Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,045
Likes: 15
From: Lancaster County, PA
Bikes: '39 Hobbs, '58 Marastoni, '73 Italian custom, '75 Wizard, '76 Wilier, '78 Tom Kellogg, '79 Colnago Super, '79 Sachs, '81 Masi Prestige, '82 Cuevas, '83 Picchio Special, '84 Murray-Serotta, '85 Trek 170, '89 Bianchi, '90 Bill Holland, '94 Grandis
The top end Motobecanes - i.e. Champion Team - typically came with Campagnolo components. But in about 1982, Motobecane suddenly had a kind of "Tout Francais" revival period, and started equipping its bikes with indigenous bits. At the Trexlertown, PA swap meet several years ago, I came across a NOS Champion Team in the common midnight blue that was evidently from this period - I believe according to the seller from the last year that model was made. It was gorgeous, with all top-end French components, the saddle still wrapped in plastic. I believe the asking price was $900, and I was holding twice that amount in my hand, but it just didn't fit where I was going with my bikes. I still can't believe it lasted that long - this was the end of the day after I'd sold all my own stuff. But that's a swap where folks are looking for killer deals, and probably the bike didn't get the appreciation it warranted. There was a lot more really nice vintage stuff at T'Town in those days, too, IMO.