aaronmichael

Hello All,

I work at an LBS in Southern California and have my beloved 1974 Motobecane Le Champion hanging up in the shop underneath the skylight. I bought it a couple years ago from a customer who wanted us to sell it for him. I fell in love and had to purchase it. However, it's the wrong size for me and I didn't want to put any scratches on it, so it's been hanging in the shop for display ever since. I had another customer who recently came in and showed some interest in purchasing the bike. Due to some financial troubles, I think I'm going to have to part with it. Came here to see what everyone thought the bike would be worth. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Here are the details:

1974 Motobecane Le Champion:

Condition: 9/10

All original components including cables and housing. Only part that was replaced was the seatpost binder bolt (by me). No major dents, no rust. The bike does have a few scratches here and there, not bad for its 40 years of age. Wheels still have a brilliant shine to them. The sew up tires do need to be replaced. They'll hold air for a while but go flat in a matter of a week. The bike and components aren't dirty, but do need to be cleaned if it was to be in as close to perfect shape as possible.

Components:

Frame made of Reynolds Five Three One. Campagnolo (Nuovo Record) components all around, even the clips that hold the cable housing to the frame! It's my understanding that this bike did not come stock with Campagnolo brakes but the levers and calipers are Campagnolo so they must have been replaced at some point. High flange Campagnolo hubs laced to Super Competition Champion rims. 3T Stem. Original Brooks saddle, original frame pump going from bottom bracket to top tube.

I'm sure I'm forgetting some details about the bike. I'll attempt to post photographs soon! Any information about price would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

oddjob2

I thought Le Tour was a Schwinn? Maybe a Le Champion? Easier to use a photo hosting site and provide a link.

Bandera

A selection of detailed pics will be required. Removing it from the ceiling would be best.
Purchasing a bike that does not fit for extended static display until it becomes "beloved" is an interesting way to tie up cash for non-cycling.

-Bandera

big chainring 

Put some new tires on it. .....$700.
Mit out tires...............$600.

My first Campy equipped road bike was a 1974 Motobecane Le Champion. 59cm frame with 49/52 - 15-24 gearing. Purchased a Lutz track suit at the same time. Bike was $425, track suit was $30. The bike came with Clement Paris Roubaix cotton tires. Raced it in the inaugural Boul Mich bike rally in downtown Chicago. A young Junior rider named Dale Stetina won the race. I think he won a Rolex watch. A pair of Campy brakes was a prime in the intermediates race. The Golden years of cycling!

eschlwc

i'd think a 9/10 overall condition would get $7-800 in your market.

is everything polished?

clinchers or tubulars?

maybe more on ebay.

i'd think the blue/white ones would be at the top of the range. i wouldn't pay top dollar for any other paint combo, like yellow or black.

rootboy 

Is is silver? Or Silver lilac? Probably silver I'm guessing, if you've dated it correctly. As only the 75 model came in silver lilac I think. But they did use that color again in the 80's.
My 75 silver lilac Le Champion came with a Pat. 74 rear derailleur on it. Not unusual.
Price also depends on size, which you didn't mention. Mid sizes, 55 to 58 cm may command a bit more. With very small and larger frames there are fewer likely buyers, so a bit less.

Brakes were probably Universal 68's originally so the Campy brakes are a definite bonus.

rootboy 

The 74 thru 76 Le Champions only came in silver and silver lilac.
For me, the silver lilac was the best color. Real pretty.
But the earlier blue and white ones were very cool too.

eschlwc

^ yes, root, yous is very pretty. even prettier when photo'd in a cemetery in autumn. B^)

and it would certainly command top dollar.

re: paint scheme ... i really just meant i wouldn't pay top dollar for either the yellow or black schemes for a le champion. neither looks right to me.

but the black (with red) looks great on the lower models, the g.record especially.

did the team bike come in anything other than orange? if so, it just wouldn't look right.

only my opinion.

rootboy 

I'm witchou. Though the early 70s yellow bikes are kind of cool, and the iconic black and red is so classic, I like the more esoteric colors they offered. But what really appeals to me about seventies Motos is the graphics. The modern, discreet italisized script is so understated, and looks so good on the solid color examples. Me thinks.

CroMo Mike 

If it has hung under a skylight for that long, the sun may have faded the colors and rotted the plastic and rubber. Pictures might tell the story.

Kactus

I agree with Mike... we need photos of that beautiful Le Champion.