Double the pleasure, double the fun

How ’bout a pair of Gitane to make you insane

The weekend is here and I need a beer

or ten

Women’s (Mixte frame): 20” frame Weinmann brake levers with Dia-Compe safety levers Mafac Racer center-pull brakes Shimano shifters Hurét front derailleur Suntour GT rear derailleur Lyotard pedals Brevete AFA toe clips with Lapize leather straps Chainsets: 40-52 Cassette: 14-17-20-24-28 Hutchinson tires: 27”x1-1/4” Speed Professional leather seat Lightweight fenders Aluminum Pletscher rear rack

Men’s: 23-1/2” frame Weinmann brake levers with Dia-Compe safety levers Weinmann Vaincoeur center-pull brakes Shimano shifters Hurét front derailleur Suntour GT rear derailleur Lyotard pedals Brevete AFA toe clips with Lapize leather straps Chainsets: 40-52 Cassette: 14-17-20-24-28 Hutchinson tires: 27”x1-1/4” The Seat by Cool Gear Lightweight fenders Aluminum Pletscher rear rack

I was just about to put these Gitanes on Craigslist for a nominal price to make room in the basement when I happened across this website—was I being too hasty? We bought them in Syracuse NY in early ’72, from “Wayne’s Bike Shop” on Butternut Street—the only way I know that is that his label is on the stem. (Along with one that says “Custom Made.”)
They haven’t accumulated that many miles—I rode mine to work for six months while working in Syracuse, had a few 25 mile weekend rides, and when we moved back to the Washington DC area, we took occasional trips along the C&O Canal.  But the original Worthington tires still have plenty of tread remaining.
The bikes been mainly resting in our basement since then, except when they went into storage when we moved to Germany from ’89 to ’91.  To take advantage of Frankfurt’s bike-friendly environs we bought Fischer hybrid bikes, which have been all we’ve used since our return. Including an ill-fated Tour de Geezers: http://www.jludwick.com/Notes/Miscellaneous/Geezers.html
I’ve listed everything I can find from the bike component labeling. I’m pretty sure the fenders, safety levers, rear carriers and toe clips were added, and I know The Seat is a more recent replacement, but I’m not sure if other components might have been changed, if that’s important to the value.  And now that I think of it, maybe the “Custom Made” label means that Wayne equipped them that way when we purchased them—after nearly 40 years, the details are a little fuzzy!

Thanks Jack