, 06:07 AM
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Will definitely do! I'll post a build update soon- just missing a bottom bracket (the one on the bike is cracked sadly) and currently hunting around for some nice wingnuts and other little tidbits and the bike should be rideable after.
03-24-22, 10:31 AM
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what are the particulars of the BB you need?
I have one from a Peugeot of a similar vintage, for cottered crankset, I can send you, depending....if it's what you need AND I can find it!
I have one from a Peugeot of a similar vintage, for cottered crankset, I can send you, depending....if it's what you need AND I can find it!
03-24-22, 10:59 AM
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That is a pretty amazing find! Those are very interesting frames in the relatively long history of French aluminum bicycle building - kind of the early precursor to the Vitus 979 that I am currently building up.
If you go to https://restoringvintagebicycles.com/, the author has a few articles about the Camille Daudon Mixte version of that frame that she has restored. Using hers as an example, I’m pretty certain that yours would not have worn a coat of paint. I look forward to seeing your build!
If you go to https://restoringvintagebicycles.com/, the author has a few articles about the Camille Daudon Mixte version of that frame that she has restored. Using hers as an example, I’m pretty certain that yours would not have worn a coat of paint. I look forward to seeing your build!
Is there a connection between Camille Daudon and Meca Dural besides them both being French?
03-24-22, 11:47 AM
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fantastic find and it appears to be in lovely condition. a wonderful project to restore. ten years ago, I was seeing frames like these go for dirt cheap on ebay.fr; it seemed like collectors were overlooking them in favor of the much rarer Caminade Caminargent frames. the last time I checked, the values were going up.
one question for T-Mar - I've seen these frames with both silver-colored lugs, and ones that appear to be made of bronze or brass. do you have any insight into the difference between the two?
one question for T-Mar - I've seen these frames with both silver-colored lugs, and ones that appear to be made of bronze or brass. do you have any insight into the difference between the two?
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Check out www.djcatnap.com for articles on vintage Japanese & French bicycle restorations, components and history.
Check out www.djcatnap.com for articles on vintage Japanese & French bicycle restorations, components and history.
03-24-22, 11:08 PM
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Update: I found the BB I was thinking of-- the spindle is in OK condition but not Stronglight branded, only mark stamped is a quite small (but detailed) Peugeot Lion with a "0" next to it, and it's 134mm, asymmetrical.
The cups are less good: fixed has 2 flats and there's some pitting in the bearing track; the adjustable has a 6-sided center (not 8) lockring with 6 notches and "coining" on the edges, this cup's bearing track is better than the fixed, might be usable depending on how much you allow.
LMK if interested in pix, PM me.
The cups are less good: fixed has 2 flats and there's some pitting in the bearing track; the adjustable has a 6-sided center (not 8) lockring with 6 notches and "coining" on the edges, this cup's bearing track is better than the fixed, might be usable depending on how much you allow.
LMK if interested in pix, PM me.
03-25-22, 01:10 AM
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Yeah - that's a pretty great site. The author has a real eye for interesting bicycles and does a good job of researching and writing about her projects.
As for Meca Dural, as I understand it, they were a bit like Vitus, in that they created the construction technology, and would then build frames for other manufacturers and constructeurs, such as Mercier and Daudon. Pretty cool stuff - I kind of want to track one of them down after doing a bit of research.
As for Meca Dural, as I understand it, they were a bit like Vitus, in that they created the construction technology, and would then build frames for other manufacturers and constructeurs, such as Mercier and Daudon. Pretty cool stuff - I kind of want to track one of them down after doing a bit of research.
