Mid-late 30's CPC, French content

[Mr.Toad]

Starting a thread on my new long term project, which I believe is a pre-war French bike.

There seems to be quite a few posts on-line of this bike, i'm assuming the prior owner's postings. In any case i'm kicking off this thread with a few older pictures then showing the progress to where she sits today.

Hope you all enjoy and have some input, I can certainly use all the help I can get with the build.

Thanks!

 

[KermitGKona88]

Re:

Gorgeous signing on :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[legrandefromage]

Ooh thats nice.

Brass bits!

 

[Jonny69]

That is fabulous! Lots of very cool things to take in - where do I start?!

 

[ferrus]

Re:

indeed, that's just great!

 

[Mr.Toad]

Re:

Thanks everyone. I feel fortunate to have this bike, the Wife was very understanding....

Anyway, rewinding to 2015 the bike turned up at a swap meet in the eastern US, partially assembled. Apparently the bike was imported from France around this time.

I'm including a number of photos from the swap meet that I found on-line.

From these it's easy to see that most of the frame and fork are 531, I suspect the chainstays are Rubis like similar French bikes from this time. The hubs are Maxi (pre Maxi-Car) with a very cool rear drum brake. Cyclo Rosa rings, Cyclo rear derailleur, 4 speed Cyclo free wheel. Jaey Brakes, steel Philppe stem, Tank pedals, early Erpelding brake levers, and the beautiful Ideale saddle.

 

[Mr.Toad]

Re:

...continuing with the background story.

While searching the 'bay for Herse I noticed this bike listed. It obviously needed quite a bit of work but it looked mostly complete and very interesting. I was surprised to see the seller was local to me, so I watched and patiently let the auction run.

Sometime after I contacted the seller and surprised to hear that I have a few dealings with him in the past, sold him a number of French parts and a bike last year. A deal was made and now the bike is mine, minus the Lefol fenders....

 

[vp1337]

Now that's quite something. The craftsmanship on these oldies are remarkable. I'm really looking forward to see it finished, good luck!