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Info and advice on my Louison Bobet *Bicycle completed*

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I put the bike into the stand this evening and gave it an overall assessment.
It doesn't have any rust issues. Everything moves, nothing is frozen.
The wheels will need to be trued and possibly replace the spokes.
All of the consumables will need replacement, tires, tubes ,cables etc.
The saddle is junk ,i will need to locate something more "correct" for the bike, Suggestions?
Brake hoods are barely there and it looks like replacements don't really exist, Is there a suitable full hood that would work?
Large chain ring has a bend in it and will need straightened.
Overall it really needs a complete service, clean and polish.
 
The rear derailleur is early 60's. If the jockey wheel cage has four tension prongs then it's the earlier Alvitt piece that was used by Schwinn in 1961 and 62. The second gen with three tension prongs was use in 1962-1963 and part of 1964 on Schwinns. I would have to assume that one was used on other makes until Huret came out with the Hersey Kiss style Alvitt that showed up sometime in 1964. The jockey wheel cage was changed in 1966 and only had two prongs along with the wheels being changed to nylon verses all steel.
 
The gold decal on the seat tube says
''The Bike Spot"
New and used
1022 main st
Santa Clara
241-9747

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Thank you.

The forum has a thread for posting of bicycle shop transfers here:


If you are able to make a photo of it it would make a fine addition to the discussion.


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Forgot to mention above that the forum has had previous discussions on Louison Bobet cycles. You may wish to peruse them -

Help needed to date a Louison Bobet

Mighty Louison Bobet frame 59cm


Rare 60’s Louison Bobet racing bike


Louison Bobet

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WRT replacement half hoods for the bicycle's MAFAC brake levers -

the french rubber goods manufacturer Rustines has produced replicas in the recent past

at last report stocks had been exhausted

they state they hope to offer them again but have been unable to locate needed materials

when the pandemic hit in 2020 they switched over some of their productive capacity to the manufacture of personal protective equipment - PPE

here is the address if you would like to contact them directly -

ARL ETS L. RUSTIN

Régine TROUILLARD

102 RUE PERCHERON

72340 LA CHARTRE SUR LE LOIR

0243444256

another source you could check is french ebay

the french term for them is "cocottes"

you may find it easier to locate the full hoods; they would be a good fit, just not period correct


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WRT bent chainwheel -

there is some information here:



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you asked for suggestions regarding saddle:

ex-works the machine would have been fitted with a conventional leather saddle of french manufacture from one of the numerous producers of the day

largest/best known among these is the firm Tron et Berthet
they produced saddles in several brand names; largest of these is Ideale

me guesstimate is that an Ideale model Nr. 42 would be "just right"

another roughly plausible model would be Nr. 80

here are some catalogue pages giving an overview of the manufacturer's products -

Ideale Catalogue 1977.jpg


Ron Kitching Tron et Berthet page .png


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chainset -

you mention having a cycle shop do the crank cotters

for a through job this would mean two visits: one for disassembly and one for reassembly in order to give you a chance for cleaning and derusting.
NERVAR plating is fairly good, you should have good plating showing following derusting.

the cotter pin size for the set is 9.0mm in diameter with a "medium" cut

would encourage you to consider doing the cotters yourself; it is not necessary to have a special tool

they can be pressed out and back in with the use of a simple C-clamp as in this illustration:

C-clamp as cotter pin press .jpg


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you asked for suggestions regarding saddle:

ex-works the machine would have been fitted with a conventional leather saddle of french manufacture from one of the numerous producers of the day

largest/best known among these is the firm Tron et Berthet
they produced saddles in several brand names; largest of these is Ideale

me guesstimate is that an Ideale model Nr. 42 would be "just right"

another roughly plausible model would be Nr. 80

here are some catalogue pages giving an overview of the manufacturer's products -

View attachment 1892307

View attachment 1892308

---

chainset -

you mention having a cycle shop do the crank cotters

for a through job this would mean two visits: one for disassembly and one for reassembly in order to give you a chance for cleaning and derusting.
NERVAR plating is fairly good, you should have good plating showing following derusting.

the cotter pin size for the set is 9.0mm in diameter with a "medium" cut

would encourage you to consider doing the cotters yourself; it is not necessary to have a special tool

they can be pressed out and back in with the use of a simple C-clamp as in this illustration:

View attachment 1892314

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I really cant express how grateful I am with the help and knowledge you have given me. It has truly made my experience with bike seem so much easier. Truly..thank you!
 
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addendum -

forgot to mention saddle clip above

if you locate a conventional leather saddle of french manufacture you would like to employ it is possible it may be without a clip

when sold new they came with a clip

the clip presently on the cycle is poor and would suggest not to reuse it

Tron et Berthet offered two levels of clip under their Ideale marque

their standard model is above the ordinary in quality and they also offered a deluxe model with greater adjustability -

Ideale, Tron et Berthet, saddle clip .jpeg


Ideale model 90 advert  .jpg


ideale seat clip, special competition .jpeg


ideale saddle clip e) .jpeg


Ideale seat clip nr. 3 b) .jpeg


if considering purchase of a used saddle with clip or of a used clip separately it would be wise to verify that clip's splines are not stripped

this often happens when clip is not tight enough and all of the rider's weight shifts to either the front or the rear - splines shear

once splines shear it is difficult to get clip to hold an adjustment

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Frame -

lug pattern: BOCAMA 51/I

fork crown & cap: BOCAMA

bottom bracket shell: RGF (Raccords Gargatte Freres)

dropouts: NERVEX Ref. 1028

tube set: Mercier house branded hi-tensile termed "LUXTUB"

View attachment 1890630

Fittings -

here are some manufacturer catalogue pages illustrating a few of the cycle's components:

View attachment 1890631

View attachment 1890632

View attachment 1890634

View attachment 1890636

View attachment 1890665

non-original bits present: saddle, saddle clip, wheel reflectors, rear reflector

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Louison Bobet -

in this image he is seen in the yellow leader's jersey during the TdF of 1954; he went on to win the event

he is astride a Stella cycle in this case

View attachment 1890666

poster of him doing motor-pacing on a Stella, 1953 -

View attachment 1890667

competing in the TdF of 1953, which he went on to win -

View attachment 1890651

long after his retirement there were also some Louison Bobet badged cycles produced by the firm Meral


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Dating -

no easy answer to your question here

in some cases it can be a paint or transfer which was employed only for a brief time

in other cases it can be a particular fitting which enjoyed but a brief production life

in this case it is a combination of several clues

two date bracketing components are the Normandy Sport hubs and the Huret Allvit 600 front gear mech


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the gold rectangular transfer at the top of the seat tube appears it may be from a cycle shop

would be interesting to know how it reads

first word appears it may be "San" which suggests a possible origin with one of the shops on Stanyan Street in San Francisco

one national seller of Bobet bicycles at this time was Gene Portuesi, proprietor of the Cyclo-Pedia mail order catalogue, originally based on Michigan Avenue in Detroit and subsequently relocated to Cadillac MI


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Do you have s link for those brochures?
 
I was given this bike by a co worker who was cleaning out his garage. I have searched here and other forums trying to figure out what i have as well as history of the brand. Its very complete but needs some love and id like to get it rideable. How can i tell what year and model it is? Im aware that its not a high end bike but Is it worth my time to put effort into making it use-able again? Thank you for your time and i would greatly appreciate any information or advice you can give!

View attachment 1889614

View attachment 1889615

View attachment 1889616

View attachment 1889617
Nice. If it is Mercier based I am sure it will be a great ride for someone. Hope it fits you. I had an early 70's Mercier. One of my favorites. Entry level but a lot better than anything else available where I lived. Lost in a house fire.
 
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you asked for suggestions regarding saddle:

ex-works the machine would have been fitted with a conventional leather saddle of french manufacture from one of the numerous producers of the day

largest/best known among these is the firm Tron et Berthet
they produced saddles in several brand names; largest of these is Ideale

me guesstimate is that an Ideale model Nr. 42 would be "just right"

another roughly plausible model would be Nr. 80

here are some catalogue pages giving an overview of the manufacturer's products -

View attachment 1892307

View attachment 1892308

---

chainset -

you mention having a cycle shop do the crank cotters

for a through job this would mean two visits: one for disassembly and one for reassembly in order to give you a chance for cleaning and derusting.
NERVAR plating is fairly good, you should have good plating showing following derusting.

the cotter pin size for the set is 9.0mm in diameter with a "medium" cut

would encourage you to consider doing the cotters yourself; it is not necessary to have a special tool

they can be pressed out and back in with the use of a simple C-clamp as in this illustration:

View attachment 1892314

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Don't forget penetrating oil (WD40 is not penetrating oil) Notice the nut threaded partially on so you don't damage the threds.
 
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