Ive posted photos of my 1954 Duravia-badged, Mecadural-built French alloy randonneur. Still need to add racks, bags and lights, but I want to ride it a bit first:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
This was a real learning experience, as it is the second oldest bike I have and the oldest I have actually built up - my 1950 Claud Butler Avant Coureur was bought complete. First cottered steel crank I've actually built up, and first I've ridden with alloy rings. First Simplex rod FD I've ridden - the Claud Butler has a Cyclo on which you rotate the lever rather than swinging in and out. First chainstay mounted RD for me and first toptube mounted shifter.
Despite Norris associating Duravia with Frankenstein, I think it is quite elegant in many ways. Nearly all guides/stops are integrated into lugs or bridges and lugs are gold anodized. The seattube sticker proclaims a 3 year guarantee, but I think it has now expired.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Big Spring, Texas, USA