Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Age & Value of Late 70s/Early 80s Motobecane Nomade

Hello all,

I am new and trying to determine the age and approximate value of my dad's 23" Motobecane Nomade.

It has only 45.1 miles and all original parts, no modifications.

Dad rode it once or twice and it has been in storage ever since. Has a few minor surface blemishes, and the paint appears slightly discolored in some places, and also feels rough in a few places.

I recently saw a post regarding a paint issue with another older Motobecane. Maybe that is the case here.

We think he bought it some time between 1978 and 1983.

The details:

Serial number 3855258

Frame has decal stating "Built with 1020 tubes, forks & stays"

Suntour shifters

Suntour 7 front derailleur

Suntour 7-GT rear derailleur

Weinmann 610 Vainqueur 999 front and rear calipers

Rigida chromage Superchromix 27" rims

Dark blue decals

I spent all day washing and waxing it. Also polished the rims. Except for the paint discoloration, it looks very nice!

I am wondering if I should use something like rubbing compound on it. Any thoughts on this?

What might we be able to sell this for?

I realize this was a low-end Motobecane, but it is in excellent condition.

Thanks so much for any help you can offer!

Depends where you live. Steel rim bikes around here top out at $100 to $125. I have never gotten over $110.

Use polishing compound on the paint. You can find it at Walmart.

Easy to date by looking up the component codes on the Suntour parts, at the vintage Trek site.

Does it have a cottered steel crank?

Thanks so much for your quick and helpful reply!

I have no idea what a steel cottered crank is...or how to tell if I have it.

Hello,

After googling "cottered crank" a few times, I finally determined that my bike does NOT have a cottered crank.

I think that may be a good thing!

The date codes I found on the Suntour derailleurs were SF and SL.

So, according to the vintage Trek site, this bike must have been made in 1976.

Does that sound correct?

Not cottered crank is a good sign. I would put value around $125, depending on condition (post pictures). Hard to get over that market around here without alloy rims.

Thanks again for your input. We are not trying to make a killing on this bike, but since it's in such good shape, we don't want to just give it away!

I haven't checked the seat post for a date, and I was unable to find the markings on the brakes. But since the date on one of the derailleurs was December 1976, I bet it is a 1977.

Again, thanks for your help!

$125-150 depending on your location.

If you want to confirm the date, check the wheel hubs - most of them have a two-digit date, followed by a two-digit week code, e.g., 76 04 would be week 4 of 1976. The numbers will be in the center of the hub (between the flanges).

Good luck with the bike.