2011 called, they want their Porteur project back... 70s(?) Mercier.

I remember a simpler time on this forum, back before we all became obsessed with sheds, gravel bikes, extensions and kids. A time when a current project thread involved little more than autosol and a new chain. It was all about lopros, resto-tarck and fawning over constructeur built french bikes.
The pizza, pelago and 24pack racks were little more than a glint in the milkman’s eye and we lusted after the romantic chic of a genuine porteur bike...

Ok, so I didn’t need to buy this and can’t afford to do much with it BUT, I’ve wanted a real porteur for god knows how long now. After a bit of excess over nye I put a stupid offer in on this Mercier. I forgot all about it but the guy just messaged and looks like I’m picking it up at the weekend.

Looks complete and straight. Fingers crossed I can go front to back and just replace consumables. Paint is rough but no way I’m looking at respray/decals any time soon.

Sellers pic.

1 Attachment

This is fantastic. Subbed.

So, obviously we’re going to experience some exciting thread choices on this thing. Fingers crossed the bb isn’t fucked.....
I do have a bit of a stash of TA cyclotouriste bits so can always get a VO bb if needs be.

Can’t work out from the pics if it’s 700c or 650b. If 650b it’s definitely getting the red gum Grand Bois tyres despite the price....

Will replace bottle dynamo with a new one and hopefully some better lighting(inc moving the light bracket from the left to right hand side of the rack).
Racks will be sanded back and clear coated as the paint looks way too far gone.

And yes, the main reason I put an offer in is because of the flared mudguards. Stunning.

That is gorgeous!
Here's mine I won on ebay about 6 years ago for £41 !
I had trouble getting new tyres, turns out they are 650 1/2B . I wanted either brown or red but could only find black with tan sidewalls.
I changed the bars and it's had a new bb and crank.
The coaster brake is surprisingly good ,the front brake is really poor especially in the wet.
I still haven't found out what make it is .
I generally ride it in the wet and it lives outside but it's one of my favourite bikes to ride !

1 Attachment

can’t afford to do much with it BUT

red gum Grand Bois tyres

Sub'd

Thanks for the info! £41 is a bargain!!
Might tap you up for your tyre supplier if it comes to it.
Obvs pretty hard to gauge wheel size from a few pics but to me they look like they could be 700c but we’ll see.

Big time excited for this.

Is that a rear coaster brake? Hope Boris's plans announced 8pm don't scupper your plans at collection...

I want to see the rear mudguard in all its glory.

Nothing like a good old fashioned beater. No one will top @fussballclub though.

I've always wanted a porteur, that's going to be a nice resto project.

There's a couple of threads on French forums, should be from the 60s, Nervex lugs, Torpedo coaster hub and of course 650b. Front drum is unusual though.

The shop still exists, give them a call?

It's a car/scooter hire shop in Marseille last time I checked, I think it was a hire bike from years ago 🤷‍♂️

It's a shop in Versailles, they've been around since 46 but is still family-owned apparently (there's an Antoine Jacquot in their YT video).

Yes, Boris’ announcement has indeed scuppered my plans somewhat. As a freelancer that has dabbled with bikes over the years the collection could be considered work. Have spoken with the seller and we’ll decide on Friday. Apparently he’s got another porteur stashed that’s a bit earlier, can get details if you’re interested @Lolo?

Yes it’s a coaster at the back. Assuming everything is saveable plan is just to go a part or two at a time and polish every nut and bolt. I’m lucky enough to have a pretty well equipped workshop at my disposal so will hopefully be relatively painless. Not looking to re-chrome anything but I’ll probably get the drum shoes relined at Villers. They’ve done obscure motorbike brakes for my pa in the past.

Anyone care to guess the age? I’m guessing 70s from the parts mix and decals.
Couple more pics.

3 Attachments

.

3 Attachments

Lovely stuff

Apparently he’s got another porteur stashed that’s a bit earlier, can get details if you’re interested @Lolo?

Thanks for offering, but I'll wait until I stumble upon one back home. If it's got a Torpedo hub you should be able to date it from the stamp.

I'd place money on those wheels not being 700c

This one also has a front drum and fork crown cover and has a GP des Nations 1963 decal.

If you’re right and it turns out to be some obsolete nonsense I’ll look at rebuilding on the original hubs. Those mudguards look like they’d fit most wheel/tyre combos ;)

Wow - those mudguards !

Definitely sub'd
Very much looking forward to seeing how this progresses!

Out of interest does anyone know if the obsolete french tyre sizes are available still? My folks live in France and my dad doesn’t mind trawling the forums if anyone has a good lead. I like to think that with their love of cycling someone, somewhere is still churning them out.
I strongly suspect that unless anything major needs addressing the tyres will be the biggest single cost one way or the other :/
I’m thinking a bit far ahead for now and hopefully it turns out to be a common size anyway.

I'm 90% sure it's 650b (I've seen one restored with 650b wheels and original cantis at the right height).
The Michelin World Tour should be available in other obsolete sizes (edit: as well as 650B they have 650A which is 590).