Bob,
Thanks, you're the second person who suggested Velo-Orange, and they do have nice racks appropriate to the era. They also have a very nice canvas seat bag which might hold all I would need to carry, as I no longer use this bike for touring.
Actually, I think my question should have been "should any rack be put on this bike at all?" Which brings me to another question. Is what I have a "randonneuse"? I've never really tried to catagorize it as it was my only bicycle when I was 15. I just rode it. Later on I aquired more bikes, but knew I had something special in that old French bike with all the memories, so I kept it. It's acually been through a lot. I moved to St. Petersburg, Fla. in 1959, but found the roads and traffic there to be hostile to cyclists, and so I entrusted the bike to my brother-in-law who was down for a visit. He took it back to Connecticut where I thought he would safely store it for me. In fact, he left it out on his carport for the next 2 years. Upon returning to Connecticut, you can imagine how I felt!
The aluminum fenders seemed hopelessly pitted, everything was starting to rust and was very difficult to take apart, and I had little bicycle repair knowledge at the time. The upshot of this was that the fenders were disposed of, as was the rear hub and freewheel, and the handlebar stem, but I did get it back on the road with a 5 speed hub and freewheel with the smallest cog removed, and some plastic fenders. Later on I replaced the rims with more modern ones that would hold the tires on better, and replaced the bent crank with a TA crankset and sealed BB. Oh, and I had the front changer re-chromed. The seat eventually succummed to the neglect, also, and came apart on a ride. I found one that was somewhat similar, but not French, while I was working as a mechanic at a bike shop, but I would still like to find another Henri Gauthier or have mine restored, if possible.
It was only lately that I went back to the original rims, and I found a set of aluminum fenders (although not quite the right kind), to make it look more like it used to. Now I would love to find fenders like it came with, and I am considering going back to the original crankset and hollow BB. I would also like to find another shift index, as I had filed this one to allow the cable to slacken enough to go up into low gear. If I can find another 4speed rear hub and freewheel, I think it would be complete, but it does look pretty good the way it is, and it is very rideable, so I'm not in a hurry.
Anyway, sorry to ramle on, but I am really glad I found this list, because now I am inspired to get back into my bicylcle "collection" and sort out what I want to keep and finish refurbishing, and get rid of the rest. Most importantly, I hope to find some other vintage bike enthusiasts in the area to ride with, especially retired folks like myself who have more time.
David Lester Hartford, Ct. USA
Bob Hanson <theonetrueBob@webtv.net> wrote: David,
In this case I definitely don't mind putting in an unsolicited plug for a fellow List Member. Check out these fine offerings on his website:
http://www.velo-orange.com/
Probably as close as you'll find to "correct" without actually seeking out some rare vintage pieces (which probably would not fit, anyway). And, do note that these are actually stainless steel - which I've never seen on any comparably styled racks before.
Expensive?... Yes,... but I think they are surely worth the price. Also, FWIW, I plan to soon put in an order for various items from this fellow - if only to do my small part to help encourage him on toward further productions, precisely like these amazing racks.
Well now, having gotten that little unpaid sales pitch of my chest... let me just say that I think the Blackburn certainly looks just fine on your bike.
Like yourself, I actually insist on riding my old treasures, so I too have mounted similar "heresies" on a couple 60s and 70s bikes which I regularly use as my urban pack mules. Still, given the rarity of your particular bike, I really would consider indulging in some extravagant racks like the ones I linked above. In any case, Best of Luck, and my compliments on that lovely bike!
Bob Hanson, Albuquerque, New Mexico
"Quality will be remembered long after cost is forgotten." ~ A. Gucci
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David Lester wrote:
I currently have a Blackburn rear rack installed on my ca1955 Le
Chemineau. See pictures here;
http://community.webshots.com/
David Lester Hartford, Ct. USA
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