List,
I'm selling this lovely French mystery bike.
pictures can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/
Road frame c. 1950 with a virtually NOS parts group. Simplex Tour de France and Competition derailleurs, Stronglight headset and crank (with Simplex rings), Simplex seatpost, Ideale 80 saddle, and CLB 700 calipers. Wheels are more modern: Normandy hubs (with wingnuts) laced to Mavic SUP clincher rims.
I've been trying to identify the frame for about 8 months now, to no avail. It's Vitus tubed, chrome Nervex Pro Mk. 1 lugs, and nicely constructed. The lugs are finely filed and the forged Simplex LJ ends are smoothed off and tapered. The top eyes are rounded, tapered, and semi-wrap (much like a British frame). The paint is very thin with neat detailing around the lugs.
Size is 56cm (I'll take more complete measurements in a bit)
My best guess on the manufacturer (and thank you Norris for your help) is Marcaillou or Lapebie. The construction is similar to a Urago, La Perle, Stella, etc. from that era, but the serial# stamped on the headtube is an unusual practice that not many makers followed. I'd be happy to summarize my findings for anyone interested in trying to establish provenance.
I'm asking $775 OBO + shipping. The parts alone are worth almost that much, and I can ship insured anywhere in the Continental US for $50 or less.
I've also got a 1970's Meral with a lot of paint chips for $300 is anyone's interested.
Ben Butler,
Brooklyn, NY