Hi Listers,
I have this old Jeunet Captivante track bike I'd like to date. I bought it from an old guy over 20 years ago and he's not with us anymore, so I can't ask. The frame is clearly gaspipe because there are no markings and I recall it was quite easy straighten the fork when I noticed it was twisted. The fork blades are round, incidentally, as they should be on a track bike. I drilled the fork crown to mount a brake. I can't find a serial number anywhere. Dropouts are stamped and I can see gaps where they are brazed. Hubs are high flange Normandy (at least the front still is) and rims are Mavic red label tubular laced with plated spokes. Stem is alloy BF. The seat post was a tubular one with a clamp, but I replaced it with a La Prade I turned down. Pedals look like Lyotard quill with alloy cages. The only part I can date is the Brooks Swallow saddle, which is stamped 8 67 inside the frame. I had presumed the bike was from the seventies, but only recently discovered the date on the saddle. I think the saddle is original, or the owner would have kept it rather than selling it with the bike if it had been his favourite saddle from another bike. Here are some pictures. Is there any reason this bike should be newer than 1967?
http://img134.imageshack.us/
http://img218.imageshack.us/
http://img174.imageshack.us/
John Betmanis <johnb@oxford.net>
Woodstock, ON Canada