There doesn't seem to be much oxidation there that wouldn't be fixed by a bit of scrubbing with a brass brush and some oil. Maybe the seatpost wouldn't clean up all that well, but the cranks and quick releases would come out looking just fine. The unplated bits like the rim eyelets look fine too. They are nearly 50 year old unprotected steel after all.
Sometimes I think we get too hung up on something being perfect, rather than appreciating what it actually is. In this case, a nice bike that's remained unaltered and hasn't been stored all that poorly for 47 years or so.
Steve Birmingham Lowell, Massachusetts USA
Message: 3 Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2011 04:28:45 -0500 From: George Hollenberg <ghollmd@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [CR] Helyett Sp?ciale To: alex m <alexpianos@yahoo.fr> Cc: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Message-ID: <AANLkTimKXpHXo5g57kg68=WD=n6wApSUG2_BPC8qEedi@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi Alex: This is an interesting cycle, but its condition seems very poor to me. The extensive oxidation (rust) etc. would seem to be very tough to repair-or, at the very least very costly to alleviate-- perhaps beyond what the bike is worth? *Please carefully describe all the damage -including that NOT shown in the photos*. My Herse experience has shown me that the hidden damage is more problematic than that which is shown. Thanks, George
2011/1/15 alex m <alexpianos@yahoo.fr>
> Ebay item 360336217113
>
> Interesting selection of parts on this bike fitted with innovative but
> short lived French parts that help date the bike quite precisely :
> Mafac Top
> 63 brakes (with their correct straddlers...) and Simplex Prestige
> derailleurs.
>
> I guess the bike is 1963, Anquetil's 1962 win in the Tour de France
> (he moved to Gitane in 1963) must have made this bike a popular choice
> for pro or semi pro riders.
>
> Alexander March
> Bordeaux
> France