Mark Battley's Frejus

Mark Battley has, more or less, finished the Frejus Super Corsa that I sold to him (misidentified as a Tour de France) a few months ago.
You can see his before and after photos here.
He can't rest too long on his laurels though, because he has the ex-Bruce O'Halloran 1968 Colnago that caused a brief frenzy on the CR List earlier in the year.

CBAD

That's Compulsive Bicycle Acquisition Disorder, and I've got it.
So has Matt Seaton who wrote in 'Two Wheels' of an addiction that requires 'a degree of subterfuge in hiding one's compulsive bike acquisition habit from one's family that only alcoholics and serial adulterers would recognise.'

I'm lucky that my Spousal Unit prefers an ever increasing inventory of old bikes to finding whiskey bottles or teenage mistresses in the wardrobe, but some CBAD sufferers are not so lucky. On occasion I have provided discreet storage and other laundering facilities to friends who have added to their collections without spousal sanction.

Yesterday I was uncharacteristically restrained, deciding not to bid on this 1972 Frejus frame, although I have wanted one ever since I sold my first one in 1979. I don't think this indicates that I am getting my problem under control- there were too many potential logistical hurdles extracting it from the United States.

The Frejus is gone...

and as I write, Mark Battley is explaining to his wife how their lives will be enriched by the greasy 50-year old bicycle he has brought home.

FOR SALE 1956 Frejus Tour De France $240

An ill-advised Trademe purchase from earlier in the year, which I would like to quit for what it owes me.
This bike could be made into a clean, useable thing with a couple of days work, or restored to original condition.

As is typical with older Italian bikes, the paint is in good nick for it's age, but the chrome is peeling everywhere. If you want to retain the original finish you can keep the rust at bay with occasional applications of WD40 or similar.
The Dunlop Special Lightweight rims are also rusty, but I think they would look 100% better with a wire brushing.

More photos HERE. Double click on the image for full size.

Spec
Seat tube_____55cm centre to top
Top tube_____55cm
Headset______Frejus
Stem________GB Reynolds 531 10cm
Cranks_______Duprat with Magistroni chainrings
Brakes_______Mafac Dural Forge
Rear Derailler__Campagnolo Gran Sport (pre-1961)
Hubs
Rims________Dunlop Special Lightweight 27 x 1-1/4

EMAIL for more information, or call me on 021 2942888