Early 50s La Gazelle - Eau-de-Nil 🛠️ The Merlot Aftermath 🍷

vcballbat said:
Torevess headset and bottom bracket 👍
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Superb ! - I noted the writing style on the headset looked a bit like that on axel end.

The headset also says "Course" in plain more legible text - I'm assuming that is the model name.

It makes a massive difference in finding more information when a handful of crucial parts and some dates are identified - the spec sheet is filling up nicely. Think it's only the stem and bars left now :)

Found this: same headset on a bike that eventually got identified 1945 / 1947.
https://forum.tontonvelo.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=33435
 
Stem is a Philippe.

The top bit is a name and address tag. I'm assuming the previous owner, and I'm also guessing (at the moment) the original owner.

1662728816313.png

Being realistic and as a matter of respect, I'm not chasing down somebody who is very probably deceased - I suspect it was the next of kin that left the bike at the charity shop.

This information is fairly pertinent - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issy-les-Moulineaux - so from the Paris region.

@vcballbat - the charity shop is about 400 km from Paris. That should narrow the location down a bit ;)
 
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vcballbat said:
Torevess Grand Luxe on Velobase also shows the Coarse version 👍 Still need the location so I can book me ferry 🛳️
https://www.velobase.com/ViewCompon...be4-4e28-8d28-dc2f269b308e&Enum=111&AbsPos=43
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Better idea is to offer Woz copious amounts of wine for a trip to his village to go see his new mint ice cream, when he's knocked out from the drink, you install a tracking device in the soles of his favourite boots, bid farewell and stay in the nearest town, waiting for movement. One day, he will surely have another gallon of Gutrot Merlot and proclaim his intention to go to a charity shop post-liver exercised, and that's when you strike. Pull up the phone and observe direction, 3 cars behind, as not to rouse suspicion.

That way you're guaranteed the good stuff
 
Woz said:
The saddle clamp & seat-post

Moving on - got a positive identity of the saddle clamp - it's a Pryma same as the saddle.

Just some advice to anyone who may need it, as there is probably a 99.9% chance an old French bike would have one.

These old style saddle clamps can appear a bit daunting and frustrating if you come across one for the first time; so including this here:

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/birmalux-seat-post-help.429532/

The seat-post is a crazy light steel affair. Chromed and domed top. It looks rather rude to be honest, so no photographs to protect sensitive people. Wall thickness is bang on 1mm and it appears to have some damage and slightly bent and slightly crushed. There is a name I can barely make out - something like Durifor or Dorifo. The name also serves as the insertion limit. Don't think I will be using it going forward.
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Weigh it! My own is so shockingly light...
 
Durifort seatpost, huh?

Duri if what Frannie is made of. A steel "make" from the same company that made Vitus.
 
Woz said:
Stem is a Philippe.

The top bit is a name and address tag. I'm assuming the previous owner, and I'm also guessing (at the moment) the original owner.

View attachment 660387

Being realistic and as a matter of respect, I'm not chasing down somebody who is very probably deceased - I suspect it was the next of kin that left the bike at the charity shop.

This information is fairly pertinent - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issy-les-Moulineaux - so from the Paris region.

@vcballbat - the charity shop is about 400 km from Paris. That should narrow the location down a bit ;)
Click to expand...
As you not being very cooperative at this stage I have some bad news... the stem is dated late 60's or early 70's, I definitely wouldn't be happy about this and would demand a full refund on return of the goods... now where are my Michelin maps..🤔
https://www.velobase.com/ViewCompon...4700-410f-af08-264a58553d43&Enum=102&AbsPos=8
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Woz
hamster said:
I'm totally loving this thread, especially after the North American Victorian track bike.

The gear ratios are insane, the advert was simply great: '45T outer ring, with a 41T inner to make things easy with a 20T rear for people suffering from pneumonia or TB' sort of thing. Plus you swig a bottle of champagne for hydration, jut like the old photos.

Fab stuff.
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Just counted the big plate - 50T. The small plate looks like 49T ..... I made a sigh and didn't dare count it.

Completely unsuitable for around here 🤦‍♂️
 
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