Candy Apple Red #92790 was bought in 1962 and has the "1950" on the seat tube TdF map decal.
Chuck Schmidt SoPas, SoCal
Dave Patrick wrote:
>
> I think that Steve is on the right track here, as my experience has shown
> that Frejus discontinued use of the "1950" date on the map of France decal
> right around 1960-61. The decal remains the same after this, as only the
> 1950 date within the map decal is removed. That's the key to dating the
> bike: does it have the "1950" or not on the map decal. YOu need to look
> closely at other TdF models, as they look identical. Also, TdF models
> always seemed to have an inconsistent supply of parts, as Campy and Simplex
> were seen throughout different time periods.
>
> Throwing some fun into the serial number craze, Frejus made a batch of
> frames in 1960 using Columbus tubing that have THREE digit serial numbers.
> I own one of these and I know of at least two others from this "batch" or
> series, all having three digit serial numbers. These bikes were sold by
> Avenia's shop and they feature a lot of the traits of the high end model
> that typically used Reynolds 531 at the time.
>
> Dave Patrick
> Chelsea, Michigan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
> [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org]On Behalf Of The
> Maaslands
> Sent: Wednesday, January 08, 2003 12:06 PM
> To: Classic Rendezvous
> Subject: Re: [CR]Nice E-bay Frejus Tour de France
>
> Joe wrote:
>
> >
> http://ebay.com/
> > >
> > > In this size I think this will go to Japan. It's also one more
> > > data point on
> > > the serial numbers. While it can't be a 1950, I think it is clear that
> my
> > > sequential serial number theory is hogwash.
> > >
> > > Just when I think E-bay is drying up- lots of nice stuff when I looked
> > > today. A set of the Campagnolo pedals with toe loops and the <C>
> markings
> > > only found on Raleighs.
>
> to which David opined:
>
> > Actually let me revise that estimate. Looking at the serial # database as
> it
> > stands and attempting to plot it out (allowing a bit of variance to try
> and
> > get a straight line) I'd say this bike is from 1963.
>
> after first stating:
> > >
> > > I think this bike is from around 1965. I've asked the seller if
> > > there's # on
> > > the back of the crankarms that might help in the dating.
> > >
> > > I also think that the concept of Frejus using sequential serial numbers
> is
> > > still sound. What we see when we look at the numbers is muddled
> > > by too many
> > > years and too many owners (for the most part) and given the
> > > variance in when
> > > a bike left the factory and when it made it into the first owners hand I
> > > think if we plotted a graph we'd see approximate correlation, but
> > > we'd never
> > > get anything too exact.
>
> Personally, I think this bike may even be older than that. It strikes me as
> odd that they would continue to celebrate the 1950 tour de France instead of
> newer races where they had triumphed. I believe this bike might actually be
> from the late 50's. I seriously doubt that Frejus would continue to use Gran
> Sport on a top of the line bike once the record group came out.
>
> I have no factual basis for these statements, just a hunch and would love to
> be contradicted by anybody have some facts.
>
> Steven Maasland
> Moorestown, NJ
>
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