[CR]Things I've learned about French Components** Don't do it!

From: "Bruce & Marie Van Remortel" <vrgeckos@ite.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001 07:35:56 +1000
In-Reply-To: <CATFOOD543TuylJc0xv000016f7@catfood.nt.phred.org>
Subject: [CR]Things I've learned about French Components** Don't do it!

All,

I received a lot of great tips as usual about Huret products (also applies to Simplex for the most part) that may be of interest to other list members that are into French parts or want to be.

Regarding the French specific 531 tube diameters (28.0mm vice the 28.6 BSC standard) and Front derailleurs/shift levers/pump clips, etc:

"If the Huret Jubilee front derailleur is BSC (28.6), it is marked "28.6" at the hinge neighborhood of frame clamp. But there is not a marking in earliest Jubilee front derailleurs. In this case there is not a way of judgment except that, actually, you put it on a frame. French size Jubilee front derailleurs do not always have a marking. Earliest Jubilee front derailleur has five slots to a guide plate in addition to above. It is the hardest to find NOS earliest Jubilee front derailleurs for BSC. Thank you, Satoru"

By the way Satoru has a great web page http://members.aol.com/~satorumas/index.htm#MY%20BICYCLES and has a few classic French parts for sale including an NOS French diameter Jubilee Front ($100), vintage Stronglight 55 crankset, etc. The prices are in Yen, delete two zeros and you'll be in the ballpark as far as the cost in US dollars. I've purchased from him and he gave excellent service. Check out his gallery of Toei bikes and you'll be impressed!

Jerry Moos also pointed out that numerous bikes had the 531 French diameter tubing including Motobecane, Peugeot, Gitane, etc. I know they are French I just didn't realize the diameters were different than other bikes, I figured that was just for exotics like Singer...

Anyway, any one have a BSC Jubilee Front derailleur (mint or better) they want to trade for a "five Slot" NOS French diameter Jubilee?! Let me know.

Oh yeah, I've also found it's hard to find HIGH quality pedals in French 14mm pedal thread to fit my Stronglight 49D, and those straddle wires for MAFAC Competitions (Ball on both sides) are HARD to find (but I did :)). Mike Barry at Bicycle Specialties carries MAFAC Braze-on's to mount "Competition/Racer" type brakes directly to a frame...

Hope this helps some budding French bike lover... (I won't get into the Jubilee rear derailleur being either for Campagnolo-type OR Huret specific dropouts... Thanks Cyclart for saving my butt on that issue!)

Regards, Bruce Van Remortel, USAF, Guam USA, still 80-something...