Old Ned
Old School Grand Master
I may have ................... (but what is huge?) I like to think of it as 'adequate'.
Late 70s Frenchman
- Thread starter chickendrumsticks
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chickendrumsticks
Senior Retro Guru
Old Ned - whether adequate or huge, it's great that you're usually able to find a pic to expand our knowledge here...
And Allen, I wondered how long it would before you homed in on my Frenchie! The 888 label says summat about 8/10. I know it's plain gauge so I'm guessing some tubes have 0.8mm walls and others 1mm? I wonder which is which?
And yes, a better saddle, and some toeclips. I wonder which brand I should use? The ubiquitous Christophe of course!
And Allen, I wondered how long it would before you homed in on my Frenchie! The 888 label says summat about 8/10. I know it's plain gauge so I'm guessing some tubes have 0.8mm walls and others 1mm? I wonder which is which?
And yes, a better saddle, and some toeclips. I wonder which brand I should use? The ubiquitous Christophe of course!
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chickendrumsticks
Senior Retro Guru
Here's some detail - try to stay awake at the back there!
Frame, of course, is a Manufrance manufactured (try saying that after a few ciders) jobbie in Vitus 888 8/10 tubing. An unexpected feature are the braze-on mounts for the Mafac Racer centrepulls. More usually associated with "high end builds" or team bikes. I think my old thing is neither but the original purchaser was able to specify that feature. Surprising that a huge firm like Manufrance was open to this. In addition, stickers declaring "Braise Main" and "Fait Main". That's hand brazed and hand made en francaise.
Gears are all Huret - certainly an Eco at the rear and I think a 700 up front. Twin band on levers. (Thats "hooray", not "hurret" as I've heard them called...at least here in darkest Norfolk)
Cottered cranks and chain wheels are Solida 3 pin. Amazingly little wear and the name nicely etched on the cranks and excellent chrome. Pedals are Lyotard quills, all steel. I can't nail them down model wise - there are so (EDIT) many!
In the cockpit there's a no-name alloy quill (with what looks like the wrong expander bolt) and steel drop bars. Mafac levers of course with good hoods. Bar tape is plastic and could be original? I don't like how it's wrapped round the back of the hoods though, so maybe there's an excuse to change it for my favourite cloth - and perhaps some alloy bars?
Wheels are New Star hubs with steel barrels and alloy large flanges These are laced to Super Champion alloy rims with what I think are rustless spokes. Both shod with Wolber Sport 700 x 28 clinchers. (Those rims were soon to be renamed Wolber Super Champion after a takeover in late 70s or early 80s) And not to forget Nervex Type 2 QR skewers. (I'll bet you were all thinking - at least those still awake - what about the skewers then?)
Finally, there's a steel seat pin with a magnificently horrible white plastic saddle on top . I haven't tested to see if the pin is rusted to the frame yet - nor have I tried the stem. I'm a bit scared. Wish me luck with that...
Phew! I think that's the lot.
Frame, of course, is a Manufrance manufactured (try saying that after a few ciders) jobbie in Vitus 888 8/10 tubing. An unexpected feature are the braze-on mounts for the Mafac Racer centrepulls. More usually associated with "high end builds" or team bikes. I think my old thing is neither but the original purchaser was able to specify that feature. Surprising that a huge firm like Manufrance was open to this. In addition, stickers declaring "Braise Main" and "Fait Main". That's hand brazed and hand made en francaise.
Gears are all Huret - certainly an Eco at the rear and I think a 700 up front. Twin band on levers. (Thats "hooray", not "hurret" as I've heard them called...at least here in darkest Norfolk)
Cottered cranks and chain wheels are Solida 3 pin. Amazingly little wear and the name nicely etched on the cranks and excellent chrome. Pedals are Lyotard quills, all steel. I can't nail them down model wise - there are so (EDIT) many!
In the cockpit there's a no-name alloy quill (with what looks like the wrong expander bolt) and steel drop bars. Mafac levers of course with good hoods. Bar tape is plastic and could be original? I don't like how it's wrapped round the back of the hoods though, so maybe there's an excuse to change it for my favourite cloth - and perhaps some alloy bars?
Wheels are New Star hubs with steel barrels and alloy large flanges These are laced to Super Champion alloy rims with what I think are rustless spokes. Both shod with Wolber Sport 700 x 28 clinchers. (Those rims were soon to be renamed Wolber Super Champion after a takeover in late 70s or early 80s) And not to forget Nervex Type 2 QR skewers. (I'll bet you were all thinking - at least those still awake - what about the skewers then?)
Finally, there's a steel seat pin with a magnificently horrible white plastic saddle on top . I haven't tested to see if the pin is rusted to the frame yet - nor have I tried the stem. I'm a bit scared. Wish me luck with that...
Phew! I think that's the lot.
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I am thinking with the general lack of rust things should come apart pretty well 
. Frame certainly is a bit of an anomally but a nice anomally... To my eyes it all looked original except the white lump... I know I am a tart but I would have to change the "Hurret" Eco if only for a Svelto... How are the Wolber tyres ? Or "Wobler" tyres as I have heard them called in the far east (of Norfolk)...
. Frame certainly is a bit of an anomally but a nice anomally... To my eyes it all looked original except the white lump... I know I am a tart but I would have to change the "Hurret" Eco if only for a Svelto... How are the Wolber tyres ? Or "Wobler" tyres as I have heard them called in the far east (of Norfolk)...
You're not the only one, I'd probably do the same but also wonder how original the rear mech is, some of them and especially the Svelto's had a nasty habit of wrapping themselves into themselves so you might want to look for date stamps.
It drew me in like a flame
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chickendrumsticks
Senior Retro Guru
Glad to report stem and seatpin both moving easily. I have to say I like the look of the Eco and it changes quite nicely - in the stand...I am thinking with the general lack of rust things should come apart pretty well
Those old wobbler tyres look almost unworn. They appear to be "fast road tyres" judging by the tread, or rather the lack of it. Although they were pumped up nice and hard when I took possession I'm expecting cracked or perished walls when they're deflated. I'm guessing they'll need changing in the long term, at least when I'm ready to ride the thing.
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Fair dues about the Eco... Just I still have flashbacks to either fitting or adjusting hundreds at least in the bike shop... They used to buy them by the sack full...
chickendrumsticks
Senior Retro Guru
"Eco": cheap or kind to the environment? I suspect the former.
Flashbacks or waking nightmares? I suppose if they were so popular it meant they were robust and reliable? And easily adjustable too. What's not to like - at least from the bikers' point of view?
Pity the poor mechanic...who wishes he would've stayed home. (I mean this kindly btw)
Flashbacks or waking nightmares? I suppose if they were so popular it meant they were robust and reliable? And easily adjustable too. What's not to like - at least from the bikers' point of view?
Pity the poor mechanic...who wishes he would've stayed home. (I mean this kindly btw)
