Flandria Dura Ace - early seventies

[bduc61]

I have found a flandria frame which looks extremely similar to this bike's one apart for the non chromed rear wheelbase

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=236418

pic of the mint restored one



Mine is also in Ishiwata 022 - campagnolo dropouts
seems to have been equipped with Black Dura Ace according to the seller - was found in north of France - so probably earlier than 78 - between 73 and 75 ?

I have both black and silver group so hesitate on the choice :idea:

One question in my mind
Some Flandria's are most probably Gios - Maertens is said to have ridden some Gios being repainted
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=187296

so how to make the difference between a true belgian Flandria and a Italo-belgian one ?

pics of mine

 

[Jonny69]

I think it has to be a silver groupset, always looks great with a red frame. It's difficult to get black components to work, in my opinion, unless the frame itself is black or if you commit to everything else being black too.

 

[Midlife]

..............I don't think it matters as long as it's First Gen Dura Ace, my all time favourite kit BITD we mixed and matched in any case.

The System component dura ace decal would look better on the seat tube

Shaun

 

[Johnsqual]

Re:

If it was a Gios repainted as a Flandria, I'd guess it would have some of the typical Gios characrteristics, like the distinctive seat stay ends and drilled rear drop outs (unless he asked them to build it to look like a Flandria).

They have one of Maertens' bikes at the Centrum Ronde Van Vlaanderen, so maybe you could go and have a look, or ask them to send some pictures. I think Freddy Maertens still works there shwoing people round, so maybe you could even ask him directly...

Johnny

 

[Flandria]

Cool!

Definitely not a Gios-Flandria frame. This frame is one of the last iterations of the Flandria production frames, before Flandria shut down. They were sold in the famous Flandria colours but also rebranded by some Belgian bike shops. Quality frames though! I've always dated them back to late 70's (cables over BB, long campagnolo dropout, fork crowns, lugs, decals,...). This website shows the same frame, (probably) ridden by Marc Demeyer in the late 70's : http://www.didierdeflandrien.be/index.p ... d-jaren-70

Also on the picture below, you can see Jos Deschoenmaecker and Joaquim Agostinho ride very similar frames in the Tour of '79:

By the way, have you read my mind the last couple of days? I have restored a similar frame some time ago, and stumbled upon a more or less complete dura ace group a week ago. Although a bit more recent (81-82) I'm planning to build my frame up with that group, considering the strong ties between Flandria and Shimano.

Here's the frame I'm working on:

Oh and by the way, I still have a NOS headtube decal (same as on the pic above). I would be happy to send it to you, if you promise to keep this topic up to date with plenty of pics

 

[bduc61]

Re:

ouch
mint job

about the same timing , I can only say "great minds think alike" :mrgreen:

the only issue being that I have got a few projects underway :
a full french light from the seventies (jubile - Tevano - CLB professional - pelissier 2000 hubbed wheels )
a full chrome french randonneuse again from the 70's but with Dura Ace early equipment with center pulls and double levers - its going to make a change compared to TA or stronglight, Simplex and Mafac usual stuff
A gazelle champion mondial with full black Dura Ace

you will notice a strong liking of Dura Ace though

so this belgian build is at the bottom of the pile :roll: but will let you know when it progresses :idea:

 

[Flandria]

Ok! So if we have to wait for the Flandria, make us some topics on the other bikes

If you want the headtube decal, send me a pm with your adress!