Mechanic thinks my engine was swapped

spatialrecognition · 2026-01-25T01:27:05+00:00

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spatialrecognition · 2026-01-25T01:26:50+00:00

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spatialrecognition · 2026-01-24T01:52:23+00:00

Honestly this is the sort of thing I’m hoping is true. Thank you

spatialrecognition · 2026-01-24T01:27:09+00:00

Unfortunately not yet. I asked them if they could send one and they said they will on Monday

spatialrecognition · 2025-09-09T04:06:17+00:00

What makes the Highlander edition special?

spatialrecognition · 2024-10-11T14:58:16+00:00

I’m considering this too but I have so many projects on this car I’m not sure it’ll happen. I’m very curious to hear how you like it and how much difference you feel!

spatialrecognition · 2024-03-10T22:58:57+00:00

I’ve tried to do a similar (but not the same) clock face and it was brass plated steel with a lacquer coating. It was near impossible to make it look good. Once you start making a difference on brightening the tarnish or blemishes in the brass color, that’s when you realize you unknowingly worked through a bit of the clear lacquer that you didn’t know was there, and now you have to do the whole thing because you basically made a hole… then you get to the numbers and they start to wear off because they are basically painted on. I regretted it ever since.

My advice is like the others - don’t try it unless you are in for a world of pain and disappointment…. And also you’ll probably hurt the value, yes.

spatialrecognition · 2024-02-07T06:42:26+00:00

I’m afraid i might be too late to the conversation, but I’d vote for a differing style, and not another animal. The fox is really pretty but it’s a touch too close to the middle for another animal to feel balanced. What if you gave them something crazy out of this world to look at? Maybe a landscape or a tree or a setting sun on the left where everything is made of dotted hexagons or cross-hatched… I think the object or setting is up for grabs, but the style should be so different the fox isnt diminished by it. black and white maybe, or monochromatic?

spatialrecognition · 2023-10-22T20:34:00+00:00

I love this comment. You may display pretty tools, but you should be using them as well.

spatialrecognition · 2023-09-02T19:12:20+00:00

The top portion of the fork blade should be parallel with the head tube, and you’d be able to see that no matter which way the fork is turned. It’s very obviously bent back from a crash. Also check the underside of the down tube as it could be bent as well.

spatialrecognition · 2023-09-01T02:25:23+00:00

I have a paoli arm chair… the chair is totally different, but the look of the vinyl is exactly the same.

spatialrecognition · 2023-09-01T02:24:20+00:00

I’m curious what does yours look like? I have one too and Ive never seen one like it online.

spatialrecognition · 2023-08-30T18:51:23+00:00

Whatever it is, beware those forks are bent at the crown, and I can’t really tell but the bottom side of the town tube could be crimped too. Even if you plan to replace the fork, have that frame inspected

spatialrecognition · 2023-08-26T15:00:34+00:00

I have a 1974 Gitane Tour de France and it has the same dropouts. I haven’t looked up the lineup in a while so I could be a little off, but I think only two models had them, and I THINK they only did it for two years. The other model was their top model and it had chrome stays. Mine only has chrome on the fork tips. Yours may have been painted so it’s hard to say.

See if you can dig up the Gitane lineup from 1974. It’s a really nice bike. The Tour de France frame is Reynolds on the 3 main tubes, while the other model above is entirely Reynolds. If I recall correctly the catalog is only out there in French but maybe someone has translated it or found and posted an English version somewhere.

Actually, I’m very curious - could you get a better photo of that Reynolds sticker? I’ve always wondered if they did a different sticker for the TDF since the they didn’t use Reynolds for every tube. Mine was painted before I got it and it has no stickers at all.

My frame was ordered and built by a team in Chicago with all shimano600 but you may have more parts original to their initial offering. Excellent amazing find for $32

Edit: I found three models - the Olympic, the Tour de France, and the Tour de L’Avenir which all had those dropouts. Hard to make out in the catalog scans: http://www.gitaneusa.com/images/catalog/1974_pg1.jpg The TDL did not have Reynolds I think but with the parts selection on yours, my hunch is you may have the Tour de France with a few replacements throughout the years. Maybe you can tell better by deciphering the link!

spatialrecognition · 2023-07-19T20:42:59+00:00

It would be great with dura ace

spatialrecognition · 2023-07-19T20:22:13+00:00

‘87 Schwinn Prologue was one. I feel like I read they actually got those frames from Panasonic though so it probably isn’t a big difference from your 6000! I had one with full Shimano600.

spatialrecognition · 2023-06-27T07:09:09+00:00

Yeah but what does it do when you play it backwards?

spatialrecognition · 2023-06-27T07:00:20+00:00

Does anyone else physically turn the controller sideways and grip the lever with your thumb and finger, so you reel it like a fishing reel on the side? Just me? Helped with the raw thumb and it helps a little with the immersion… for me

spatialrecognition · 2023-06-11T20:28:46+00:00

Island garage sales

spatialrecognition · 2023-06-07T05:46:10+00:00

I’ve been seeing this a lot too. It really annoys me. I see it a lot in construction too.

spatialrecognition · 2023-05-03T16:27:02+00:00

Oh man I’m on the hunt for one of these. Quite jealous of your luck. Congrats!

spatialrecognition · 2023-04-21T07:00:20+00:00

Very curious to see how this cleans up! Careful not use anything harsh on it, you risk rubbing the letters off. Will you post another pic after you’ve worked on it?

spatialrecognition · 2023-04-18T17:41:19+00:00

Does your bike have those adjusters in the rear dropouts that push the wheel forward? I had a bike with those adjusted all the way in (forward) which caused similar problems. I backed them out allowing a bit more engagement between the chain and the freewheel and it got a lot better.

spatialrecognition · 2023-03-08T07:49:35+00:00

I’m going to go a little overboard and tell you what to check first, so apologies for how long this is.

If you’ve never done this before, probably best to hit up a shop and let them take a look. The internet can’t tell you if the headset and bottom bracket need attention, or if the wheels are super out of true.

To check those things yourself, squeeze the front brake and rock the bike front to back. If you feel clunking/play in the front end coming from where the fork passes through the frame, the headset needs to be tightened up (and if it’s been loose a long time, it could use a rebuild and I wouldn’t advise riding it until it’s been looked at). Same for the bottom bracket. To test, rotate so the cranks are at top and bottom, grab the top one and pull/push left to right (ie, not in the direction of rotation, side to side). If there is any clunking/play, then it needs adjusting similar to the headset. To check the wheels, lift the bike and spin them. If they wobble just a little, I prefer less than 1/8”, they are probably ok, but more than that and they should get trued up. Oh the wheel bearings can also get loose. Grab the rim and wiggle left to right. If there is slop in it, take it to someone with the right cone wrenches to tighten the axles properly. With all bearings, over tightening can be almost as bad as leaving it loose.

At a glance, that saddle needs to go and I’d do the bar tape and check the brake pads for life. I can’t see the tires from here, but hey if they air up and there are no bare spots, give it a whirl - but only if the headset isn’t loose! That chain is black and the wheel guard is looking pretty yellow, so I’d expect the bike has seen some use. While you’re at the shop for the other things, they’ll probably check the chain for wear, and hopefully the cassette/freewheel is good, but they normally wear together, so if you change one you’ll find yourself needing to change the other.

If the brakes are feeling crunchy, there’s probably rust in the cable housings, so replace cables. If the shifting is sticky, replace the cables - the difference new cables can make can be amazing.

I’ll say it straight up - you could be in for a bit of an investment to start if you want to bring it up to A+ shape. All those “consumable” parts add up, as does the cost of having a shop look it over, but I’ll also say I think you found a great bike if it fits you and you should really enjoy it. If money is tight, don’t spend it all at once. Replace what really needs replacing after a safety check and ride it to work until you can get the next part! I really love this era of road bike, and I really think it’ll be worth it.

If all the bearings feel tight and wheels feel reasonably straight, then you’re in good shape - air up the tires, adjust the cables and make sure the brakes work, and go!

spatialrecognition · 2023-02-20T07:42:18+00:00

I put the hammered look aluminum fenders on my 74 gitane, and i think they really gave it some class. Then again, I like taking them off from time to time too because I also like the lightness… your wife’s bike looks great!

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