Moto Redux
11-11-14, 01:28 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Moto Redux
I finally got my 1974 Motobecane Champion Team put back together. I found the bike on the Facebook 'Vintage Steel Bike' group. The owner had it on San Francisco CL for a while but it never sold (my good fortune
). Turns out the seller is a member here!
The bike was quite dirty and appears to have been ridden and enjoyed a lot. There were many chips in the paint and most of the chrome was a little rusty. Upon receiving the bike, I stripped it down and completely cleaned and lubed it with Dura-Ace grease. Oxalic acid removed the rust and my ultra sonic cleaner did a great job to clean the small parts. Here is a photo of the frame when I received it.
I cleaned and polished all parts and the frame using Scratch-X and sprayed the inside with Frame Saver. I touched up the frame with Testor's hobby paint and then waxed with a good paste wax. When I went to re-pack the front hub, I noticed the cones were badly scored so I replaced them.
I found a Cinelli Unicanitor saddle, early logo Giro bars and 1A stem on line as well as Super Champion Route rims that I had laced to the high flange hubs with DB spokes. I glued on some Vitorria Corsa Evo tires to complete the wheels. I replaced all cables and put on a new chain. The bars are wrapped with Newbaums cloth tape. The pedals are Shimano SPD's (not original but better for riding for me).
Test ride and final adjustment to come...
). Turns out the seller is a member here! The bike was quite dirty and appears to have been ridden and enjoyed a lot. There were many chips in the paint and most of the chrome was a little rusty. Upon receiving the bike, I stripped it down and completely cleaned and lubed it with Dura-Ace grease. Oxalic acid removed the rust and my ultra sonic cleaner did a great job to clean the small parts. Here is a photo of the frame when I received it.
I cleaned and polished all parts and the frame using Scratch-X and sprayed the inside with Frame Saver. I touched up the frame with Testor's hobby paint and then waxed with a good paste wax. When I went to re-pack the front hub, I noticed the cones were badly scored so I replaced them.
I found a Cinelli Unicanitor saddle, early logo Giro bars and 1A stem on line as well as Super Champion Route rims that I had laced to the high flange hubs with DB spokes. I glued on some Vitorria Corsa Evo tires to complete the wheels. I replaced all cables and put on a new chain. The bars are wrapped with Newbaums cloth tape. The pedals are Shimano SPD's (not original but better for riding for me).
Test ride and final adjustment to come...
11-11-14, 02:35 PM
#2
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WOOF. Impeccable.
11-11-14, 02:52 PM
#4
Cisalpinist
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Great stuff. Enjoy that orange beauty! Not too many taking the step these days relacing back to tubulars, but there's no arguing with the looks and ride of a nice set of tubs.
11-11-14, 03:08 PM
#5
If I own it, I ride it
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Sharp. Well done. Welcome to the club.
11-11-14, 05:14 PM
#7
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This bike is beautiful.
11-12-14, 06:13 AM
#9
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One of my favorite bicycles - well done!
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11-12-14, 12:46 PM
#10
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i'll be sending a few of mine over for the same treatment.
11-12-14, 01:05 PM
#12
aka Tom Reingold
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That's impeccable work.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
11-12-14, 01:20 PM
#13
Shifting is fun!
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This is how I like to see it done. Congrats!
11-16-14, 02:42 PM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I finally got the Moto out for a quick shake-down ride. Now I understand why people praise French bikes; it rides so smooth it feels like you're floating on a cloud. It tracks very straight yet turns in quickly without being twitchy. When I put down a little extra power the bike leaps ahead instantly. The bike just seems to do everything well.
The only adjustment needed was the front brakes; they squealed like a 12 year old girl at a One Direction concert. A couple of tugs with the Park BT-3 and the problem should be resolved.
The only adjustment needed was the front brakes; they squealed like a 12 year old girl at a One Direction concert. A couple of tugs with the Park BT-3 and the problem should be resolved.
11-16-14, 07:24 PM
#15
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Beautimus!
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