Bernard Carre just finished

[Gallego]

Just finished building up this Bernard Carre using Dura Ace Crane groupset. There doesn't seem to be too much information out there on B Carre bikes other than to say that he built for gentleman racers in France. It's definitely a fast ride especially for it's age (I think early 70s given the headset it had on it when I bought it.

I built her for Eroica but didn't quite make it so will use her next year hopefully but will probably then move her on - any ideas on what something like this is worth (61cm frame)?!?

Also, I did all the restore myself - was totally amazed at the quality of first generation Dura Ace - the metal they used was first class!!! One thing that I would like to do is polish out the B Carre signature (I powder coated the frame for the effect) - is this just a case of polishing back or more complicated?

Thanks guys

 

[Midlife]

Nice . First gen Dura Ace........ Shimano's finest.

 

[Gallego]

Re:

It really is. Every single moving part cleaned up to as new condition - only the seat post needed polishing and that was to get rid of over tight fitment marks! I was torn between Crane and Campag - so the Campag looks nicer but boy does the Dura Ace work - Shimano really did take the competition to them!!!

 

[widowmaker]

Re:

Lovely bike

Lovely Porsches

 

[Gallego]

Re:

Thanks - bikes, cars and watches - standard male pleasures :facepalm:

 

[Nob]

Lacking decals.......

 

[Gallego]

Re:

Bernard Carre bikes didn’t carry decals - just the name on the top lugg

 

[Jamiedyer]

A really lovely build.
Congratulations on a great job done. Ride and enjoy!

Jamie

 

[Gallego]

Re:

Thank you Jamie...very kind comment!

 

[BretonDave]

Re:

Hi, Lovely resto - I do love the early Dura-ace.

Not too sure about losing the B. Carre signature - he's a very respected frame builder - do you really want to lose the bikes' only provenance?

Excerpt from Classic Rendevous:

"Bernard Carre was a legendary frame-builder, based in the town of Montreuil just on the eastern side of the Paris peripherique - the Paris inner ring-road."
"Although his work is very well known, and he was a prolific builder - what I call a two-a-day man. - as he seemed to have the ability to make frames quickly and to a well tried and tested recipe, as much of his production was destined for use by the leading French Pro riders, and it is known that he built most of Anquetil's frames in the 50s, as well as Geminiani's, Anglade's, to name but a few."
"His trade frames were workmanlike and designed and built to do a job of work, they rode well...but his personal custom frames are rarer and show more attention to detail and finish."
"He left his trade mark - his name stamped into the top-eyes - on many of his frames, but he never seemed to have down-tube transfers."
"Carre seemed to have a long working career; some say he was building in the 40s, and it appears he was still building in the late 80s even..."
Norris Lockley