Later chroming, was Re: [CR] Help date a Gitane Track frame?

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Ideale)

Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2006 13:24:52 -0400
From: <sachshm@cox.net>
To: sandranian@yahoo.com, theonetrueBob@webtv.net, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Later chroming, was Re: [CR] Help date a Gitane Track frame?
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Here's a hint I learned a while back: One pretty good way to determine if a bike was factory-chromed is to look carefully at the BB. If the bike is going to get chromed, that will be polished before assembly, because it is almost impossible afterwards. So, if the BB shows lots of casting or file marks, and isn't really well polished, it was likely to have been plated sometime later in its life. Not infallible, but what is? :-) harvey sachs mcLean VA USA +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I would be interested in seeing pictures of the frame. I am unaware of any Gitane that was ever built by the factory which came with a full chrome finish, but that doesn't mean it didn't exist. If that is a Gitane, it was, most probably, refinished. I also think that the headtube decal is a cropped decal from another Gitane or a stickerset which was obtained after it was refinished. Based on your description, it sounds like part of the emblem which was placed on the top tube of early 1970's Gitanes, the "S C" standing for "Service Course", or roughly translated into "Road Race". No reason that would be put on a track bike and not placed on the head tube by the Factory.

That being said...you never know, with Gitane! I would love to see some pictures....

Stephan Andranian Costa Mesa, CA http://www.GitaneUSA.com

Bob Hanson <theonetrueBob@webtv.net> wrote: I picked up this frameset just by chance a couple years ago. Curious if anyone can help me narrow down a possible date of manufacture.

Frame is Full Chrome. So, not surprisingly, the only remaining decal is the head tube emblem. That decal consists of a black & white checkered flag with a blue globe peeking out behind the flag. On the center of the flag is "GITANE" in blue with the letters "S" above the name and "C" below it, both of those letters in yellow.