cooperryder

Any recommendations for a headset to use for this frame?

repechage

Measure the excess length of the steerer beyond the head tube. That will provide a useable stack height. Knowing the steerer OD at the crown race seat and the ID for the cups would be good to know.
eliminate the units that need too much stack and or assemblies that would require milling and facing.

cooperryder

I started building up my Gitane and decided to use a very nice all chrome Soma road fork I bought a year or two ago for another bike but didn't use.

I really need about a 215 mm steerer tube for the fork but this Soma is 230 so for this test period it'll have lots of spacers.

I'm going with the bare finish for this test period.

The fork is installed and looks good save the excess of spacers.

Next up hopefully tomorrow will be getting the bottom bracket installed, picking a crank set from my parts bins and going from there.

The threads on the derailer hanger are fine.
I tested a derailer on it and no problem.
Now getting one to shift correctly with that funky hanger modification remains to be seen.

I'm trying to get the bike rolling without spending much.

I'm thinking a golden bronze ish powder coating if all goes well for the test period.

There is a very talented frame builder in the area I'm considering asking to replace the drive side dropout.

Pics to follow.

repechage

If the derailleur you are planning on using has a upper spring and or a “B” screw, assemble it with that and evaluate before applying a finish.

cooperryder

I built up the Gitane after stripping off the bad paint and it's rolling very nicely.

From you guys helpful responses it's a Tour de France or Super Corsa model.

​​​​Of note is more lettering I spotted stamped into the TT just past the seat tube lug. It reads Butted 9/22.
See picture.

Does that indicate the TT thickness?

It is a very smooth riding and stable bike and fits me really well.

My goal was to get it going for a trial period to see if I liked it without spending anything but just using parts on hand.
It came to me as an unknown frame with no fork and terrible paint.

​​​​​​Traditionally I know it should probably have road bars but at nearly 74 I cannot get comfortable on road bars like I used to plus I don't so much care for an aero position to help my speed any longer.

​I'm just out to ride comfortably in a way that suits me and allows me to keep pedaling for a lot more years.

I like it well enough to go ahead and have it powder coated.

I had a nice chrome Soma fork previously tried on another bike that I installed on it.

Also I used 650b wheels / tires I previously used on another bike.

While having it powder coated I'll take the fork to a bike shop to have it cut to fit the frame without all those spacers.

Regarding the derailer hanger I tried 4 or 5 different derailers before getting a decent fit and functioning with this vintage Shimano 600 pictured.
It shifts through the gears very well. The design of that derailer for now solved the problem of what to do with that modified derailer hanger.

And yes, I had a gold chain laying around for a while I decided to use. Bling! Bling!

Insidious C. 

[QUOTE=cooperryder;23173111]...Of note is more lettering I spotted stamped into the TT just past the seat tube lug. It reads Butted 9/22.
See picture.

Does that indicate the TT thickness?.../QUOTE]

I can't see it on the pics (my vision isn't great anymore) but I beleive 19/22 was a slightly thicker butted 531 set offered by Reynolds. The 19 and 22 are the wall thickness of the tube, expressed as a gauge. 19 at the end(s) and 22 in the center. Likely a similar mark can be found on the down tube and seat tube.

Slowride79

I commend you for all that you are doing but…..maybe consider something complete? I just doubt you’ll get the same magical handling/ride with such a replacement fork but I leave that to others more knowledgeable.

here is a TDF albeit weathered for $80 in Seattle. Maybe a kind member would help facilitate?

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/b...720644446.html