Early 50s La Gazelle - Eau-de-Nil 🛠️ The Merlot Aftermath 🍷
- Thread starter Woz
- Start date
Absolutely uncanny resemblance - even down to the state of decay 
I could well imagine these bikes joining up and having a quick fling around the Bois de Boulogne. Respective owners not living that far apart, and La Gazelle would be roughly in between them.
A fairly recent find saved. Very early 1937 porteur:
https://forum.tontonvelo.com/viewtopic.php?t=52871
On this porteur, it's the first time I see a similar gold leaf decal to what is on the EdN. One thing fairly consistent with La Gazelle over the years are the World Championship bands.
Looking at the advert again about the bike foresale, I would say the seller's done his best to find out, a fair description, and would make a great project for someone. Would also be fascinating to know how and when it got to the UK - wonder if it was found at a local UK tip?
I could well imagine these bikes joining up and having a quick fling around the Bois de Boulogne. Respective owners not living that far apart, and La Gazelle would be roughly in between them.
A fairly recent find saved. Very early 1937 porteur:
https://forum.tontonvelo.com/viewtopic.php?t=52871
On this porteur, it's the first time I see a similar gold leaf decal to what is on the EdN. One thing fairly consistent with La Gazelle over the years are the World Championship bands.
Looking at the advert again about the bike foresale, I would say the seller's done his best to find out, a fair description, and would make a great project for someone. Would also be fascinating to know how and when it got to the UK - wonder if it was found at a local UK tip?
Such a fantastic day today. Just before the sun went down had an urge to get my leg over.
So regret not riding this as much as planned and getting her out and about more.
Still well and truly chuffed it won the RBotM back in July 2023 and people showed interest.
It's suffered a little over winter and spring being stored in a neighbours barn because it's been so damp. The toe straps and toe-clips have now been removed to stop mould forming on them. The saddle will get treated soon and I've found somewhere else to store it this winter. In spring I'll make a solid attempt to sort out lower gearing - as it is now it's more faithful to the original and it feels like (at least with me in the engine room) it just wants to cruise along in the next to lowest gear at the moment . I'm really enjoying these handlebars and the smoothness of the ride. My hands just seem to plonk down were they should for something leisurely. 32C at 65 PSI and hookless rims will be the future.
So regret not riding this as much as planned and getting her out and about more.
Still well and truly chuffed it won the RBotM back in July 2023 and people showed interest.
It's suffered a little over winter and spring being stored in a neighbours barn because it's been so damp. The toe straps and toe-clips have now been removed to stop mould forming on them. The saddle will get treated soon and I've found somewhere else to store it this winter. In spring I'll make a solid attempt to sort out lower gearing - as it is now it's more faithful to the original and it feels like (at least with me in the engine room) it just wants to cruise along in the next to lowest gear at the moment
. I'm really enjoying these handlebars and the smoothness of the ride. My hands just seem to plonk down were they should for something leisurely. 32C at 65 PSI and hookless rims will be the future.
Last edited:
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
Still have the Stronglight d/s crank if you want it.
chickendrumsticks
Senior Retro Guru
Just before the sun went down had an urge to get my leg over too! But was shrugged off. Took the bike for a spin instead. Much more fun but my old Sid is a little large for me I have to admit. Might look to pass it on...Such a fantastic day today. Just before the sun went down had an urge to get my leg over.
So regret not riding this as much as planned and getting her out and about more.
Still well and truly chuffed it won the RBotM back in July 2023 and people showed interest.
It's suffered a little over winter and spring being stored in a neighbours barn because it's been so damp. The toe straps and toe-clips have now been removed to stop mould forming on them. The saddle will get treated soon and I've found somewhere else to store it this winter. In spring I'll make a solid attempt to sort out lower gearing - as it is now it's more faithful to the original and it feels like (at least with me in the engine room) it just wants to cruise along in the next to lowest gear at the moment
View attachment 890311
A little addition to something that remained a bit of a mystery - at least to me.
Without going back too much, I chose a 50s Solida steel cotter pin crank for this. Originally found on Motobecanes:
A lot of us here probably remember Solida on the droves and droves of 10 speed mass produced French racers and not finding them particularly good. It proved difficult to actually find any information about Solida, and I only managed to find this on Ebay - an old correspondence with Helyett Cycles from 1925. Company being founded in 1880, Solida being a brand name.
According to the Stronglight website, the Solida brand (and company?) was developed by them, but the year is not given and I couldn't find any other information. Another quirk in the French bike industry. Having both the similar period Solida and Stronglight in my hands I found the crank arms surprisingly dimensionally similar.
Without going back too much, I chose a 50s Solida steel cotter pin crank for this. Originally found on Motobecanes:
A lot of us here probably remember Solida on the droves and droves of 10 speed mass produced French racers and not finding them particularly good. It proved difficult to actually find any information about Solida, and I only managed to find this on Ebay - an old correspondence with Helyett Cycles from 1925. Company being founded in 1880, Solida being a brand name.
According to the Stronglight website, the Solida brand (and company?) was developed by them, but the year is not given and I couldn't find any other information. Another quirk in the French bike industry. Having both the similar period Solida and Stronglight in my hands I found the crank arms surprisingly dimensionally similar.
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