gitaneusa.com :: View topic - Erik's @ 1970 Gitane Gran Sport Restoration Completed

edorwart · Last edited by edorwart on Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:15 pm; edited 1 time in total

I aquired this bike from my 2nd Cousin who owned it since @ 1971-1972 and was the 2nd owner. The bike has not been ridden in 15-20 years and was haning in his garage. Some of the parts were not original but overall the bike was in decent shape for its age.

Many would just have given it a tune up and polish and got it back on the road. I on the other hand wanted to undertake a restoration. I have restored 2 classic cars in the past. My experience shows that your 2nd restoration is always better than the 1st so I might as well start with a bike that is not quite so rare.

I have a habit of trying to make things a little better than they originally were, so some of the parts will be upgraded with higher quality but still period correct parts.

Here is what I am starting with.

This is where the bike is at today.

The original decals were carefully removed as sent to Greg Softley in Australia in the hopes he can reproduce the ones that are not yet available.

The frame was media blasted then primed with self etching primer and painted.

I did find via a Gitane USA forum member that Velo Classique has the Seat Tube Decals I need so now all that is needed in the 2 Fork decals and I am good to go! If anyone knows anyone that may have these decals please let me know.

The original paint was quite faded as I learned when the decals were removed and I could see what it originally looked like. The repainted frame looks darker but that is in part due to the different lighting conditions at the time of photography.

As I said I will be upgrading the bike so I have a set of Simplex Criterium Shifter and Derailleurs coming to replace what would have originaly been Simplex Prestige.

Also new Mafac Racer brakes and Shifters are on the way.

I plan on keeping 27" X 1.25" wheels but will most likely have a new set built using Normady Competition Hubs, I would love to find a set of NOS Rigida 27" x 1.25" 36 hole rims for the build but I may have to go with a more modern aluminum rim, as so far none have been found, we will see.

More images and information will be posted along the way!

Thanks for looking.

Erik

sandranian · Site Admin

Wow. That paint job looks great. Congratulations...this thing will look better than new when done!

edorwart

overfedlonghairedgnome

Erik

I just caught up with your project. It is a very charming bike and I like the color, which you have replicated very well. How are the decals coming? I have Greg Softley also replicating a decal for my Gitane project so hopefully he is busy at work!
What did you choose for brake cable housing? Were you able to get the ferrules to fit?

Best Regards - Jim

greyhundguy

Did you use the Waders to keep from getting paint all over your feet? There sure is a lot on the floor...giggle Wink

Jay

edorwart

edorwart

edorwart

Coming along well, bottom bracket and crank is back on. I am waiting for a bunch of parts to arrive, hopefully Monday then more pictures will soon follow.

I spent the afternoon carefully and completely disassembling the freewheel and cleaned and re-greased it. After 20 years of non-use the grease had turned to clay!

Now it is smooth and quite and clean, very satisfying indeed!

Does anyone know wher I can get some new, NOS or really nice used headset washers? (need 2 possibly 3) I have found some keyed one thant I could probably make work buth they are smooth and do not have the ribbing that the originals have.

I have attached a picture below. Any leads would be greatly appreciated.

Erik

edorwart

Moving along, the Deraileurs / Shifters arrived today, just need to find a Claw for the rear Simplex Derailleur.

I will be using white Gore Ride-On cables, I use them on my Cervelo and they work great, plus they come in white and the coated cable will help with the explosed cables not scatching the paint!

Parts I am still looking for:

Simplex rear derailleur hanger,
Headset spacer / washer see photo above.
Kickstand.

sandranian · Site Admin

Still can't get over the paint job. Great work. The simplex derailleur and shifters...are those NOS? Did you do any polish work on them? In particular, the seat tube clamp on the front derailleur looks incredible: Better than new.

greyhundguy

edorwart · Last edited by edorwart on Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:11 am; edited 1 time in total

edorwart

More items for the project arrived today.

The NOS hubs were a great deal (I think so) at $53.00 from Belguim. I disassembled them as the old gresae was a little, well, old! All cleaned up and repacked with Dura-Ace grease. They will be shipped off to Harris Cycles to get build up to a set of more modern 27" Alloy Rims. I would have liked to stay with a period correct rim but at this point I have not found any and will keep searching and when I can get my hands on some exccellent period rims build them up on a set of Normandy Competition hubs.

The rear derailleur will be installed when I get the conversion claw from Velo Classique this week. The Grand Sport De Luxe used a Simplex Prestigue claw mount originally and I do not know if the Simplex Criterium every came in a claw mount but can be converted to one.

greyhundguy

Erik,
It's funny that the box illustrates two different flange designs along with the drawing showing the skewer lever on the wrong side of the rear hub. Artist licence I guess???

Jay

edorwart