gitaneusa.com :: View topic - Anyone know where I can find a fork for a Tdf 230 mm?

Superollicks

Hello,
I bought "Cheap TdF on ebay" (in this forum Sep 03)! Now it's got new tubular tires, bearings, etc. and I've cleaned it up----c'est magnifique!! (here's a photo). It even came with a bell---great!

I have another Tdf from the early 70s---it's has a tall frame and needs a new front fork--I think 230 mm. I've looked extensively online for the past couple of months--no luck. Does anyone have any ideas where I might have better luck finding one?

thanks for the forum!

James Boyd Brent
Minneapolis, MN

greyhundguy

James,
Contact Wayne Bingham at Velo Classique. He has some all chrome replacement forks with loooong steer tubes. They are for 27" wheels but will work fine if you have Mafac Racer or Competition brakes which have a long reach. His # is 540 338-8376

Here is a photo of mine which I got for my Interclub build. I'm leaving mine all chrome but you can paint to match your bike if you like. It's 245mm and I am going to have to trim it slightly.

He has some 100% original Gitane Reynolds 531 forks but they are all short steer tubes. If you know a quality frame builder maybe he could replace it. I doubt it would be a cheap repair though.

Jay

verktyg

I happen to have in my possession a late 60s to early 70s Gitane Tour de France fork with a 230mm steering tube. Cool

The chrome is in very good condition, threads are good too. The dropouts are Simplex forged and it has a flat top Wagner fork crown.

Gitane used those crowns plus at 3 varieties of Nervex crowns on their Tour de France, Super Corsa and other top line models. It was probably a matter of availability.

Here's a painted Gitane TdF fork with a Wagner crown. Notice this fork decal has the old 102 TdF model number.

This Super Corsa used the same Wagner crown.

Send me a PM (Private Message) if interested.

scozim

Ok, Chas - what parts don't you have? Wink

Superollicks

Jay and Chas,

That's a really great help! Thank you for your information. Here's quick photo of the project. It's a nice frame but it's had several coats of house paint slapped on over the years!

cheers,

James

verktyg

James,

Unless you have the proper headset or want to restore this bike, You can probably find a British threaded fork and get an inexpensive Tange headset to fit if you just want a rider.

British headsets will fit into the head tube for use with an inch treaded fork. I suggest that you have the mounting surfaces faced for good alignment.

Tange sells inch size headsets starting at under $12.00 for the Passage model! Shocked

I like the Tange Levin model which you can find for under $25.00. They have rubber seals and look old school too.

BTW, someone already modified the Simplex dropout so that most other brands of derailleurs will fit.