1976 Motobecane Grand Touring
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Maryland & Florida
Posts: 15
Bikes: Trek Madone 5.2, Trek Singletrak, Cannondale 500, 1976 Motobecane Grand Touring
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
1976 Motobecane Grand Touring
I have a 1976 Motobecane Grand Touring that I bought new in 1976. I rode it for quite a while, then moved on to a Cannondale. Anyway, it has been hanging in my garage since and I am looking to dispose of it. It is way too nice a bike to take to the dump, that's why I still have it. It is all original stock parts, even the well worn saddle, except for the rear wheel and derailleur and, of course, tires. The headset is cranky, but the rest of the bearings are smooth and it can be ridden as it is. The frame has original paint with a few nicks, particularly on the drive-side chainstay, but not rusty. Is there a market for the bike in original condition? If so, how much is it worth? Should I invest some time and money to refurbish it mechanically? Would that make it more salable or valuable? I'm capable of fixing the bike, but not a professional. Thanks for any advice.
Last edited by cb400bill; 08-19-17 at 08:58 AM. Reason: Removed marketing comments
#2
Ride.Smile.Repeat
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,869
Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 793 Post(s)
Liked 514 Times
in
364 Posts
I bought a 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring in Seattle for $150 in good condition 2 years ago, depending your area I would say $150 to $200 depending on condition. Tough to say without pictures.
The MotoGT is a nice mid-level bike not entry level not high end. New consumables are going to run you around $80 and then labor and time, the rehab might push the value to $200 or more depending on condition and market. If you can work on bikes but its not fun for you then you can always donate it to a bike co-op if you have one in your area. The low effort option is to wipe the dust off list it for $75 as is and see what happens. You did say you wanted it gone right?
A shot of mine below
EDIT FYI the 76 model does have the nicer Vitus main tubes, earlier models had the more run of the mill 1020 tubing
[IMG]
IMG_1311 by Ryan Surface, on Flickr[/IMG]
The MotoGT is a nice mid-level bike not entry level not high end. New consumables are going to run you around $80 and then labor and time, the rehab might push the value to $200 or more depending on condition and market. If you can work on bikes but its not fun for you then you can always donate it to a bike co-op if you have one in your area. The low effort option is to wipe the dust off list it for $75 as is and see what happens. You did say you wanted it gone right?
A shot of mine below
EDIT FYI the 76 model does have the nicer Vitus main tubes, earlier models had the more run of the mill 1020 tubing
[IMG]

Last edited by ryansu; 08-18-17 at 10:00 PM.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Bethesda/Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,787
Bikes: '72 Moto Grand Record, '72 Gitane tandem, '72 Raleigh Super Course, '73 Raleigh Gran Sport, '73 and '76 Colnagos Super, '76 Fiorelli Coppi, '78 Raleigh SBDU Team Pro, '78 Trek 930, '81 Holdsworth Special 650B, '86 Masi GC, '87 Panasonic DX5000
Mentioned: 60 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 700 Post(s)
Liked 328 Times
in
189 Posts
There's a forum specific to requests like this. Moderators may move it there:
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Bike Forums
But yes, there is definitely a market and fan-base for mid-70's, mid-level Motobecanes. They are well made, stylish, have good componenents, and they ride great. I just bought a ~'76 Motobecane Grand Jubile, which is a similar level bike, in as-found condition, with original components for $80, and I think I got a good deal. Once I replace tires, cables, and bearing grease. I'll sell it for about $175 to a friend, or get about $225 on the open market.
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Bike Forums
But yes, there is definitely a market and fan-base for mid-70's, mid-level Motobecanes. They are well made, stylish, have good componenents, and they ride great. I just bought a ~'76 Motobecane Grand Jubile, which is a similar level bike, in as-found condition, with original components for $80, and I think I got a good deal. Once I replace tires, cables, and bearing grease. I'll sell it for about $175 to a friend, or get about $225 on the open market.
__________________
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
#4
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,297
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR gravel Viscount Aerospace Pro Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2719 Post(s)
Liked 4,233 Times
in
2,538 Posts
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York Metro Area
Posts: 4,178
Bikes: '14 Insight 2, '95 Trek 720 Multi-Track, '94 Cannondale M600; '92 Raleigh Dash Max; '86 Panasonic DX 5000, '81 Fuji S12S, '81 Fuji Royale; '78 Bridgestone Diamond Touring, '78 Motobecane Grand Touring, plus many more!
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 161 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times
in
82 Posts
I second the "motion" put forward by ryansu. His estimate sounds solid. It is a great riding bike that somebody will appreciate. Mine is also a '78 model.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 19,286
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 168 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5412 Post(s)
Liked 2,216 Times
in
1,435 Posts
In most markets that bike should disappear quickly for right around $75-$100. More likely than not where I live some flipper will buy it and list it at 2x the price but not put any work into the bike. There it will languish on CL for a few years, probably forever.
Bottom line not fixed up it will move at right around $100. It would have to be a very good market for it to move--as is--at much more.
Bottom line not fixed up it will move at right around $100. It would have to be a very good market for it to move--as is--at much more.
#7
Still learning
In most markets that bike should disappear quickly for right around $75-$100. More likely than not where I live some flipper will buy it and list it at 2x the price but not put any work into the bike. There it will languish on CL for a few years, probably forever.
Bottom line not fixed up it will move at right around $100. It would have to be a very good market for it to move--as is--at much more.
Bottom line not fixed up it will move at right around $100. It would have to be a very good market for it to move--as is--at much more.
Jeirvine's Jubilee is substantially in greater demand than a GT, due to frame being Reynolds 531.
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Maryland & Florida
Posts: 15
Bikes: Trek Madone 5.2, Trek Singletrak, Cannondale 500, 1976 Motobecane Grand Touring
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Thanks for the Useful Informatioin
Thanks to all who responded, never expected such a responsive and supportive community. ryansu's picture is my bike, without the rack, and polished up. They were beautiful bikes. I love the lug work on them. So now I know what to expect, I guess I will give CraigsList a try. Best wishes to everyone on BikeForums!
#9
Ride.Smile.Repeat
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,869
Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 793 Post(s)
Liked 514 Times
in
364 Posts
Good luck @StillBiking@71
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
septacycles
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
4
01-19-12 11:24 AM
Badgerjohn
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
2
09-01-11 10:01 AM
gaucho777
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
4
03-10-10 07:37 PM