Hi Mark, GOOD QUESTION! I just double checked the specification page for brakes on the 1971 vintage Gitanes bicycles..... The two basic models the Gran Sport and the Hosteler are listed with just "Mafac Racer" brakes. The Interclub, the Tour de France, the Super Corsa (optional Campagnola) and the Gran Tourisme are all listed as having: "MAFAC RACER LUXE" brakesets. I no longer have the original brakes from my 1971 Interclub, but I just remember them as "Mafac Racers"..... I do not know what the Mafac Racer Luxe model difference is! Yours truly, Martin Walsh in Vienna,Va.
Mark Petry wrote:
> Great find! Those were a rare bike ! I remember seeing one in the
> catalog, this was about 1971. I think I saw an actual bike, chained to
> a pole in San Diego one time. It was a bit ratty and not a good example
> of the marque.
>
> What the heck were "Mafac Racer Luxe" brakes ?
>
> As for the foil transfers, good luck getting replacements; you might
> have to make your own. Some laser printers will print on Mylar, and
> adhesive backed stock should be available somewhere! Had the same
> problem when deciding whether to re-paint my early - 70s Pogliaghi,
> which had foil backed transfers on the downtube. I ended up going with
> a somewhat later decal set. Not completely authentic, but acceptable.
> I found out later, when viewing Jack Bissel's stunningly restored silver
> Pogi, that Cyclart can reproduce the foil decals. Whether they have
> done the Gitane transfers would be worth a phone call.
>
> =====================================================
> Mark Petry 206.618.9642
> Beautiful Bainbridge Island, WA
> mpetry@bainbridgeisland.net
>
> =====================================================
> It is not the strongest of the species that survive,
> nor the most intelligent. It is the ones most
> adaptable and responsive to change.
>
> Charles Darwin
> =====================================================
>
> Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2003 15:35:45 -0400
> From: "Martin O. Walsh" <mowalsh@erols.com>
> Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR]Gitane Hosteler & Gran Tourisme
>
> Dear Wes and CR list,
> It sounds like your "find" is a pair of reworked Gitane Hostelers. My
> old Gitane Hosteler is now retired to the "LARRY BLACK COLLECTION", in
> Maryland. According to my Gitane catalog from listmember James Narlesky,
> the two touring
> (randoneur) style Gitanes from the early 1970's DID NOT have canteliver
> brakes, rather they had "Mafac Racer Luxe" brakes. The Hosteler (31
> lbs.) and the Gran Tourisme (25 lbs.) were the two touring bicycles in
> the Gitane lineup in the early '70's. The Hosteler frameset had seamless
> "lightweight steel", and the Gran Tourisme frameset featured Reynolds
> 531 double butted. The Hostelers were not very common and the the Gran
> Tourisme even less so. Both the Hosteler and the Gran Tourisme had
> fenders, front/rear racks, toe clips,straps,head/tail lights
> (generator),pump and kickstand. Hosteler Crankset: Durax 36/46/52 Gran
> Tourisme Crankset: CAMPAGNOLA 36/46/52 The Gitane Gran Sport was the
> entry level Gitane in the early 70's.Cost about the same as a Peugout
> UO-8 and the most common. The Hosteler cost about $130.00 in 1971 you
> had to place a deposit on your order and wait a few months for
> delivery,from Mel Pinto Imports shop called Sports and Cycles back
> during the BOOM (which doesn't seem that long ago). Yours truly, Martin
> Walsh in Vienna,Va. I still have my 1971 Gitane Interclub. I'm looking
> for ANY INFORMATION ON FOIL DECALS FOR GITANES FROM THE EARLY 70'S
> Wdgadd@aol.com wrote:
>
> > Our town is having its twice yearly bulk trash collection day-
> > always a good time to keep an eye peeled for interesting unwanted
> > bicycles. I found a matched pair of old, maybe pre-1970 Gitane gaspipe
>
> > "touring" bikes with the