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cycle appears to be one produced for Mel Pinto Imports of Falls Church Virginia
the coat-of-arms transfer on the cycle's head tube is that of the Pinto family -
the machine looks to date from the early-to-mid 1980's
Mel Pinto Imports, or MPI for short, is yet in operation today
company founder passed earlier this year at the age of ninety-seven
en.wikipedia.org
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do not recognize the manufacturer of the machine. MPI had a long association with Gitane; AFAIK that ended many years ago.
at one point they were also an agent for Urago cycles.
forum member
@MauriceMoss may be able to identify the actual producer of the machine....
MPI had numerous house branded products, both cycles and accessories.
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fittings -
Stronglight model 99 chainset
Simplex SLJ gear ensemble with Suntour Barcon shifters
MAFAC cantilever brakes
ATOM rear drum brake
Lyotard model Berthet pedals
AFA frame pump
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" The most unique feature is the wide bottom bar under the pump."
in frame building terminology this is known as the bottom tube. the oval shape seen here is standard on a Reynolds tubing tandem set. it is widely found on high quality lightweight tandem machines.
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here is a forum discussion thread on an example whose owner states it to be from the early 1970's
its downtube exhibits a similar "Mel Pinto Special" transfer as seen on the subject machine -
Tandem Cycling - Mel Pinto Tandem Restoral - I finally found a home for the Mel Pinto project hanging in my garage (for several years). Posting pictures below. It had bounced around my extended family for years (originally early 70's I think), when it unexpectedly showed up at my doorstep in bad...
www.bikeforums.net
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