SIFEM

[woodbutcher]

I know l'm at it again but at least this one is French not Italian. Apart from the stickers what makes this a Louis Ocana bike ? http://www.ebay.fr/itm/132151380702?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[S-Express]

Nothing, apart from the decals. Think 'cheap Raleigh/Falcon banana replica' from the 80s/90s and you won't be far off.

 

[woodbutcher]

Nothing, apart from the decals. Think 'cheap Raleigh/Falcon banana replica' from the 80s/90s and you won't be far off.

Taking a great if very unfortunate riders name in vain should be a slapped wrist crime

 

[S-Express]

Taking a great if very unfortunate riders name in vain should be a slapped wrist crime

You can probably date the bike to the early mid 70s, when Ocana won TdF. He was probably paid for the rights to put his name on the downtube, so I don't think there would be anything underhand in this.

 

[Sharky]

Remember him from his exploits in the 70's, but hadn't realised how tragic his life/career was (just looked him up) and how he ended his life. Don't think I would be able to ride a bike with his name on it.

 

[BalkanExpress]

http://forum.tontonvelo.com/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=30772

Is seems that SIFEM turned out a lot of Ocala bikes. I am intreged that yours has Vitus tubing as this generally rather nice, http://www.classicrendezvous.com/France/Vitus_history.htm but does not chime too well with the rear drop outs.

At this point, you give a big Gallic shrug and say, "bof, French bikes"

 

[woodbutcher]

You can probably date the bike to the early mid 70s, when Ocana won TdF. He was probably paid for the rights to put his name on the downtube, so I don't think there would be anything underhand in this.

Fair comment, but it would be great to find a bike with a genuine link to Ocana

Remember him from his exploits in the 70's, but hadn't realised how tragic his life/career was (just looked him up) and how he ended his life. Don't think I would be able to ride a bike with his name on it.

I totally agree, it wouldn't feel right somehow ! Come to think of it the bike l am working on at the moment bears the Coppi name and he had an unfortunate early death.

 

[Alex H]

Is seems that SIFEM turned out a lot of Ocala bikes.

Indeed

http://www.vieuxbicloo.com/ads/velo-luis-ocana/

 

[S-Express]

Fair comment, but it would be great to find a bike with a genuine link to Ocana

In which case, buy a period Motobecane, as that's what he won the Tour on...

 

[woodbutcher]

In which case, buy a period Motobecane, as that's what he won the Tour on...

True and l haven't got a Motobecane yet

 

[woodbutcher]

Indeed

http://www.vieuxbicloo.com/ads/velo-luis-ocana/

Not what would normally spring to mind as a bike for a mucho macho Spaniard !