Andy M’s 1962 Gitane Hosteler

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We’re closing out our week here in the Gallery in real style with today’s entry. Finishing off a trifecta of Gitane, Andy M’s 1962 Gitane Hosteler.  See you Monday!

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Here is my my Old ten Speed. It is about a 1962 (give or take a few years) Gitane Hosteler I found at a local charity bike shop. It cost me a whopping $42.00 and came with an ancient folding child’s seat and about 50 spokey-dokeys on it. I cleaned it up a bit, added new tires, tubes, brake hoods, barwrap and regreased everything. I added a period bottle cage. It rides really nice and is a lot of fun. I love the color matched racks and fender center stripes. I hope to rewire and get the lights working. It has a bunch of old Minneapolis Bike Licenses on it, the oldest expired July 1, 1964. This fellow is a true survivor!

Andy M

Related posts:

  1. Sandi’s 1974 Hosteler Mixte
  2. Monday Market (Tuesday Edition): Chris U’s 1962 Schwinn Varsity Sport Touring
  3. Andy B’s 1970′s Road Runner 10-Speed
  4. Andy B’s Norco Monshee
  5. Timothy J.’s 1962 Schwinn Superior
  • BeaterRezQ

    Andy,
    absolutely-freakin’-awesome!
    I love everything about that bike. It has parts that you might not ever see anywhere, anytime.
    The two racks and the fancy chain guard have me filled with envy.
    PLEASE DON’T POWDERCOAT THE FRAME OR MAKE IT A S/S-FIXIE!!!
    …just ride it as is with head held high.”
    BRQ

  • Trailerparkcyclist

    I agree with Beater. A natural beauty. Congratulations on your prize.

  • Ryan Surface

    What a cool ride! I love those racks and front one with integrated headlight is wonderful. Thanks for sharing. magnifique!

  • Anonymous

    Wow. I covet those fenders. And the chain guard… That’s a keeper.

  • John H

    Whats the purpose of the bicycle license? Are they required for the bike and the rider?

  • Trailerparkcyclist

    John, when I was a wee Hoosier boy in the ’60′s each year a police officer would come to our school with a box of miniature metal license plates. In exchange for a dollar, he would record your name, make, serial number etc and give you a plate.

    Not a bad idea, except if the gov. started doing it again they would probably run it through the DMV and the tag would cost half a weeks pay and require standing in line for hours waiting to be made angry by the drone behind the desk.

    At least that’s how they did it in my day. Those tags would make a cool collector’s item .

    TPC

    • BeaterRezQ

      TPC,
      nice tidbit of information there. I knew it to be a form of registering the bike
      to said owner–as far as the sticker for the frame, but I always thought the metal license plate was just a novelty item. In good days gone by the local law tracked ownership through the actual plate, nice.
      to note: I would rather have a colonoscopy than go to the circus we call DMV.
      BRQ

  • Andy M

    Thanks for the great comments. I really like this bike and intend to just ride it and keep it maintained and fairly authentic. Original paint will be kept and it will never ever ever be a”fixie” Ugghhh!