[CR]French bike identification help?

(Example: Production Builders:Cinelli:Laser)

Date: Fri, 5 May 2006 17:44:33 -0500
From: Tom Hayes <hayesbikes@gmail.com>
To: classicrendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]French bike identification help?

I have recently received a French bike; it appears to be from the 1950's or 1960's. It was sold to me as a Peugeot, but I am fairly sure that it is no t a Peugeot.

It has the following identification on it: the rear drop-outs are Simplex without a derailleur braze-on, with the following serial number on the left drop-out, 43688, and on the right rear drop-out it has the number, 262; on the front drop-out is 62. There was a headbadge but it has been removed. It has a braze-on the top, right side of the bottom bracket, something that looks almost like a channel through which a Campagnolo single tunnel derailleur guide is fitted; underneath the right chain stay is a braze-on that I do not know what it is; it has a rear derailleur stop; it has pump braze-ons on the downtube. Underneath the bottom bracket there is no serial number (that's why I thought it was not a Peugeot), but there is the Nervex lug markings.

It is completely chromed. It absolutely does not appear as if paint has been removed, more that it is original chrome. The components appear to be from the fifties and sixties: Simplex rear derailluer, Huret front derailleur, Campagnolo hubs without the record markings on Nisi rims, Mafac Dural Forge brakes, with M.A.F.A.C. levers, straight seatpost with a Brook Professional with no date on it, Ava stem.

I have posted a number of pictures at the following site: http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/mystery-french-bike If anyone could help me identify this bike, I would appreciate it.

Thank you.

Cheers.

Tom

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Tom Hayes
Chagrin Falls, Ohio