[CR]Intro to another Kiwi, and 1950s Frejus age and model ID

From: "Mark Battley" <mark.battley@xtra.co.nz>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Tue, 29 May 2007 22:12:15 +1200
In-Reply-To: <MONKEYFOODrGvnCjnZS00000b1c@monkeyfood.nt.phred.org>
Thread-Index: AcehWncPeMbAIPK1TfGsEVVTNScU1wAfxexw
Subject: [CR]Intro to another Kiwi, and 1950s Frejus age and model ID

Hi all,

Have been lurking here for a week, thought I should finally say hello. I'm Mark Battley, from Auckland, New Zealand. I have been here before for a while around 2001-2003, and then went into hiding. Last week I purchased a "project" 1950s Frejus from David Benson who also lurks here, so thought I would join up again. I'm also into Italian cars, so figured I should get a rusty Italian bike to match!

The Frejus can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/MarkABattley/Frejus

As you can see, it needs plenty of TLC, starting with a very good strip/clean/grease. Paint is chipped but otherwise not too bad. Chrome is sad. It does move, at least as far as the end of the driveway and back again!

S/N is 85741. According to http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Italy/Frejus/Frejus_serial_numbers.htm that would put it after 1955, which it has to be anyhow since the head-tube badge reads: Campione Del Mondo 1930,32,48,51,53,54,55.

Any suggestions as to how to pin the age down better?

I was told that it is a Tour de France, however the bottom bracket is stamped MC56. According to http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/frejus.html the letters are the model and the number the frame size (i.e. MC 56, MS 60, TDF58).

The above reference is not completely explicit though; does MC mean M Super Corsa, or something else?

Basic details: Frame size: nominal 56cm, Seat tube: 56cm c/t, 55c/c, Top tube: 56cm Headset: Frejus - broken grease nipple on back of headtube BB: Frejus Nichrom, with grease nipple Cranks: Durax-Special Courses with Magistroni chainrings (47/50). RD: Campagnolo Gran Sport (pre 1961) FD: None at present (apparently at one stage had lever type), have Campagnolo Gran Sport to fit. Shift Lever: Single Benelux, to be replaced by Campagnolo double - I have bought some 1960s levers, would like to find some Gran Sport "open C" ones if anybody happens to have any lying around. Pedals: Phillips, English Stem: GB Reynolds 531 10cm Brakes: Mafac Dural Forge, Mafac levers Hubs: English Solite (at least the front is), 32/40 spokes, 14/15/16/17/19 Everest cluster Rims: Dunlop Special Lightweight 27 x 1-1/4.

I'm told that apparently the mix of Italian and English components is probably because due to import/tax reasons back then bikes were usually imported to NZ as frames and built up here.

The only other vaguely classic (or at least old) complete bike I have is a late 70s (was told 1979 from S/N) Peugeot Course, Vitus 172 Serie Legere Special double butted tubing. http://picasaweb.google.com/MarkABattley/1979PeugeotCourse When I bought it in 2001 it had Simplex DT shifters and FD, RD had been replaced with an old Superbe pro. Rear hub was 6spd Atom, RIGIDA 700C rim, front wheel had been replaced by a really cruddy 27" steel rim thing. Weimann sidepulls, Mafac levers, ATAX handlebars. Crankset labelled Peugeot. Since then it has had a variety of components and wheels passed down from other bikes, and is currently running 9spd Ultegra, with mudguards and a rack for commuting. Nothing flash, but rides nicely.

Also have more modern stuff to (try and) go fast, was using a Cannondale CAD3 but recently bought a Kestrel Evoke. So a bit of an eclectic mix! Have a few other frames hanging around as well.

Anyhow, any comments on the age and model of the Frejus appreciated!

Thanks,

Mark
Auckland, NZ