Classic & Vintage - Dating an old Motobecane

I recently inherited a vintage Motobecane Mirage from my girlfriend's mother. It says "Made in France" so I assume it must be pre-1984. Other than that, I can't find any information about how old the bike is -- and my only clue is that it was bought at a LBS which has since changed name. I sent an email to the manager to find out when this happened for further help, but other than that I know very little about the age.

The components:
Weinmann 610 Vainqueur 999 brakes
Suntour "V-GT luxe" rear derailleur

I don't have the tires or wheels so no information from them. I've got the bike int he shop to get a stubbron bottom bracket removed from it's busted cottered crank. If anybody knows what the size and threading of t he bottom bracket is, that would be wonderfully helpful, also, so I could possibly get a replacement. Also, the bike is a dark orange color.

Thanks, very much!

I recently inherited a vintage Motobecane Mirage from my girlfriend's mother. It says "Made in France" so I assume it must be pre-1984. Other than that, I can't find any information about how old the bike is -- and my only clue is that it was bought at a LBS which has since changed name. I sent an email to the manager to find out when this happened for further help, but other than that I know very little about the age.

The components:
Weinmann 610 Vainqueur 999 brakes
Suntour "V-GT luxe" rear derailleur

I don't have the tires or wheels so no information from them. I've got the bike int he shop to get a stubbron bottom bracket removed from it's busted cottered crank. If anybody knows what the size and threading of t he bottom bracket is, that would be wonderfully helpful, also, so I could possibly get a replacement. Also, the bike is a dark orange color.

Thanks, very much!Motobecane was reorganized as MBK in 1984, although I have seen unconfirmed claims of post-1984 Motobecanes.

If you go to a public library with back issues of Bicycling Magazine, you can look for the annual buyers guides in the January edition-- those will give specs on the Mirage. However, the buyers guides only began appearing around 1980 or so, so you may not find information on your bike if it predates the earliest buyers guides. Bicycling also did road tests, however, so you may still luck out on pre-1980 bikes.

One last thought-- can you describe the headbadge? That may help in narrowing down the year of the bike.

Unless there is only a slight variation that I'm not remembering (and I can't look at it as it is in the shop), the headbadge looks just like this:
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/France/Motobecane/moto_headbadge.htm

Thanks!

Mid-seventies-- 1975 or 1976-- to late-seventies/early-eighties-- about 1980 or so-- for that headbadge.

Also, does anyone know the threading of the bottom bracket on this frame? This was the primary reason I wanted to know the model year.

I recently picked-up what I believe is a '74 Le Champion with what appears to be original components. The Campy RD and crankset both have 74 dates on them. The number 74?16 (middle digit is scuffed-up and difficult to read) is stamped on the inside of the right rear dropout. Serial number is stamped on the outside of the left rear dropout. My guess is the number on the right dropout is a date code. Has anyone else observed numbers stamped on the inside of the right dropout?

Dating an old Motobecane? I don't know, french girls are known for not bathing regularly and they don't shave under their arms. Were'd you meet her, online?

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

<rimshot>

Dating an old Motobecane? I don't know, french girls are known for not bathing regularly and they don't shave under their arms. Were'd you meet her, online?

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

I was going to say that but couldn't come-up with anything witty.

"Dating an old Motobecane? I don't know, french girls are known for not bathing regularly and they don't shave under their arms. Where'd you meet her, online?"

Now you've done it. Monique is pouting!

As to your thread question, go to http://sheldonbrown.com/velos.html and scroll down to French bicycles

Hey, as long as everyone's on task, can anyone tell me what year this motobecane would be from?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Motobecane-frame-single-speed-ready-1-NR_W0QQitemZ110005478932QQihZ001QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

My wife has the exact same bike, except a mixte, and this guy is saying that has an english threaded bb, which would be good to know.

Early '70s Mirage

this guy is saying that has an english threaded bb, which would be good to know.I would be extremely suspiscious of any claim that a Motobecane of that vintage has English threads. Far more likely to be French, or maybe Swiss.

Also, does anyone know the threading of the bottom bracket on this frame? This was the primary reason I wanted to know the model year.Probably Swiss.

Dating an old Motobecane? I don't know, french girls are known for not bathing regularly and they don't shave under their arms.

Hey San Rensho,

You are SO RUDE! Mimi ('68 U08) rides sweetly and has no smell but for the fragarance of WD-40.

So just Buzz off.

I would love to date an older Motobecane, but Mimi would be pissed, especially if Ms. Moto was born in '75or later!

Tyson
Cushing, Oklahoma

MILF: Motobecanes I Labor to Fix

:D

Hey San Rensho,

You are SO RUDE! Mimi ('68 U08) rides sweetly and has no smell but for the fragarance of WD-40.

So just Buzz off.

I would love to date an older Motobecane, but Mimi would be pissed, especially if Ms. Moto was born in '75or later!

Tyson
Cushing, Oklahoma

So, I see a trophy french wife in your future, or you could just take her as a mistress, very acceptable in France.

tysonb,
why does Mimi smell like WD40?
I would think eau de mastik or
eau du phil would be more appropriate,
n'est ce pas?

marty

Nice shot. I agree. My first decent bike (though some may argue) was the motobecane mirage. Your frame looks very similar even down to the yellow paint. Cant help you with threading specs on the LB but will say mine had dia-compe c.p.'s like the ones in the pic, rigida rims (with the dimples), Huret Allvit changers and stem mounted shifters....oh and those ugly brake levers:)

Olds