In a message dated 1/3/03 11:34:26 AM Eastern Standard Time,
rena.cutrufelli@comcast.net writes:
> Gosh I thought it had lugs, not fancy, but memory of the details is weak
> now. The reason is I remember not liking the Schwinn lugless internally
> brazed look at the time- So I would have thought that I would have chosen a
> lugged bike.I do remember that it did have that big light blue transparent
> spoke protector.Also the limits of the derailler seemed easy to adjust. But
> I don't recall what derailler was on the bike.I don't think it had quick
> release hubs. (While in earlier discussions I think it was previously
> mentioned that it was a lower line Motobecane; I just did not know that
> then
> or at any time before I joined your list..)
>
> At that time, my parents took me to a small shop in Washington DC that sold
> Gitanes,among others. The owner was from France, I recall. But for some
> reason that Astra was more desirable to me then, maybe because it seemed
> even more unusual. People, including Dave Tesch and others were quite
> attached to them, even at the time.I just don't really know the reason for
> the attraction to what wasn't a prime time Motobecane.But I do wish I could
> see one again, at least to refresh my memory. Anything that you remember
> unusual or special about them?
>
> Dale, were the ones you sold often painted med-dark gold?
>
My Astra was lugged (in the frame construction as well as up many an incline ;-( and while i do remember a gold/black, mine was that trademark teal, not unlike many an upscale 'motorbeercan' The DC shop may have been Sports and Cycles International (which were actually located in Arlington and Rockville and run by Mel Pinti, actually of Moroccan heritage but very French in manner, accent,and tastes.
The shop may have been Cycles and Sports on Wisconsin Avenue run by Charlie and Pearl Gregory for 1/2a century and 30 years before that. Then again, it may have been the shopon 9th street near the old burlesque houses near Chinatown - where I saw my first skinny-seat drop bar bikes in the late 50's/early 60's as we kids waited for the bus transfers to go to the Senators games at Griffith Stadium. In a recent call to 'Boots' Ward , I found out that shop was owned by Cy Kauffman.
I'll get the name of that place one way or another.
Larry Black
Memory Lane
Mt Airy, Md