Classic & Vintage - An interesting Motobecane

I just picked this one up, pretty sure the Campy is not original, but it is in suprisingly good shape other than the non fixed cup having backed out and stuck against the crank. Has forged drops and Nervex lugs, but no tubing stickers.
Crappy before I head to work pics:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/Motobecane/IMGP2737.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/Motobecane/IMGP2738.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/Motobecane/IMGP2740.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/Motobecane/IMGP2741.jpg

Nice Moto. is that the smallest cellphone you could find?

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/Motobecane/IMGP2741.jpg

Nice score Toytech!
It does look just like my 74 Grand Jubile. (Mine came with (original) Jubile DRs.)
Mine had barcons too but I installed DTs instead.

It is a very sweet ride - one you will certainly want to make a keeper!

You know that is almost certainly a Reynolds 531 Frame... (Having no tubing label is almost a sure sign! :rolleyes:) - They went to vitus172 ~ 1977, but I am sure yours is earlier.
I would like to see the Normandy hub dates on yours. Our bikes may be siblings.

Awesome find. I thought maybe Grand Record at first but it might be the Jubilee. I have the workingman's Super Mirage which I threw some japanese upgrades into and I freakin' LOVE it. (rescued/restored for free)

Even their lower-end (2040) frames were pretty awesome. I cannot even comprehend what a real good one would be like.

I think Auchencrow's right that it's a 531 (at least 3 main tubes) Grand Jubile (or Jubilee as the case may be), but those are Prugnat lugs, not Nervex Pros :)
Are the dropouts Huret (despite the NR RD)?

I have not had a chance to really look it over yet. I picked it up right before work yesterday (I work 6pm to 4:30am) and I just got out of bed :D. I will check the dropouts closer and get serial #'s when I get it on the stand a little later.

Great score. Motos from that period have serious panache. Let's see some cleaned up pics, please.

a couple more pictures, the bb is knackered but the threads are fine.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/Motobecane/e7105abd.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/Motobecane/4d5ae6dd.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/Motobecane/7570a942.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/Motobecane/4674bfa0.jpg

Whoever did the DR probably did the Campy headset too. The original stem would have been Pivo (not GB) so your bars are probably different too.
Nothing that looks like a downgrade though - That will clean up nicely and due ruote stated, "have some serious panache". ;)

That Moto red BTW, has to be one of the best colors in bikedom.

I like the color a lot, it is pretty faded, but a small section I hit with rubbing compound polished up nicely. The handle bars and stem are both GB, the bars have the cool logo on them. Rear hub had no date code that I could find, front is Shimano I think and definitely a replacement. The previous owner bought it like it is from the original owner who was a bike mechanic and installed the campy parts. I look forward to building it up. All I really need parts wise is a 118mm iso bb, cables, tires and bar tape to get it back on the road. And to re tension the Brooks Saddle, it is so loose the tension bolt was out of the nose!

The Motos I'm familiar with used a Swiss-threaded bottom bracket. They're French thread but with the fixed cup having a reverse thread (as with current English thread).

It is French thread, both cups are interchangeable from side to side.

This one looks like fun - Repaint? - Most likely...

Appears to be original paint to me, Logo's are painted not decals.

I think I'm going to vote for Grand Record on this one. It's definitely one of the nicer Motos. I never really understood the difference between the Le Champion and the Grand Record though. They both have a Campy drivetrain with Stronglight 93 cranks and Modolo brakes. Maybe the frame is different? My Le Champion has 531 decals all over it and what I believe are Huret dropouts. Not totally sure, though. Hmmmm, either way this is going to be a fun bike!

-Collin-

Okay I'm almost certain it's a 1972 Grand Record. Check out the catalog photo of the head-tube lugs:

http://www.velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=33306&g2_serialNumber=2

-Collin-

^ Except that the catalog indicates "Campagnolo tips [or dropouts], front and rear," and ToyTech's Moto isn't showing Campy dropouts. Huret? I just took possession of a Moto Grand Jubile in that color scheme with Nervex Pro lugs w/ Huret dropouts front and rear.

Neal

Appears to be original paint to me, Logo's are painted not decals.

No offense but, I don't think Motobecanes of this era had hand painted graphics on them. They're decals.

^ Except that the catalog indicates "Campagnolo tips [or dropouts], front and rear," and ToyTech's Moto isn't showing Campy dropouts. Huret? I just took possession of a Moto Grand Jubile in that color scheme with Nervex Pro lugs w/ Huret dropouts front and rear.

Neal


+1
Here is the Huret DO on my '74 GJ and Toytech's DO: They're the same, so I think his is a Jubile that someone added Campy parts to.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh117/auchencrow/Motobecane%20Grand%20Jubile%20-%201972%20Red/MotobecaneGrJubile-1972Red035a.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/Motobecane/e7105abd.jpg

the 1975 catalog specs say it's "531" and that implies that it's ALL 531, but maybe not the stays and forkblades (I will guess). Also says that it weighs a pound more than the Grand Record (which IS all 531 thru-out, same lugs but with Campy DOs) and the GJ has 27" wheels versus the GR's 700C tubulars.

What is the date code on the Campy RD? What is the seatpost diameter?

Looks to be either a pre '74 GR or an upgraded mid '70's GJ.

It's a 74 or 75 Grand Jubile. Only the GJ and Grand Record's had those lugs, and the GR didn't have those colors. The GJ had Huret rear dropouts and stamped front. Reynolds 531 db frame, can't remember if main tubes or all 531. The derailleurs, stem, and some other parts are replacements. The Stronglight 49 cranks are original. I'm pretty sure those are Nervex lugs, a type made especially for Motobecane. I've never seen them on another bike.

Wow, I really appreciate all the info from everyone! I should have this on the road in not too much time, aside from the bb everything seems to be in fair mechanical shape. The Derailleurs, bars and stem and maybe the shifters I am aware are not original. The derailleurs are pat. 84 and the frame is 120 spaced so definitely earlier. I will start polishing parts and paint shortly.

Updated pictures as promised. Rides nice, to bad it is too big.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/Motobecane/IMGP2815.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/Motobecane/IMGP2816.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/Motobecane/IMGP2818.jpg

motobecane catalogue specs of different models ...

c.1974: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stronglight/1385682188/sizes/l/in/photostream/
c.1975: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stronglight/1384258657/sizes/l/in/photostream/
c.1976: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stronglight/1386192018/sizes/l/in/photostream/

from these, it appears the GJ model frame came in both red (w/blk) or silver. the GR frame came in both black (w/red) or silver. but i still don't know the exact date of my own GR. oh well...

I think the frame looks exactly like my '75 Grand Jubile. Mine also did not have a tubing label. Not a bad bike, but I gotta say my Mirage Sport seems better than it in every way though, lighter, shifts better, and rides more comfortably. I'm guessing the cheap wheels and tires might be to blame for that, mine weighs in at 27 Lbs rather than the advertised 24.

I.. . my Mirage Sport seems better than it in every way though, lighter, shifts better, and rides more comfortably. I'm guessing the cheap wheels and tires might be to blame for that, mine weighs in at 27 Lbs rather than the advertised 24.

Wheels and tires can turn a POC into a gem - and vice versa.
Three extra pounds makes me wonder if you have steel wheels!

Nope, they are aluminum, but being light sure doesn't look like it was factored into the design of them. I don't have a rear wheel that would drop right in either to see what it would be like. I don't suppose dropping in a 126mm wheel into a frame that is respaced to 135mm would hurt anything?