Motobecane did move to Japanese components in the late 70s, but it is quite likely that things have been changed on your bike, panther. 'Le Champion' was (sold as) a racing bike so bar end shifters are really unlikely to have been original equipment. My MB Grand Record came to me with Suntour barcons as well, but they were clearly a switch by a previous owner who was probably using the bike for touring.

Pictures will tell us a lot. The serial number will probably not...on a thread about Grand Records I started trying to gather information, but no system to the numbers is apparent.