[CR]Mystery Bike

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Chater-Lea)

From: <IKersey@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2001 17:39:43 EDT
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Mystery Bike

Spotted a mystery bike this weekend -- definitely French, horrible red respray, no frame decals. Kid-sized racer (that's what got my attention, I'm looking for a Peugeot UJ-10 or UG-45CX 10-speed to fix up for my son). The frame was approximately 18" and was not lugged. It didn't have top tube brazed-on cable guides or cable clips (it was sporting zip-ties to hold the rear-brake cable in place!).

"So what?" you may say. Easily just another forgettable frame -- true enough, except for some of the parts: kid-sized quill Lyotard pedals with Christophe toe-clips and leather straps in great shape, MAFAC Racer brakes, Atax stem with French tricolour decal still affixed, 24 inch low-flange hubs with QRs (Sova?), Solida cotter-less cranks, and Suntour front and rear derailleurs.

I turned the bike over and spotted an oversprayed serial number plate riveted to the BB, just like an old Peugeot from the early seventies. So my question to the francophiles out there is this... if it walks and talks like a duck, is this a late seventies/early eighties non-lugged kiddie Peugeot? Did anyone else used to rivet on serial number plates to the BB? I'm considering going back for it, if only for the parts -- anyone have any idea what it's worth.

Thanks,

Ian Kersey