Is An '82 Moto Grand Touring Worth The Effort To Try to Keep Original?
 

My most recent acquisition is what I believe to be a 1982 Motobecane Grand Touring, made in France. The reason for the question is the front wheel is trashed, hub is salvageable. Don't know if a matching replacement is out there, so what I plan to do is replace it with a new rim, spokes, tire and tube just to be able to ride it for now. And keep an eye out for one that matches. Current wheels are Weinmann 27 x 1.25, cupped, made in Belgium.

To have an idea of current bike condition. First it has a small 1/4" sized dent on the side of the top tube, some bad scratches with surface rust around the top of the seat tube from carelessly adjusting the seat post, some other scratches, but paint is mostly in good shape. Other components work, for what I can tell, but are in bad need of a cleaning and maintenance. Things that will have to be done, cables, tires and tubes front and back, bar tape or the foam like stuff that came on it, and chain. It has Huret derailers and shifters, Stronglight crank and triple, Weinmann brakes and levers.

It is my size so I plan to keep and ride it at least for a while, if I like the ride I'll keep it, but may eventually sell or trade it.

So the question is, is it worth trying to keep all of the original components or just clean it up, fix it up and ride that baby and forget about resale value. Any infor would be greatly appreciated.

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I would be looking for a concave Weinmann rim if I were you. They are pretty cool looking, should be able to find at a reasonable cost. I would get a hub that was similar in appearance, not necessarily a perfect match.

I would go ahead and ride it, not necessarily keep everything original, but keep that original look. Don't mess up the paint or decals. Mismatched rims look like crap to me, particularly when one is as striking as a concave rim.

I think as a rider it is certainly a worthy project. do you have a set of wheels that fit it? I would clean it up and ride it see how much I like it and then start looking for a new rim (rims)

I am not sure what you paid for this but I am sure even if you just put a basic 'off the rack' alloy front wheel on it and then wanted to sell you would have little trouble doing so.

Personally in Mid Misery I would be more concerned about a triple than matching rims

I would do what I could to keep the bike original. You might be able to roll out the dent with a set of frame blocks. And, I have several Weinmann concave rims and rim sets in 27". PM me if you have trouble finding what you seek.

+1

This isn't a new-old-stock PX-10, but it's a very nice old bike. Do what you want with it but don't do anything that isn't "reversible", i.e. keep all the original parts and don't paint it. Then if you want to sell it someday you can return it to original condition and sell it that way.

Thanks all, for the helpful input. I do plan to keep the original look and hopefully by spring or sooner will be getting a matching rim. Wish I did have a spare set of wheels that would fit, that would give me a little bit of the feel for what I have, but that's not the case. I think the triple chainrings should workout alright Bianchigirll, if it doesn't, well, I like to, and do, get off the bike and walk for a bit sometimes anyway.:)

Have already started a box labeled Quasi Moto for everything that comes off of the bike, so far just a few add on things. If all is ok, I plan to keep and use the original components that came on the bike.

It should work out pretty well, something to work on thru the cold months.