I bought this bike a few weeks ago for $75 not really knowing what it was. The seller told me he had an old French Bike. He said it was a Gitane which, of course I know about. I asked him to send me some pictures and from the head badge which I had never seen before I could tell it was quite old. I am basing the year on the crankset believed to be original circa 1958 Campagnolo. I have since been told it’s quite a rare crank. It has the raised pedal platforms on the crank arm and still has the original caps over the pedal holes. Unfortunately, the inner chain ring is missing, but I think that can be easily remedied. I am seriously considering restoring the bike. It has had a powdercoat repaint some years ago. I’m pretty certain the rims aren’t original as they are Weinmann clinchers. One hub is a Normandy and the other is a Maillard. I also think the Simplex front derailleur is not original. One obstacle to having a professional repaint is that I believe no one is making replicas of what would’ve been the correct decals for this bike though I think they would look like this at least on the down tube (a gentleman on the Gitane Facebook page sent me this photo of his bike).
Here are some photos of my bike. I have since removed the headlight and generator set and replaced the rear tube.
Here are some photos of my bike. I have since removed the headlight and generator set and replaced the rear tube.
