Re: [CR]SMG Cycles

> ... you rascal, i need to kiss you on the lips !! well, not really :)
> thanks so very much !
> this is one in the same. i feel special to just run my hands over this
> one. it's the real deal.
> robert clair
> alexandria, va 22308
> usa
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Norris Lockley" <norris.lockley@yahoo.com>
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 7:08 PM
> Subject: [CR]SMG Cycles
>
>
>>
>> The Lotus look-alike frame found by Robert Clair, but badged up and
>> engrave
>> d as an "SMG", is in fact of French origin.
>> SMG was the brand name of the frames made by Jean Frelat, a constructeur,
>> b
>> ased at Pavillons-sous-Bois, just to the east of Paris. He was very well
>> kn
>> own in the late 70s and early 80s, a time when he built quite a lot of
>> fram
>> es for leading French amateur riders, on both road and track, who were
>> from
>> that general region of France. He also sponsored several French lady
>> champ
>> ions such as Isabelle Nicoloso and Valerie Simonet, both of them track
>> ride
>> rs. Valerie was the French sprint champion in 1981.
>> Jean was quite an innovative builder, being well known for bronze-welded
>> lu
>> gless frames and internal routing of all cables.
>> The frame that Robert has come across sounds as though it is the
>> top-of-the
>> -range SMG, called the SASEBO model. As such all the oval tubes - probabl
>> y with rounded ends for easy use with lugs - oval stays and possibly fork
>> b
>> lades - would be from the AMR - Camus Aero 7 tube set. If the tubes are r
>> egular aero section ie without tubular ends, then they will be Columbus
>> Aer
>> o ones. The frame will probably not have a rear chainstay bridge, to
>> enable
>> the rear wheel to be brought close to the seat tube.
>> It's a long time since I saw this Frelat model but I think that the
>> drop-ou
>> ts were one of Frelat's patents, designed to enable the frame to have
>> longe
>> r and shorter wheelbases, depending on use. The CAMUS-tubed version was
>> int
>> ended for use in pursuit racing and the Columbus-tubed one for sprinting
>> an
>> d vitesse. As I recall he also had front fork drop-outs that gave a
>> choice
>> of two positions.
>>
>> SMGs are quite rare frames. ..and worth buying in.
>>
>> Hope that helps..
>>
>> Norris Lockley, Settle Uk
>> Just what the origin of the SMG is, I never did find out=0A=0A=0A