Peugeot track build

This might be a bit of a slow-burn, but I'm kicking off a project I bought last year. It's a Peugeot track frame formerly owned by a French track champ called Jacques Suires. Plan is to build it up for track use only.

It's Reynolds 531 and probably a training bike or maybe from a school he ran (still trying to dig for more info). I was told it likely dates from late '70s or early '80s - compared to other Peugeots I have from a similar era it seems to tally. Ignore the wheels in this pic, just chucked them on to see what the geometry was like:

Sadly the chrome on the forks is totally shot, the paint is very poor, and the rear chainstay has been drilled - badly - so it looks like a respray.

Still gathering ideas and parts but will update soon...

Very rare these Peugeot track bikes.

I wonder if they were made alongside the made-to-order models like the PY10.

the rear chainstay has been drilled - badly

The chainstay? Do you mean the brake bridge?

Oops. Meant to say 'chainstay bridge'. But, yes...

Rodabod - not sure, working on finding out. There are some Bernard Carre frames but this one has no chainstay (meant it this time!) stamp. There's one in San Francisco finishing almost as I type on eBay. Will dig out a link.

Here's the eBay link http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?ff3=2&pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&item=290742974809&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]- and here's a link to another SF bike that might even be the same one. Might. Apparently raced in the '72 Olympics, but restored since.

Think I'm going to spray this in the original pearl white of the PY-10:

...using correct repro decals, probably in orange:

But with a little twist. The French-track-champ-original-owner-chap's name was Jacques Suire so I've made up a decal following the style of 'Super Competition' as close as I can but using his name:

Have a bunch of period parts I've collected for this, will take some photos this weekend. Can't decide whether to use Campagnolo or Maillard/Stronglight Spidel bits...

if of good quality, use the Maillard/Stronglight as they are frenchies

The French-track-champ-original-owner-chap's name was Jacques Suires so I've made up a decal following the style of 'Super Competition' as close as I can but using his name:

This should be lovely. You're aware you spelled his name wrong in the decal (or the post) though, right? ;)

Yep, typing fail. Thankfully in the post, not the decal...

Is it french threaded?

Yes, but it came with a usable bb, Stronglight I think.

that's good, will it need a 22.0 track stem?

It may. Haven't yet decided whether to keep the existing bb either. Do you have a few suitable parts then?

no just curious never seen a french track build, i'm dealing with a road Gitane at the moment

i do have a NOS 70s i think, DA Black french headset, but it's road

Jacques Suire you say? Here is more infor about the man (he's still alive, you can contact him).

http://www.memovelo.com/blog/lire-article-515420-8985262-blog.html

I also have a bike bearing his name.
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g361/lasseaux/Useful%20Bike%20Stuff/Bikes%20and%20Parts%20for%20Sale/1983%2050cm%20Peugeot%20PH10S%20Jacques%20Suire/2012-07-30113824.jpg

Really helpful link, thanks. Bike looks great too. Funnily enough I found his email address a few days back via the Merignac Velo Club, which he seems to be the chairman or president of I think. Just working on my French a bit to send him a note (in other words getting someone else to translate).

I can do that for you and ask about my bike at the same time.
PM me!

Vince, you have PM.

A little update too - some NOS Wolber tubulars:

The pics aren't doing the colour many favours, but it looks like the orange might suit the orange decals. Will wait for the frame to come back to be sure before I start looking for rims.

In the meantime, hubs. I have a set of Maillard NOS track:

...which are really nice. And I have a NOS Spidel track chainset to go with (five arm like the Campag Record).

But I also have these:

...which were for another build that never happened. And literally by accident I got a Campag Pista chainset to match (it was on an old Raleigh I bought with two chainrings bolted up). So, not sure which way to go.

Will take some pics of the cranks - another part of the riddle is that the Campag chainset is a long 177.5mm, while the Spidel is 165mm. I'm over 6ft and the frame is 60cm, so would the long cranks be worth a punt? I've ridden 165 cranks on another bike for some time and recently swapped up to a longer size. This build is track only, though, so I wonder if I should stay short?

Anyway, more soon.

Or there are these I suppose... if the rims are not a little pre-period? Hmmm...

Go for those LF Campag's! I think they'll look well classy

Wait someone had Campag pista cranks and converted them to a road set?!
The Malliard hubs are absolutely gorgeous, and I think the Spidels would be pretty cool too, a lot of people go down the Campag route when doing period builds, and it'd be nice to see something a bit more unique.
I wish I had so much bike porn to choose from.

This should be lovely. You're aware you spelled his name wrong in the decal (or the post) though, right? ;)

The name is spelled correctly on the decal, but not in the post ;)

Just for information, I think I have already seen this type of decal on a bike on the French forum, could look up after who owned the bike if this helps ...

Nice bike btw, but I would go for the Maillard hubs to build it "full French"
:)

Yes, I think the French route is winning by a nose - just found some lovely NOS Maillard track pedals, too. Wildstrawberries, yes, they were using a pista set with two chainrings. Couldn't believe my luck when I dismantled the bike.

I have now emailed Mr Suire asking very nicely for some history on the frame. Will be interested to see what comes back...