Hey all:

I'm a longtime rider, but really trying to learn to diagnose and fix my own problems as I'm getting more and more into vintage bikes. I'm having one of those can't-quite-put-my-finger-on-it issues with my "new/old" bike and could use some advice.

I just bought a 1984 Motobecane Grand Jubilee, a really nice bike, but this example hadn't been maintained or ridden in quite a while. Because it needed new tubes and wheel truing I took it to my LBS for a basic tuneup (and won't go there again, but that's another story).

I took it for a test spin last night after work. The bike fits me great, the frame is straight and in good shape, the Campy derailleurs shift like butter, it should be a great ride. But there's some kind of issue going on.

The bike has a Maillard Helicomatic hub and cluster. I noticed when riding last night that the pedaling just seemed more - well, effortful than it should have. I'm used to the feel of a '74 Raleigh Super Course MkII, which is a relatively smooth bike. On the Moto I felt like I was losing a lot of the energy I was putting into the cranks. In addition, I noticed a troubling amount of distension (is that the right word?) on the rear wheel as I pedaled. At moments under effort the rear wheel would rub against the frame slightly, although when I stopped it seemed the rear wheel had returned to its normal spacing (so it wasn't set loose in the dropouts and just sliding forward). And when I hold the rear end of the bike up and spin the back wheel, it seems to spin freely - no obvious obstructions - but seems to spin down to a halt rather more quickly than when I do the same thing with my old Raleigh, which seems to spin quite a bit longer (a very unscientific test, but there you have it).

I'm thinking the rear hub may be shot, that what I'm experiencing is bearings going bad and allowing for so much slop in the wheel. Does that make sense? Or should I look elsewhere for the problem? IS this something I could address by cleaning and repacking the bearings? How would I tell if the hub is salvageable?

I'm planning on getting a new rear wheel anyway, with a conventional freewheel. Given the Maillard's bad rep, I'd just feel easier on long rides having something more durable, more familiar that is easier to get serviced at bike shops. But I'd like to service the Helicomatic if possible and keep the wheel intact as a backup. And I'd just like to learn how to do these things for myself.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Roy