My 1973 LeJeune 70-F is probably typical of the high-end French equipped LeJeunes of the era. Details included 531DB throughout, fancy Nervex Pro lugs, half chromed forks and stays, Simplex pro quality forged dropouts, cable stops under the TT (instead of cable guides on top or clampon clips), brazeon chainstay cable stop, brazeon rear centerpull brake hanger, and a little loop brazed on the seatstay above the DO as a derailleur cable guide. Original equipment was top models from Stronglight, Simplex, Normandy, Lyotard, Mafac. LeJeune also made an all-Campy model in this era. This was more "Italian" style, with less chrome, possibly single-point lugs, Campy dropouts, all Campy NR. Probably lacked the brazeon rear brake hanger, which was redundant when using Campy SP brakes. My rule of thumb is that a high end French bike in very good condition (not including marques like Herse and Singer, of course) should probably go for $350 to $450, maybe $500 if really mint. For more than that, it really needs some special provenance or really special components. Of course, another list member just picked up a top end Motobecane for $40 at a garage sale, but I'm talking about a situation where the seller knows what he has.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
-----Original Message----- From: mcwilkin [mailto:mcwilkin@twcable.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2001 2:47 PM Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Was: Stella Arctic? Now: Lejeune
fred_rednor@yahoo.com wrote:
> In fact, someone like LeJeune probably did not even make its ownframes > even if the painting was done in-house.
Hi all-
I have finally convinced a co-worker to let me take a look at a Lejeune from the early 70s that he rode a 'little bit' and then stored for the past 25 years or so.
When I take a look at this what should I look for. The color is green instead of blood red. That is about all I know at this point and am not sure about tubing or components, etc.
What would be a fair offer if I make one depending on condition, etc...
Mike Wilkinson
Parker, CO