Unknown Frame with S/N on Downtube?
04-23-24, 05:31 AM
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Unknown Frame with S/N on Downtube?
I just picked up a bike at an estate sale because it intrigued me and now I'm trying to figure out what I've got. The frame was painted over (not tremendously well) in white but a small scrape shows red underneath. I tossed it by the folks at the Vintage_bicycles sub-****** and a few of them thought it was mid-seventies French but probably not Peugeot (maybe Motobicane Mirage?). One major clue is that the serial number is on the downtube, down near the crank (vertical). Unfortunately, I'm a newbie and can't post pictures.
The bike came with Shimano 600 Arabesque front and rear derailleurs and shifters and gold Mafac 2000 centerpull brakes. The wheels are Rigida Chrolux held on with wingnut hubs. General consensus on ****** is that few or none of the components are original.
Anybody know what (possibly French) frames from the '70's (maybe) had S/N's on the downtube?
The bike came with Shimano 600 Arabesque front and rear derailleurs and shifters and gold Mafac 2000 centerpull brakes. The wheels are Rigida Chrolux held on with wingnut hubs. General consensus on ****** is that few or none of the components are original.
Anybody know what (possibly French) frames from the '70's (maybe) had S/N's on the downtube?
04-23-24, 06:17 AM
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I saw your post at that other place.
Doesn't look particularly french to me; seatstay tops, rear drops, and fork crown look of oriental origin.
What (if any) threading is marked on the bb cups?
(Brakes are definitely french.)
Doesn't look particularly french to me; seatstay tops, rear drops, and fork crown look of oriental origin.
What (if any) threading is marked on the bb cups?
(Brakes are definitely french.)
04-23-24, 08:24 AM
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OP did upload pics
https://www.bikeforums.net/g/picture/33475395
Gallery,
https://www.bikeforums.net/g/album/33475394
https://www.bikeforums.net/g/picture/33475395
Gallery,
https://www.bikeforums.net/g/album/33475394
04-23-24, 08:37 AM
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Maybe it's just the angle of the pic, but the steerer tube looks bent backwards.
Have you checked for frame damage? Running your fingers along the top and down tubes, feeling for imperfections & crimping?
Have you checked for frame damage? Running your fingers along the top and down tubes, feeling for imperfections & crimping?
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04-23-24, 12:25 PM
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^beat me to it^
if you can read all the numbers (I can't) , perhaps check the "Asian Serial Numbers" thread and see what turns up:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ber-guide.html
also looks to have had guides on the RH side of the TT for "split housing", but these have been drewed off. There's something on the NDS BB cup but can't read it, that should explain the threading and provide a BIG clue
if you can read all the numbers (I can't) , perhaps check the "Asian Serial Numbers" thread and see what turns up:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ber-guide.html
also looks to have had guides on the RH side of the TT for "split housing", but these have been drewed off. There's something on the NDS BB cup but can't read it, that should explain the threading and provide a BIG clue
Last edited by unworthy1; 04-23-24 at 12:34 PM.
04-23-24, 02:48 PM
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It doesn't look French to me; more like a bike-boom era Japanese bike. Have you checked the bottom bracket cups and/or steer tube for English versus metric thread? The MAFAC brakes are incongruous with the rest of the components, and as @rando_couche noted, probably worth more than the rest of the bike.
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04-23-24, 03:25 PM
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04-23-24, 03:30 PM
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^beat me to it^
if you can read all the numbers (I can't) , perhaps check the "Asian Serial Numbers" thread and see what turns up:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ber-guide.html
also looks to have had guides on the RH side of the TT for "split housing", but these have been drewed off. There's something on the NDS BB cup but can't read it, that should explain the threading and provide a BIG clue
if you can read all the numbers (I can't) , perhaps check the "Asian Serial Numbers" thread and see what turns up:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ber-guide.html
also looks to have had guides on the RH side of the TT for "split housing", but these have been drewed off. There's something on the NDS BB cup but can't read it, that should explain the threading and provide a BIG clue
adjustable bottom bracket cup is of a pattern employed by Tange and by Sakae Ringyo; since it is marked Tange will go out on a limb and suggest it may be from that manufacturer
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