Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Motobecane high low or mid....?

Hi there, I need some help on this one. Does this look like a low end Motobecane?
$185 is the asking price. Dont know the specifics, except that the guy put a shimano600 freewheel on it.


http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/sgtdouglas/Motob.jpg

This does not look like a low end (Mirage). No turkey wings and has downtube shifting. What it might be is a mystery based on the photo, but the color schema and the partially chromed fork might provide some clues... towards it being a grand record (as pictured below)

http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc/images08/cc554-175%20Grand%20Record.jpg

that would make it mid

That looks like a Super Mirage. It was two or three models up from the bottom end. Plain guage carbon steel frame tubes (i.e. not great). Aluminum crank and rims, i.e. good. If this bike is in very good running order and the frame and fork are straight, the price is fair.

EjustE - what year is that Grand Record?

ejuste - what year is that grand record?

75

That looks like a Super Mirage. It was two or three models up from the bottom end. Plain guage carbon steel frame tubes (i.e. not great). Aluminum crank and rims, i.e. good. If this bike is in very good running order and the frame and fork are straight, the price is fair.

My Super Mirage had Turkey wings and stem shifters. Not saying that rules this one out as being one as I'm sure they varied greatly from year to year.
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/telepciaka/Moto%20Super%20Mirage/PIC-0166.jpg

More picture of the bike in question:


http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/sgtdouglas/moto2.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/sgtdouglas/moto4.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/sgtdouglas/moto3.jpg

Thats all I got.

Does that look like it says Mirage on the bottom of the name plate?

I think it's a 1979 Super Mirage. It had the fake leather handlebar cover which was plastic. Also, note the chainguard bolted to the chainring. High end bikes didn't have that.

Do you happen to know what kind of tubing the '79 super mirage had??

I think it's a 1979 Super Mirage. It had the fake leather handlebar cover which was plastic. Also, note the chainguard bolted to the chainring. High end bikes didn't have that.

Sorry not to keep disputing you on this...but I don't think it's a Super Mirage.

1979 Super Mirage (http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/motobecane/1979/moto197905.pdf). Right color combo but note the stem shifters and turkey wings.

1979 Grand Jubile (http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/motobecane/1979/moto197907.pdf). Same color combo but with DT shifters and no turkey wings. This is my guess as to what this bike is. Either that or somebody put DT shifters and changed the brakes on the Super Mirage.

Specifications (http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/motobecane/1979/moto197915.pdf)

Sorry not to keep disputing you on this...but I don't think it's a Super Mirage.

1979 Super Mirage (http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/motobecane/1979/moto197905.pdf). Right color combo but note the stem shifters and turkey wings.

1979 Grand Jubile (http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/motobecane/1979/moto197907.pdf). Same color combo but with DT shifters and no turkey wings. This is my guess as to what this bike is. Either that or somebody put DT shifters and changed the brakes on the Super Mirage.

Specifications (http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/motobecane/1979/moto197915.pdf)



Wow that looks like it. Says "top touring bike", wonder what kind of tubing...

Oh just saw the specs link..

I stand corrected. Thank you, 4Rings6Stars.

Finally got through to the seller!!!! Jeez.
Confirmed Grand Jubile.

That specs list has it listed as bottom of the bikechain there...
Are we looking at a heavy s.o.b.?

It shouldn't be overly heavy.

It is actually in the middle of the lineup not the bottom, that link was just for the top half of their 1979 lineup. Check out this site (http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/motobecane/1979/), this is where I was linking you to.

Are we looking at a heavy s.o.b.?

Specs list it at 24 lbs and about 2 of them being the 27x1.25 tires. If they are replaced by 27X1, that's about a pound less...

Very light for a touring bike, lighter than top of the line TREK touring bikes of the same era.

If it's in good shape, $185 is now a very good price.

Someone help out Ironfan out and cite an article on evaluating a used bike. Let's not reinvent that wheel, pun intended.

Thanks all for the help. Im going to see if its available for a test ride tonight.

"Someone help out Ironfan out and cite an article on evaluating a used bike."-noglider
That sounds interesting....

Thanks all for the help. Im going to see if its available for a test ride tonight.

"Someone help out Ironfan out and cite an article on evaluating a used bike."-noglider
That sounds interesting....

there you go:
http://lighterfootstep.com/2008/05/how-to-buy-a-great-used-bicycle/