Most of the TdF's of that era I've seen (including my own 1972) have unmarked AVA bars. My guess is that English made bars would be unmarked (in the visible area) GB bars like came on the Raleigh International and models below the International. They would have looked very similar to the AVA's. However, French bars, or a French stem would have been 25.0 mm, while English bars would almost surely have been 25.4 mm. What is the stem?
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
veterinary technician <thebiggoogster@hotmail.com> wrote:
So the one that I call "my baby" is my 1972 tdf. I love my all original bike
but have always wondered about my handlebars....Although I have maintained
it well, I had always resisted the urge to tear the original leather off
because there was just something I liked about it. The other week I finally
got the guts to eliminate the old wrap and apply some brand new cork. At
the very end of the L side (where you would pop in the end cap) is a stamp:
"England".
I have always said that one thing you could never accuse Gitane of is
consistancy. I believe that the guys grabbed whatever parts were in the shop
that day. Can anybody offer a thought as to what the English bars may be? I
like em'