Wesley David wrote:
> I'm looking for a tandem project to fool around with. Must be
> inexpensive and preferably in the northeast to avoid having to ship.
> I'd consider anything from a gaspipe Gitane to a ratty Santana bare
> frame.
Hey! I *like* my "gaspipe Gitane!" It's not a bad bike at all -- they used oversize tubing in all the right places, a decent real tandem crank (Stronglight 99), and even a 4-pawl Atom Tandem freewheel. Cantilever and drum brakes, with the funky MAFAC dual-pull brake lever so the captain can operate all the brakes with two hands. 40-spoke wheels with MAVIC Mod.E rims and tandem-grade 10mm front axle and 12mm rear axle. The only incongruous parts were the cheap Hutchinson tires (barely lasted a month) and the headset, which died after a single season and was replaced with a Stronglight Delta roller bearing unit 20 years ago and is still going strong.
If you can find yourself a "gaspipe Gitane" go for it! Mine's not for sale... :-)
--
-John Thompson (john@os2.dhs.org)
Appleton WI USA