Late 40s / Early 50s René Herse tip find

Nice to see this edging forward. I also bought the VAR puller - it's very well made, some solid kit and a worthy investment. 🤞 it works out.
 
Success!

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It’s not completely clear in the pic, but the threads aren’t in great condition. I spent a bit of time cleaning them out with a small wire brush, then worked the puller in and out a couple of times with plenty of oil before a final clean out and fresh oil. Even then I wasn’t 100% confident but it was definitely worth putting the extra time in.

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The cranks now need a good scrub with a green Scotch pad in hot soapy water. It looks like most of that scale will scrub off, because I can scrape it off with my thumb nail. Then a light polish with Autosol might be all they need.

I don’t seem to be able to find a 16mm pedal wrench which looks like it’ll be up to the job, so I’m tempted to take the pedals off the spindles and leave them be. I don’t really need to take them out. That said, I will need to use a bench vice at work to free the drive-side bottom bracket cup, so I could clamp the pedal axles between a couple of bits of square section steel to free them.
 

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On the subject of the bottom bracket, I took the non-drive side out to have a look. I have a decent length good quality hook wrench for doing lock rings and it makes a lot of difference when the notches are a bit mangled. Grease is a bit manky but the axle is in serviceable condition. The balls aren’t rusty but I’ll probably replace them.

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There’s also some paper rolled up in the bottom of the seat tube. I can’t see it but I can feel it’s there. I’ll try and fish it out in case it’s something interesting!
 
This bike get's closer and closer to being an original survivor 👍

For the headset, some inner-tube wrapped around the knurled part and good locking mole grips may do it. That must be one of the first Stronglight headsets, and will be good quality.
 
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