Gitane Grand Sport
antonyfromoz
Posts: 482
Hi all,
I have taken my old Gitane over from Australia to the UK and am unsure what to do with it. This is a bike i bought new back in the mid-70s but it has stood in my parents garage with no use for about 20 years or so. In order to pack it into as small a package as possible (and because the original chromed steel rims were pretty useless especially when braking) I have only taken the hubs with me and i am also missing a seatpost (original was chromed steel, heavy and pretty rusty) and bars (same as the seatpost). My questions are mainly concerning whether or not to repaint the frame, which is in overall okay condition but with some areas that were scraped clear of paint by my use of a rear rack and general wear and tear but all of the rust appears to be purely on the surface. The other questions I have are concerning any places where i can buy a period seatpost and bars at a low price and whether or not i am better off getting new rims attached to the original Normanby hubs or buying some inexpensive 27" alloy rimmed wheels with a freewheel. Sorry for the long post - any suggestions will be appreciated! :oops:
BTW i know that this is just a very basic and inexpensive frame and so not worth spending lots of money but i obviously have had a long attachment to it and might like to take part in vintage bike rides with it at some time in the future.
I have taken my old Gitane over from Australia to the UK and am unsure what to do with it. This is a bike i bought new back in the mid-70s but it has stood in my parents garage with no use for about 20 years or so. In order to pack it into as small a package as possible (and because the original chromed steel rims were pretty useless especially when braking) I have only taken the hubs with me and i am also missing a seatpost (original was chromed steel, heavy and pretty rusty) and bars (same as the seatpost). My questions are mainly concerning whether or not to repaint the frame, which is in overall okay condition but with some areas that were scraped clear of paint by my use of a rear rack and general wear and tear but all of the rust appears to be purely on the surface. The other questions I have are concerning any places where i can buy a period seatpost and bars at a low price and whether or not i am better off getting new rims attached to the original Normanby hubs or buying some inexpensive 27" alloy rimmed wheels with a freewheel. Sorry for the long post - any suggestions will be appreciated! :oops:
BTW i know that this is just a very basic and inexpensive frame and so not worth spending lots of money but i obviously have had a long attachment to it and might like to take part in vintage bike rides with it at some time in the future.
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Comments
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T-cut, degrease, hot car shampoo wash then polish for the frame: gets superficial crud off but leaves retro patina.
Quick Google for 'bars etc - loads of this stuff (or near as dammit) kicking around. Planet X have new period Quill stems and 'bars, SJS will sort you as well.
Same for wheels.
Obviously new cables and pads all round, probs a new chain as well.Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0
