Classic & Vintage - Motobecane Grand Record?

http://i18.ebayimg.com/01/i/06/8b/57/59_12.JPG
http://i5.ebayimg.com/01/i/06/b3/73/08_0.JPG

I'm looking to buy this bike. But the question is... is this actually a Grand Record, or is this a Super Sprint with a new decal stating Grand Record. The reason I ask is that the following is what "Classic Rendezvous" considers a Grand Record to look like:

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/images/French/Motobecane/MotoJM2L.jpg
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/France/Motobecane/Motob_moos.htm

And the first photo above looks a helluva lot like this Super Sprint:
http://x10.putfile.com/3/6310593563.jpg

I don't think its a Grand Record. The lugs, derailer cranks and chainring are not in keeping with the Moto GR. Here is a pic of mine.http://milkwood.org/ray/moto2.jpg

They're different vintages, so that accounts for some of the difference in appearance. However, the Grand Record had nervex lugs, as in the black bike, and the tan bike has plain lugs. Also, the Grand Record should be full 531, and Campy equipped, probably. I'm leaning against this being a Grand Record, unless the details indicate that it's a high-end ride.

I don't think its a Grand Record. The lugs, derailer cranks and chainring are not in keeping with the Moto GR. Here is a pic of mine.http://milkwood.org/ray/moto2.jpg
SWEET looking ride dude. What kinda tires you got on that Moto??

Notice the chrome forks on the confirmed GRs?

You are all comparing apples to oranges. I can't say the one in the pic is a GR for certain as I cannot see the markings clearly. But I have seen GRs from the 80s that looked like this bike. By that time the GR was but a shadow of its former self. IIRC, Moto had gone to Vitus for their tubing by then.

"... I have seen GRs from the 80s that looked like this bike. By that time the GR was but a shadow of its former self. IIRC, Moto had gone to Vitus for their tubing by then."

BRAVO! CV-6 is quite right. Examples:

Late 1978 catalog: Double butted Vitus 172 tubing,
Bocama lugs; Italian style sloping fork crown with Vitus fork blades; Belleri bars & stem; San Marco 'Competition' saddle;... and basically a full Shimano 600-EX component gruppo. Colors: "New Blue" or "Gunmetal Gray"

January 1981 Catalog: Essentially the same description... Color: "Oyster shell"

The real give-away on these later era bikes is the lack of seat post bands and bi-color paint - replaced here with the odd stripes on the lower tubing... [Reminds me of the gaudy, quirky, equally unattractive, stripe treatment Peugeot had sprayed on their frames in the early '80s.]

Guess this was the end of the classy G.R.s which had previously featured Nuovo Record derailleurs and French components... and the more attractive paint combinations and gold stencilling and subtle pin striping.

SWEET looking ride dude. What kinda tires you got on that Moto??
Thanks Tom987987, tis a sweet bike if I say so myself. The tires are Conti gator skins. I was getting way too many flats so I switched and ride with a lot more confidence now, great tires.

Ray

so... would this questionable Grand Record be worth around $150?

//

And would it be worth half a damn to race on?

so... would this questionable Grand Record be worth around $150?

//

And would it be worth half a damn to race on?

Not to me. But the question should be is it worth it to you? As for racing, the GR was never presented as a racer, but more of a tourer. But then the rider makes the bike perform.

Hmm... in deed. Then I may have to go after the Bianchi I've been eyeing as well. Thank you for your help :)

i dont know much about it but,i do like it !

I have a 1981 Motobecane Grand Record in my collection and the 1981 Motobecane Catalog. Oyster with brown decaling. Vitus 182 Tubing. Bocama Lugs with cut outs. Full Shimano 600 EX group. Belleri Stem and bar. Rigida red label rims. Not a bad rider although the Vitus tubing flexes a little. David in Marietta.

1974 Raleigh Professional
1981 Motobecane Team Champion
1979 Motobecane LeChampion
1981 Motobecane Grand Record
1975 Mondia Special
1982 Puch Force X-11
1973 Peugeot PX-10
1977 Trek 612
1973 Gitane Professional Tour de France

Just dug my Oyster/brown Grand Record out of the garage after many years. Bought it new in 81 for about $500. As I recall I couldn't find anything a pound lighter without spending another $1k

You're right about the frame flexing, but I put thousands of miles on it and still have all the original componants. I just sprayed them with WD40 and hit the road. I was going to sell it, couldn't see myself following my 8 yo daughter up curbs and down alleys on it, but it rides great.

The GR my have been a shadow of their former glory by 81, but I shopped it when I bought it and it was by far the best bike for the money. Light, very nimble, the Shimano 600 parts never failed.

Could be an 80s GR but certainly not earlier.

$150 would be at the high end.

I always considered the GRs to be sport-tourers if not a road racer. 70s roadbike geometry especially for bikes modelled after stage racers had considerably more relaxed geometry than the "crit" style bikes that became popular a few years later.


:beer:

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/images/French/Motobecane/MotoJM2L.jpg[/img]


I'm quite certain this is a Grand Record. I had one around '79, bought in high school when I lost my license. It looked exactly like this bike. It was a great ride.

I don't know how frame geomotry changed later, but when I bought my GR it was sold as a racing frame. It was very different than the touring frames of the time, more upright and responsive. Remember it was a little exciting to reach down to the shifter at speed the first couple of days.