Re: [CR] Been offered a LeJeune Tandem... Anyone got info?

(Example: Events:Eroica)

In-Reply-To: <20100217113300.GE11551@pluto.bananas.dk>
References: <20100217052209.GC11551@pluto.bananas.dk> <4B7B9B0D.6090106@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:55:57 +0000
From: "Norris Lockley" <nlockley73@googlemail.com>
To: verktyg <verktyg@aol.com>, Hans Joergensen <haj@nathue.dk>, <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR] Been offered a LeJeune Tandem... Anyone got info?


Hello, Jorgen,

I used to import a few Lejeune tandems on the 70s and 80s - the company had a useful range of three models to cover most types of usage.

Your model is the basic one, called, unimaginatively the 1000. The frame size is 56cms front and 52cms rear.
>From the general finish of the frame, paint, decals etc I think your tandem might be ann early 70s one.

I will try to scan the catalogue, so that you can have some idea of the spec. From what I can see on the photos, quite a lot of it is original.

Norris Lockley

Settle UK

On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 11:33 AM, Hans Joergensen <haj@nathue.dk> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Thanks a lot for your reply.
>
> I just transferred money to the seller so I guess I got myself a
> tandem :)
>
> I have been looking for a proper tandem build for dropbars for some
> time, but they seem to rare as hen's teeth here in Denmark.. So how
> could I say no to this one?
>
> Most tandems here, and I guess a lot of other countries are cheap
> and extremely heavy build for up-right riding, and most of them are
> really ugly.
>
> It looks to be the exact same model as this one here:
> http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/CV-6+Enterprises/LeJeune/Tucson+Tandem/
>
> The rear-wheel is obviosly unoriginal, and the original gear-parts
> are missing.
>
> What would be authentic equipment on a bike like this? Sachs-Huret
> or Malliard-gears or something like that?
>
> // Hans
>
> On 16-Feb-2010, verktyg wrote:
> > Hans,
> >
> > I really can't speak from personal experience but Lejeune had a
> > reputation for "selling" good tandems.
> >
> > My guess is that this tandem is from the early 70s.
> >
> > Back in the 70s at least one French frame builder made a lot of tandem
> > frames like this one. I'd heard that it was Follis but it's hard to say.
> >
> > The frames were badged as Follis, Lejeune, Andre Bertin and other French
> > marques. During the mid 70s Mel Pinto Imports sold some of these frames
> > here in the US without any decals.
> >
> > I built up a number of tandems with these frames with several different
> > marques.
> >
> > They were supposedly made with Vitus 172 tubes and some came with decals
> > for that tubing. They all had the distinctive wide dual plate crown.
> > Most of the ones like this that I've seen or worked on used 650B size
> > tires.
> >
> > The Andre Bertin tandems that we sold that looked like this frame
> > weighed about 40 lbs. with good quality French alloy components.
> >
> > The frame appears to be in good condition and looks like it has some
> > kind of internal gear hub plus alloy rims. The chain to the rear hub is
> > missing.
> >
> > For $250 I'd snap it up! Even if it were made of gas pipe carbon steel
> > tubing it could be a lot of fun to ride. It could be easily upgraded
> > with TA alloy cranks, front and rear derailleurs if desired and better
> > bars.
> >
> > I'd guess the seatube sizes are maybe 57cm or 58cm front and 54cm rear?
> >
> > Chas. Colerich
> > Oakland, CA USA
> >
> >
> > Hans Joergensen wrote:
> >> Hello,
> >>
> >> I have been offered this tandem for about $250 including shipping to
> >> my house.. I know danish prices will be a bit different but does
> >> that seem fair? The bike need a bit of work as you can see.
> >>
> >> http://pluto.bananas.dk/~haj/tandem/tandem1.jpg
> >> http://pluto.bananas.dk/~haj/tandem/tandem2.jpg
> >> http://pluto.bananas.dk/~haj/tandem/tandem3.jpg
> >>
> >> As I'm unable to see it before purchase I'm wondering if anyone here
> >> knows LeJeune Tandem's?
> >>
> >> Should I expect it to be build by a reasonably light tubeset? Is this
> >> in any way a rare or valuable bike?
> >>
> >> How old would you say this is? I'd guess 60's?
> >>
> >> It seems to have good paint so I guess that if I get it I'll try to
> >> restore it to a more authentic gear-setup and get dropbars for both
> >> the front and the rear.. I have a thing for racing/touring tandems :)
> >>
> >> Anyone able to estimate the size of the bike from the picture? it
> >> looks to me like it's about 50-52cm seattube ctc on the stoker..
> >>
> >> Hans Joergensen
> >> Copenhagen, Denmark
>
> Hans Joergensen
> Copenhagen, Denmark