Classic & Vintage - 70's motobecane...

Here's a picture of my girlfriend's 70's motobecane.

http://www.sparklebot.net/pictures2003/bike/

She found it at the goodwill for $20, stripped it and had it built up by a local bike shop in Minneapolis called Kennwood Cycles. They are known for their good work. I think she got the "cute girl" discount because the total cost was under $200.

Sure looks like a $20 Moto frame to me. I'm not sure which model it was, but none of the better ones had "Made in France" stickers.

Just out of curiosity, what does the tubing sticker (if it has one, that is...) say?

Looks like it was a Mirage when it began life. If the shop did a total build up for you, including wheels you did OK. What parts did they includ in the build? There's a guy who sells fixed gear conversions on eBay pretty regularly and he often gets $200 for them. In this case you know who did the wrenching at least.

If your girlfriend rides it and enjoys it it's money well spent.

i have a slightly newer motobecane super mirage that i just fixed up very similar to yours. i bought it for $5 from this corner house that sells random used stuff. i converted it to a single speed as well. ill post pictures soon!

"If your girlfriend rides it and enjoys it it's money well spent."

Exactly. The best bike is one that's ridden.

Although she gets bonus points for a cool old frame.

Please post a pic of your girlfriend and we will let you knoew if she got a dicount...just kiddin' As a former Twin Citian I miss driving around on weekends, looking at junk at garage sales. Here in Sweden they don't do that! Still there's ebay.... what did we do before ebay? I had Moto Gran Tour in 75 with gun metal grey and black, 2040 tubing. I loved that bike... ended up selling it ata garage sale before moving to europe... the price? $25!

The frame looks very similar to a dark colored Motobecane I found in the alley not too long ago. I decided to change it to a fixed gear woody. Currently, it looks a little different from the pix. I put some cheap mtb riser bars (also from the alley), replacing the cheap flat/barends. And I replaced the Indonesian tires that were on it with some 27x1-3/8" tires. And I put a sprung seat to compensate for the more upright riding position. I left the Motobecane branded cranks because they have a nifty chainguard. :)

The original wheels seem to have been steel. However the front had been replaced with a Al Araya. The front brake was also a Dia Compe sidepull, different from the Weinmann centerpull on the rear. The stem is a kinda oddball French 22mm quill.

The rear fixed wheel was a cheapo Weinmann/Suzue flipflop I found. Fixed is fun, bit I'm getting a little sick of it. It's kinda like driving a sporty car with a really finicky transmission. I think I'm gonna flip it around to the freewheel.

I really enjoy riding it around. Despite the low end appointments it came with (and the low end appointments it's since been retrofitted with), it's a very good ride.