1960 Peugeot PX10... Gravster!

[zidortri]

And that's the left "coma" shaped dropout...

 

[zidortri]

Now - if you look carefully at the new rear mech hanger you will immediately spot that this is a Campagnolo - i.e. standard, dropout allowing any modern rear mech to be fitted, and not the original Simplex dropout allowing Simplex rear mech only to be fitted.

Needless to say that that was done on purpose

Yep... Hard to justify, especially after all those considerations about periodically correct, keeping the 50s/60s style, etc...

But I guess this is broadly in line with the "I'm just human" rationale stemming from dealing / tinkering with irrational / irritating solutions such as the sliding gear clamp.

And it also supports the Gravster/Dragster logic.

And as we refer to the Frankenstein nature of the beast I will swiftly slip - with a bit of shame, that the rear dropout spacing has been spread to 130mm

Sorry to the purists.

 

[vcballbat]

Looking at your frame I think it's a 1960-61when Peugeot made the switch from the stamped Simplex dropouts to the forged version you have. They also lost the top tube cable guides and down tube pump pegs. My PX 10 is a 1960 but still has the chain stay double cable guide for the Juy 543 rear mech as used on the 59 model. Think they may have had left over stock frames and used them for the start of 1960 production with the single cable Juy Export Model 60 rear mech. Looking forward to seeing the build with a modern twist

Thread '1960 Peugeot PX10.' https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/1960-peugeot-px10.374551/

 

[zidortri]

Hi,
Thanks for these detailed information. Actually I thought that the three changes you recalled, stamped/forged dropout, dual-cable stop for the 543 rear mech, and pump pegs were specific to the models up to 1957/1958.
As for the fork head I also believed the shift from the upside-down trident to the distinctive arabesque type Nervex Pro was from 1958/1959.
Hence I assumed it was from 1959.
I'll see if the title of this post can be changed to 1960.

 

[zidortri]

Thread '1960 Peugeot PX10.' https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/1960-peugeot-px10.374551/

Just been on your topic... That's a real mine of detailed information!

I have a few PLX10/PHX10/PX10 (whatever they might be called) that still need to be restored to their original condition... I will put your topic to good use

 

[vcballbat]

The the 59 catalogue was first year for clamp on cable operated front mech. Can see the cable guides, pump pegs and stamped dropouts. 1960 was first year of Mafac centre pulls.

 

[zidortri]

So - after having the above bits brazed on the frame by the end of last summer (2022), I embarked on working on the livery...

I had a clear idea of how I wanted it to end up... as I had acquired around the same time a Peugeot touring bike - a "randonneuse" as they call it in French, from the same era... and which given its state of conservation will not undergo any update/modernization program.

 

[zidortri]

That is a late 50s Peugeot PHX50 - very close to the model presented on the catalog pictures above - thanks vcballbat

I really like the yellow veering green-ish colour and the decals pattern. Although these might not be strictly periodically correct nor offered on the PHX10/PX10 racing version they deserved to be recalled as they are now less known and yet they were - and still are, very attractive...

 

[zidortri]

I decided to do all the painting and decoration work myself.

Not that I'm not happy with the paintwork professional workshops can deliver but it usually takes some time to have things done and most of all I wanted to be in full control of the colour tone. That is being able to be absolutely free to choose the colour, apply the colour, look at the result, changing my mind, starting again, etc...

And that implied making tests, a lot of tests actually, mixing/stacking layers of different paints, working on the paint once applied, applying another layer, etc... in order to obtain the desired final tone.

I just did that and although I was relatively dedicated it still took me one month end to end.

 

[zidortri]

I first stripped the paint with a strong paint remover, followed by sanding and then a final brush with acetone.

And the result was pretty striking... Making me almost willing to leave it as it was.