Lots of chrome on this fine orange A-Frame from the mid seventies, which was brought to our attention by Martin from Arnhem. The serial number database estimates it to be 1975, but as always that can easily be off a year or two.

 

Champion Mondial A-Frame
Ebay Auction

  
             

In the words of the Ebay seller: A typical "barn-find", a Gazelle Champion Mondial, one of the masterpieces of Dutch bike building. This is, most probably, a 1976 or 1977 bike. There are a few clues: 1) Campagnoo Nuovo Record rear derailleur: 1977; 2) the cranks both have a 7 in a diamond and 3) the serial number (3180089) on the bracket has a number which corresponds with one of the earlier Gazelle Champion Mondial. See this site with a lot of history on Champion Mondial: http://fivenineclimber.com/bikes/gazelle/gazelle_pages.htm. An unique bike for those who love Gazelle.

This orange-brown Reynolds 531 Gazelle has an almost complete Campagnolo (Nuovo) Record group: headset; bottom bracket; brakes and brake levers; front and rear derailleur (1977); shifters (with clamp); crankset (52 x 42); seatpost, hubs, cable clamp at bracket. The chainwheels are in a remarkable good condition considering its age!

Cable clamps horizontal tube and pump peg: Reg.
The handle bar is a Cinelli Giro d'Italia (40 cm outside) mounted in a 3TTT stem (100 mm). Some black handelbar tape in a bad state.
Pedals are Japanese (?) with Christophe toe-clips and no-name red straps.
Wheels: Campagnolo Record hubs with Nisi rims (with at least 1 broken spoke) and tubular tires (front one does not hold air). A Maillard 5 speed freewheel is mounted. Chain: unknown.
Sizing: frame is 60 cm Italian (C-T) or 58 -58,5 cm C-C, toptube is 58 cm C-C. Rear spacing: 120 mm; seatpost 27,2 mm
The Gazelle has a special spare-tire holder under the Brooks saddle, however the rubber band is almost gone ........!
General condition is good: straight and dent free. However this is the state in which it was found! The steering feels heavy, the grease will be hardended in time; the freewheel does not spin very enthousiastic; the rubbers of the brakelevers are badly worn, the rubbers from the brake adjusting are lost; the brakes have lost their outer bolts; places of rust on all the chrome; at least 1 broken spoke etc. etc. The fronttire does not hold the air and maybe a lot more which I did overlook.....In short: a good project for coming months and in need of a lot of Tender-Loving-Care!
                 
 

Our comments: The A-Frames from this epoch were often garnished with plenty of chrome, and as such represents the best of the era. These bikes are often found with high-end Campagnolo groups and tubular rims, indicating their racing heritage.

On the bicycle shown here the components are in relatively poor shape (acorn nuts missing from brake calipers, chrome parts badly rusted, rotting rubber), while the paint and chrome on the frame is good enough to consider a restoration not involving a respray.

This style of frame is usually without any braze-ons for cable guides or downtube shifters, which, in our opinion adds style and authenticity to the bike.
                 
       
 
 
 
  Right: The Reynolds tubing transfer indicates the period from 1975 to 77 and the time of construction. See here how to use these decals to date your frame.
             
 
   
 
 
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