Classic & Vintage - Old Crotchity Motobecane!

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View Full Version : Old Crotchity Motobecane!

dbarnblatt@usa.
10-31-06, 07:19 PM
I fond this bike over the weekend for $40.00. I took the whole deal apart... polished everything up as best I could, added new cables and housings (first time I have ever done it!) tires, tubes, adjusted everything, and thats it. I think, all in, I spent $80.00 It is called a "Nobly" and it is the oldest Motobecane I have come accross. I know there are older ones out there!! It is a bit unusual for a Motobecane, I have never really come accross one with factory fenders and a rack... the frame has braze-ons for the rack. It is interesting to see the polished up parts against the dull oxidized metalic bronze paint. The paint must have been pretty good looking back in the day. It rides OK... a bit noisy, but its a good get around beater while I work on my Moto Grand Record!

http://piledrivermedia.com/files/wrxwebpage/vw/IMG_3321.jpg

http://piledrivermedia.com/files/wrxwebpage/vw/IMG_3325.jpg

http://piledrivermedia.com/files/wrxwebpage/vw/IMG_3326.jpg

king koeller
10-31-06, 07:52 PM
It's got the wrong seat. That is an American Beach cruiser type.
It needs a Brooks B-72 leather model.
Also the seat is down all the way , which indicates that the frame is way too big, or your seat needs to be raised for full leg extension.
If it was my bike, I'd remove the chain guard, but all in all
It's a perfect city or commuter bike!!
Rock on!!
Bikedued
10-31-06, 07:52 PM
That's a sweet old bike!! Reminds me of a Schwinn Collegiate/Conti/Varsity somewhat. Cool pattern on the rim sides too. Interesting,,,,,BD

Bill Abbey
10-31-06, 08:30 PM
I love the generater + light. Very nice.
dbarnblatt@usa.
10-31-06, 08:37 PM
It's got the wrong seat. That is an American Beach cruiser type.
It needs a Brooks B-72 leather model.
Also the seat is down all the way , which indicates that the frame is way too big, or your seat needs to be raised for full leg extension.
If it was my bike, I'd remove the chain guard, but all in all
It's a perfect city or commuter bike!!
Rock on!!

The seat will be going, but it is all I have for now. I'm in search of a vintage Brooks at the moment for it, funny you should bring it up! The seat is all the way down beacause it is a huge seat. Thought about taking the chain guard off, but it seems appropriate to have it on this type of bike. I am going to try to attach a TA front rack in the next day or two... we'll see if it works. Thanks for the comments!
mswantak
10-31-06, 08:38 PM
I had a '71 Mirage with the same headtube and downtube decals; this one must be around the same age. The pattern on the rims identifies them as Rigida Super Chromix, also from that time period. I agree that's not the proper saddle, but the original would've been a leather Ideale, not a Brooks. Let me know if you decide to part with it.