FS: 1954 René Herse 650B Randonneur Unrestored Show Bike: 61cm - 99% Original - RH Stem/FC/BB/BR/FD - Maxi CAR - Ideale Alloy - Mafac Open Back

[justyn...@gmail.com]

**Click Here for more details and pics!** (I had to shorten this description a LOT to fit in google groups, be sure to read the rest of it and see 100+ pics at this link!)

This gorgeous rarity is a 1950's top of the line randonneuse bicycle in a large size for riders roughly 5ft 9 to 6ft 2 tall. It was imported by Alex March for a US collector (confirmed by Alex) in recent years.  It retains its original finish and hand painted logos on the downtube and head tube, tubing decal, and even some of the pinstriping (although the fork was repainted)!  It shows well at trade show—it graced the floors of the 2016 NAHBS, among others.  Also, it is fully rideable and catches quite the amount of attention from bike lovers in the know.  Riding it down the streets of Portland, a surprised double take and a "damn, nice bike!" was a common occurrence.  It's been in my custodianship nearly two years in which time I've changed out the few incorrect components its previous owner had installed for proper 1950's pieces.  It has been surreal having this museum piece living among me in my loft, and it's time to pass it on to another soul to love.  Take it on a L'Eroica ride, ride it around your town, take it to bike shows, or display it at your shop or living room! 

This one has all the top end features René offered in the early 50's, such as the René Herse crankset and bottom bracket, cantilever brakes, stem with bell mount, suicide front derailleur, carbon brush in headtube for dynamo lighting (not connected), chainstay mounted Cyclo derailleur hanger, hand-cut lugs, and an integrated rear canti cable hanger.  It is VERY close to "all original", and has period correct 1950's parts with the exception of the headlamp mounting bolt/nut, racks, tires, brake blocks, and possibly the cable/housing.  Tubing is Vitus, which is slightly heavier than Reynolds but has a 28mm downtube instead of the O.S. 30mm Herse's tall bikes usually had to even it out.  Its components are the top level parts Herse put on his nicest machines, including Maxi-CAR high flange on Mavic Criterium rims & Bell Wingnuts, AD-HOC pump, Ideale 57 alloy rail saddle, Radios/Jos lights, correct early Mafac levers w/ fully open backs, Lefol fenders, and what appears to be a Sonn-Net bell sans logos.  The racks were custom made by Mark Guglielmana in the RH style.  Even the chain is correct; a Brampton.  Phillippe Randonneur handlebars are wrapped in cotton tape and coated with amber shellac with rare and proper G.B. plugs.  Note that the generator’s mounting braze on is present, though there is no generator attached.

Its frame number appears to be 56-54, indicating it was (most likely) the 56th frame built in 1954 .  Herse numbered his bikes with four-digit frame numbers on both underside of crown and non-driveside dropout, with two pairs of numbers separated by a large space.  The dropout reads "54" only, on the far right side, the crown reads "56" on the far left side.  The corresponding pairs on each one must have been worn away with time.  Mike Kone of Boulder Bicycle says "it's most likely the 56th bike of 1954 but if not, it's the 54th bike of 1956."

Frame details

• Frame number: 54
• Vitus tubing
• Seat tube: 61cm (center to top of seat tube), 59.5cm (c-c)
• Top tube: 56cm
• Head tube: 206mm
• Chainstays: 449mm
• Head angle: 73 degree
• Seat angle: 73.6 degree

Components

• Crankset: Réne Herse 2nd type, double - 170mm x 46/26t
• Stem: Réne Herse 85mm
• Brakes: Réne Herse 2nd type cantilever
• Front derailleur: Réne Herse 
• Rear derailleur & shifter: Cyclo
• Wheelset: 36H Mavic Criterium rims laced to Maxi-CAR high flange hubs, Bell wing nuts
• Freewheel: Atom 4 speed, 15-20t
• Fenders: Lefol Le Paon mod dep
• Saddle: Ideale Mod. 57, alloy rails & Ideale seat clamp (binder bolt not original)
• Handlebars: Phillipe Randonneur drops, 40cm 
• Pedals: Lyotard 460 Course extralight
• Lighting: Radios No. 18 & JOS F.R.C.
• Bell: Appears to be a Sonn-Net without logos. Alloy striker

$12,000

Justyne Zella Rayne
Bike Recyclery, vintage shop and museum
I buy bikes, parts, and collections!
www.BikeRecyclery.com
Portland, OR USA