Jay's is just like the 1976 one I bought new as a young teenager. However, mine had/has the Huret Jubilee derailleurs and the tt cable clamps are the thinner Huret ones. Jay, what cable clamps are they? Does yours say Tour de France on it anywhere? Mine didn't but I've learned on list here that was not unusual in Gitane's hectic mid-70 years.
Dan asks, "are they respected, collected or rejected?" The answer is yes, yes, and yes. Because the high end Gitanes are factory bikes and becuase they don't have thinned filed lugs, fine paint, or careful finishing details, they are not admired in the same way some other marques are on CR. And they won't demand high prices. But they are respected and apreciated for being good race bikes that were used for lots of famous wins by great riders. Much like the appreciation for the high end Peugeots. Gitanes have their own workmanlike elegance and quality materials, and they are collected for these reasons as well as the sentimental reasons that drive some of our collecting of many marques.
I've been riding mine for 34 years. It was my first race bike, attended my early racing, was patient like a good Nantes wife with my obsession with Campagnolo and Italian beauties, cheerfully did duty as my fixed gear hack in London winters, did fixed gear touring around Britain and Ireland, accepted 3 re-paints, 2 nice ones and a rattle can job, and even accepted getting dolled up in N.Record one season. For some years has been back in its mostly original kit. Still solid, going strong, Jubilee still shifts smoothly. What else could you want from a bike? If I didn't have it for some reason, I'd probably be looking for one to replace it.
Mitch Harris
Little Rock Canyon, Utah, USA
On Sat, Feb 20, 2010 at 3:40 PM, Jay Dubiel <zoomdog@pure.net> wrote:
> Dan,
> If the Gitane you are referring to is like the one in my attached link, I
> have to say that I am very fond of mine, which happens to be this actual
> bike. A 1976 TdF in original condition. Very few of these were imported into
> the USA compared to the early '70's models.
>
>
> http://s517.photobucket.com/
>
> Jay Dubiel
> Halifax, VA USA