gitaneusa.com :: View topic - Need Help on identifying a GITANE 3-speed!!!

SHELLSHOCK

Ok, im new to the site and new to the idea of restoring a bicycle so bare with me please.

Im 33 now and my father bought me this bike when i was around 6-7 years old. I was riding it and the fork post broke where it goes thru the frame. No more riding it Crying or Very sad

So now that I am 33 I would love to restore this bike. I do not have a photo of it in one solid unit but I do have photos of it in individual pieces.

I would love to at least be able to identify the model and possibly the year. From there it might be easier to restore it!!

Ill add a photo of the frame to see what people can tell me and then go from there. I placed the frame on my sons 31 1/2 inch skateboard to show how small the frame is.

Thank You in advance for any info you can provide!!

paul

SHELLSHOCK

Rims and Tires

- Hutchinson tires
-made in Europe and labeled 28-440 & 500*28

Rims

- Not labeled but measure 17 3/4 inches in DIA
- tubes are labeled 20*1 3/8 inches

Chain shifter?

please excuse the name ignorance for parts...i am new to this!!

- HURET made in France
- Also labeled with "
SVPITO

kind of warn label so hopefully that is close enough to help you!!

Chain

- 43 1/2 inches long
- labeled SEDIS

Brake Calipers

- stamped "Made in western-germany by Weinmann
- stamped Weinmann type 730

Brake handles

- Made in France
- stamped "Racer B-s6dg"
warn labels again so hopefully the B-s6dg is correct

Gooseneck

- stamped "PIVO"

Gear shift handle

- Stamped "HURET" "Made in France"

more photos

SHELLSHOCK

Any info would be greatly appreciated Very Happy

Ive been browsing the forum and ive read a couple post that say restoring three speeds may not be worth it?
I do not care about value or anything like that....this is more for my own history and to restore it for my son to ride it!!

Please help!

verktyg

It's most likely a bike built between 1970 and 1974. A competent frame builder can replace the steering tube in the fork and repaint it but be prepared to spend at least $100.

Bikes like this have been showing up of eBay every other month.

Good luck.

Paul Wiseman

Hi Shellshock

Good to see you're under no illusions about the restored value of gitanes to start with. The biggest difficulty is going through all the catalogues and trying to identify what original parts you may require. Most of the stuff in your pics looks like it is the original gear though. You'll need to take that fork to a frame builder to have a new steerer tube attatched. The good news about that is you'll be able to go with a standard 1" steerer and thus eliminate any future stem size problems. Most people around here woul recommend that you do not use the original Pivo stem. They have a history of breaking. A good painter should be able to match the colour from the original frame, but getting the foil decals may be a problem. Lokk at some recent threads. Someone was working on foil decals recently. Above all, have fun, and welcome to gitane nerds inc.

wisey

SHELLSHOCK

Verk and Paul....thx much for the responses...I appreciate it. The info you gave does help very much. At least now I have a path to start down with the fork builder suggestion. Also, love the site!!! Ive been browsing and found lots of helpfull things already. For instance, using tinfoil to shine up mildly rusted crome parts...what an interesting idea!

I live in Saginaw Michigan...thats in the United States for those who dont know, and I have already tried to locate a good fork builder and a potental candidate for the repainting of the bike, no luck so far though but im not gonna give up!! If anyone knows of shops or people in my area that they would suggest...please, do tell Wink

Thank You again for the response and I hope to hear more of the "tricks of the trade" from you all!!

Paul Wiseman

have a look at www.frameforum.net
might be able to find someone local

SHELLSHOCK

Well, I found a guy / bike builder who is going to repair the fork for me. Im also having him fix up the rims, by this i mean straightening them and ect. After a couple of hours chatting with him I figured out the decals and tires are going to be the hardest things for me to find. PLEASE HELP!!!!

Hope to hear from someone with the decal info or even tire info. If you need to know what tires were on it from stock just scroll up to the parts list I gave!!

SHELLSHOCK

Well, i got the forks welded and all fixed up. I also got the rims straightened and polished up a bit. The bike is all back together but im still having one major problem. I cannot find tires for it and it desperately needs new tires....they are dry-rotted BAD and not even worth messin with!! If anyone knows where i might be able to find tires for it i would greatly appreciate it. I tried hutchinson tires website but everything they have is current stuff. well....i hope someone has some insight or this is gonna be a waist of time if i cannot get tires lol!!

sandranian · Site Admin

I don't know about the availability of those. I have heard rumors of difficult french sizes...but then I haven't really ever needed small tires...

What is the size? I cut and pasted this from your first post...Maybe Chas can help?

Rims and Tires

- Hutchinson tires
-made in Europe and labeled 28-440 & 500*28

Rims

- Not labeled but measure 17 3/4 inches in DIA
- tubes are labeled 20*1 3/8 inches

vanhelmont

Sheldon Brown didn't know where to get them, so I'm guessing you won't find them in the US.

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/440.html

but I googled "500a pneu" and found this:

http://www.cyclable.com/product_info.php?products_id=554

These are a bit wider. They should fit the rims, but check the width of your fork and stays.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-mitchelin-city-500a-bike-cycle-tricycle-tyres-2-tubes_W0QQitemZ280245462268QQihZ018QQcategoryZ27954QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em122

SHELLSHOCK

Wow thanks you guys for the help. Im gonna check into both of those links and see what happens with it!! Im glad i came back to you all for info!! Very Happy