Don Wilson wrote:
> I'm a tandem illiterate. I always wanted one to play
> with and now I've got it: a $30 Thrift Store special.
> It is a Gitane, a Made in France model. I'm guessing
> it to be late 70s or early eighties. Blue with white
> and read transfers. No model name. No indication of a
> tube sticker. What intrigues me is the hodgepodge of
> components. List follows.
>
> Cinelli Front handlebar.
>
> Japanese back handlebar.
>
> Pivo Stem with a recessed allen head stem tightener.
>
> Modolo Levers.
>
> Shimano SLR cantilever breaks.
>
> Suntour barcons, no indexing.
>
> Suntour XCD rear derailleur.
>
> Suntour Mountech front derailleur.
>
> Dura Ace front and rear cranks and chain rings.
>
> Triple chainring in rear.
>
> Aluminum seat stems with recent gel seats.
>
> Rear Wheel: Wolber Super Champion Model 58 27" rim,
> Malliard hub, Shimano six speed cassette, Maillard QR
> skewer.
>
> Front Wheel: Mavic red label Model 3 27 x 1.25 with
> Normandy hub, Maillard QR skewer.
>
> Was cobbled together componentry typical of this era
> of Gitane tandems?
>
> It rides quite nicely. And the Dura Ace/Suntour Drive
> train is light, accurate and responsive.
>
> What have I got here? Something heavily modified later
> in life, or was this the way tandems were ordered
> sometimes? No sign of a crash in the frame.
I suspect this was modified after purchase. I have an early 80s Gitane tandem I bought new and it was all French: Simplex der., Stronglight 99 cranks and headset, Mafac brakes (tandem cantis with dual-pull lever for Atom drum brake on the back), GB bars, Mavic 700C 40 hole rims, &et.
--
John (john@os2.dhs.org)
Appleton WI USA