Paint Colors And Travertine

Pepe is back at home: 11 months after ...

We have an old tandem for several years now. It is a very experienced craftsman builder by fans of old bicycles. This artisan Levallois died in the late 70's, concluding nearly 50 years of French expertise in creating bikes and tandems handmade.

We found the pair in very poor condition. I had already made a big cleanup and upgrading necessary to roll a few kilometers. Unfortunately, this partial restoration was largely insufficient. There was much work to do re-solder and change much of the equipment.

I met Gerard St. Martin (of Cambes in the 33) in September 2007. He was very reluctant to start this work and I had a little trouble persuading him to take the pair to his house to restore. I brought her granddad in November 2007.
Since the message waiting Ms. St. Martin was the same: "It's complicated but it works!".
I reported in May 2008, several antique pieces to Mr. St. Martin. I have Heather in the mechanical and flea markets on eBay. We mainly discussed the technical options and equipment was rehabilitated. My wish was to make a tandem to ride "and not a faithful restoration period. I did not make concessions on security, comfort and braking (especially since Bea does not like the speed and quickly fear behind!) But I wanted to work "in spirit" to meet the work of the artisan manufacturer.


is the result, 11 months after Pepe is back in St. Martin, with more than 50 hours of craftsmanship. It is slightly metallic British racing green, beautiful!
By working and removing Pepe, Mr. St. Martin was found under the steering column an odd number: 15.51 punched in the mass of the pivot.
is typically its identity: it was the 15th bike made in the year 1951 by this artisan!

Now we know the age of Pepe 57 years. It is young for a grandpa, but Pepe is the same!

Bea and Ms. St. Martin in the famous store of the Capri Road Saint Cambes (this small village is located on the banks of the Garonne River, not far from Bordeaux).

Pepe at home with new Michelin tires Megamium 650B x 32 of the Brotherhood of 650.

Since we completed two outings. WHAT FUN! In our new adventures: keep in touch on this page, I'll give you some news from the next outputs Pepe, driver David and Bea store (store it in the language tandem cyclist = rear).