[CR]1950s red French Randonneur bike

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Avocet)

From: "Norris Lockley" <norris@norrislockley.wanadoo.co.uk>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 2006 22:43:48 +0100
Subject: [CR]1950s red French Randonneur bike

Thanks, Jan, for your appraisal of this randonneur. It seems that we both came to the same conclusion that it is neither a Routens nor a Longoni.

certain parts of the construction, and the enamelling of the frame do resemble parts of a very attractive Alphonse Thomann that I own, but given Joel's measurements of the head-badge's rivet holes, these would rule out this possibility. I have two types of Thomann head-badge and the holes are further apart on both of them-54mms being about the average.

Checking through the list of head-badges that I have, the only ones that I can find that match up with Joel's 46 mms are Hurtu, Tendil ( a regional manufacturer at Nimes), and "Cycles E Vadot". I have tried to get a feeling for the shape of the headbadge from Joel's photos but have not managed to reach any real conclusion.

If the holes were to be centred only the odd 1mm further apart or closer the spectrum of possibilities grows much wider with Lapebie, Aiglon Automoto, Magnat-Debon etc etc coming into the frame.

regarding Jan's comment on Reyhand using headbadges, I am beginning to wonder what generation of Reyhands I own . One has no transfers or headbadge at all while the other two have just a small elongated diamond=shaped head transfer bearing the words "REYHAND, Constructeur, Lyon". Unlike the Reyhands I have seen in photos, my Reyhands only have one REYHAND transfer of the down-tube, not two. The single transfer is on the upper face of the D/T. much in the style of early Alcyons and Automotos.

I have assumed for no real reason that these frames are earlier rather than later Reyhands. Any other explanations please?

Norris Lockley, Settle UK