Thanks to list members , I can say for certain that mine is of unknown vintage , but has a 120 mm , 5-speed , rear spacing .
And , it is very definitely set up for average - normal clearances , but for either sew-up / tubular tires , or for 700 c wired-on / clincher tires .
27-inch tires would not work on this one , for sure .
Raoul Delmare
Marysville Kansas
> I purchased a Gitane Tour de France cheap on ebay -- it had been resprayed
> with what looked like barn paint. I had Chris Kvale repaint it and I am
> now setting it up. Because it is a frame from the 1970s, I thought I
would
> have no problem running 27 inch wheels. My mistake -- the uninflated
front
> tire barely clears the fork crown. This is a surprise to me -- I didn't
> think tight clearances were common on production racing bikes of that time
> (especially ones with fender eyelets). Is there anyone out there with
> Gitane knowledge who could fill me in on the philosophy behind this design
> feature?
>
> Thanks much for the help.
>
> Mike Hagburg
> Bismarck, ND