As I mentioned a couple of minutes ago I have just this week picked up a 1970-1 PX10E frame (serial #1679308) from someone on the iBOB list (for a great price). I am venturing into the world of French bikes for the first time (after having a love affair with British bikes). The new frame is in very good shape - will need some touch-ups here and there - it also came with many of its original components. I know little about these bikes, other than what appears on the PX10 database.
Quick questions,
What bars and stems can be used on these bikes other than AVA? I was reading Sheldon's comments about the AVA bar and stem and its unreliability - were there French alternatives? If I use something different will it affect authenticity? Or should I just go for safety first?
Does anyone have a spare Simplex name-plate for the rear derailleur? Mine is missing.
Does anyone have a spare Stronglight BB that they are willing to sell me?
If other PX10 owners could contact me off-list that would be great so that I can get an idea of where I can go for advice. Thanks.
Paul Williams, Ottawa "where it is going to be above zero C today" ON, Canada
> Has anyone documented the differences in Mafac Racer/early Competition
brake
> levers? I know of at least four variations:
>
> 1. The earliest being open along all of the underside.
> 2. The next version being closed along the upper half of the underside.
The
> section of lever that has the closed bottom is almost completely round in
> cross section like an "O."
> 3. A third version with a closed bottom as just described except with a
> cross section like a "D" with the flat being the underside - this is by
far
> the most common.
> 4. A fourth version with the closed bottom as described but where the side
> profile of the whole lever is much more curvaceous than 99% of the
"normal"
> lever profile.
>
> My camera is at work so I cannot take pictures of these right now but have
> attached two eBay photos shoeing the 3rd and 4th examples I've mentioned
> above.
>
> Are there more variations? Does anyone know what years the various
changes
> took place?
>
> The only estimates I can provide is that version two above was in the late
> sixties as it is on my very original 1968/69 PX-10E.
>
> Here is the link to the common version #3:
>
http://ebay.com/
> 9>
>
> Here is the link to the curvaceous version #4:
>
http://ebay.com/
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Eric Elman
> Snowy Somers, CT