Time Trialer

Nice. My Urago had a steep head tube angle too.

motogeek 

Thanks for the comments, guys. Vintage Moto's are definitely the way to ride! Got a couple pics of the Le Champ here. Not sure how to get them any larger but if you click on one of the pics and then click on the enlarged version it'll get larger again so maybe you can see some detail. The Le Champ looks blue in the photos but it's actually a candy turquoise color.

The Grand Jubile is really clean, one of the best condition G.J.s I've seen. The G.Record has lots of patina but it sure rides nice!

auchencrow

Your Moto's really rule motogeek!
If you want to post big beautiful pics (and we want you to too!), you'll first need to open a photo-hosting account and then it's simply a matter of pasting the html name here.

Welcome to C&V.
Terrific handle BTW.

motogeek 

Auchen, I'm afraid my gray roots are showing, but what's a photo-hosting account?

On another subject, does anyone have any knowledge of the Motobecane Grand Jubile mixte? I think it was a one- or two-year only model as it had the Huret Jubile ensemble with a long cage rear derailleur and downtube shifters, not stem-mounted. The one I have is silver with black panels and is Reynolds 531 main tubes and Nervex mixte lugs ... very unique. I've seen pictures of a couple others and they were candy red with black panels (1975). The rest of the parts are the same as on my '75 G.J.

rootboy 

Motogeek,
Do an online search, and check out either Photobucket, or Flickr, etc. They allow you to open an account, free, and then upload your pictures to your account. Then, when you open one picture in your account, there are usually 4 options to click on, with which to directly post a picture here. I'm probably not explaining this well. I'm probably your age, and computers are not exactly my strong suit either.

Really nice Motobecanes you have.

I'll take this opportunity to put in another pic, though I already have on this thread.

motogeek 

Schweet Moto, Rootboy. I'll try to get a flicker or photobucket account set up this week, but in the meantime, here's a pic or two of the G.J. mixte ...

rootboy 

Nice Mixte. I don't think I've seen one exactly like that before.

VintageRide

Here is my recently acquired 1968/69 Lejeune. Mostly original except for the tires, brake pads and brake cables as well as handlebar tape. It was fairly dusty and dirty from years of storage and I just finished repacking everything but the bottom bracket - I don't think any of the bearings have ever been serviced but the bike shows little mechanical wear, just chips from being moved around or hit from the look of it. Spent a few days polishing the frame and components. I even like the chrome steel Rigida rims, a welcome contrast to years of alloy rims ( nothing wrong with them of course! ). Dating this bike has been fun, what with the owner almost positive it was 1966, although the head badge suggests it was no earlier than late 1968 the down tube graphics are very similar to the older Sauvage/lejeune bikes before 1968 and the lugs are fancier than ones I have seen from the early '70's and on. The Huret Svelto rear derailleur is the first generation with smooth jockey wheels. It was only ridden for the first two years and then occasionally until recently- good thing it was a bit large for him as he was going to turn it into a single speed. I think older bikes - even entry level ones like this should be preserved when mostly original. I will be replacing the brake pads with the correct Mafac ones as well as reinstalling the original white colored cables. Even ordered some metal schraeder valve caps. . Looking for a period correct 19" frame pump as well. The sticker on the down tube says " Axel's Bicycle Shop" in North Vancouver - don't know if any locals on here remember it or actually visited the store or are aware of its history.

Zinger

Sweet

As is this whole page actually.

littlebeetle

Clean...nice and sturdy!!

The wheel are 27" ?? I believe more comfort compared to a 23c

auchencrow

Very nice!
You are probably right that the original owner was confused about the year - At least if the brake calipers are original it would place the bike no earlier than 1969. (Previous versions were marked Dural Forge).

IIWY, I'd compromise the bikes originality just a little with a good set of Alloy rims. Those steel-stippled rims will not allow the full French flavor to come through. (I replaced the same rims on my Peug with a pair of Mavic Mod E's and it made a big difference).

rootboy 

Thanks. Yes, 27 inch clinchers. That's the way I found it. In fact, the last 3 bikes I've found had 27's on them, when 700c tubulars were the originals. Saddle and brakes are non-original. And…I swapped those backwards front brake shoes before I rode it.

auchencrow

My UE8 with the Mavics. ^
(Posting it here just because I haven't posted it anywhere in quite a while).

VintageRide

auchencrow - since the European market received 700C wheels - 27 inch being installed on bikes for North America I should look for a pair of 700Cs with some higher quality Normandy hubs - or Spidel - something similar to the ones on there. I know a good set of light wheels/ quality hubs makes a difference although this bike will only be ridden occasionally so unless I find a good deal one day I am not in a hurry. I have not ridden it yet either so I guess I will find out if I can live with them. I might try a pair that are on my brother's Nishiki though, it has 32mm Panaracer Paselas on it and a campy rear hub/ Mavic rim with a front Miche hub/Ambrosio rim.

obrentharris 

The La Perle looks very sweet!
I've never seen one in person. I, for one, would love to see some more pictures.
Brent

papik

LA PERLE won the 1951 Tour de France , with Hugo KOBLET...this is a picture of a friend's 1954 model

Frogbutter 

Elvish Extra




This bike also appears on page 10 of this thread. The PO's post not mine.

papik

Detail of the LA PERLE during the rebuilt: the "OSCAR EGG" fork

papik

And other picture of the LA PERLE

papik

Pretty ! after 1980 ?

I have a 1976 L.AIMAR bike built by ELVISH

noglider 

Saumur! I haven't thought of that place since I was there in 1981, on my epic three-month tour! Thanks for jogging my memory.

non-fixie 

Early seventies' Gitane TdF. Easily my favorite ride this summer.

papik

Avec plaisir !

A picture with the castle of this beautiful city ...and some of the exponents ...it was a great week end with more of 3000 vintages bicyclists , but a little too rainy for the BROOKS saddle of my LA PERLE !

papik

Superbe !

Is it the original colour ?

Frogbutter 

I was told '82 or '83. I have never tried to nail down a year.