Take a look at the Motobecane website. Yes, there is one. If you click on the "Contact Us" link you'll be brought to a page where one of the headings is "Vintage Bikes"

Here's what it says: "There are so many beautiful vintage bicycles throughout the years. We love hearing about your cycling treasures but do not provide appraisals or vintage replacement parts. One may have have good luck searching ebay or craigslist."

Sounds like they get some people contacting them about parts for old Motobecanes. They certainly don't come out and say: "Sorry, we have no real association with the original Motobecane". They're content to let people go on believing.

Another Gem on that page is the dealer locater. Kind of makes it feel like you could just go out and buy one from an LBS doesn't it? I put in my city, state, and zip. Apparently living in one of the top cycling cities in the US doesn't warrant an actual Motobecane dealership. I received an email telling me I could get one from BikesDirect or sportymamabikes.com (run by the the BD guy's sister or something).

Of course they're promoting themselves as the original company. They do that by simply using the name.