rideandgoseek 

I've got the chance to purchase this original owner 1975 Motobecane Le Champion and i'm curious what you guys think a fair price would be? Appears to be well cared for but looks like the stem has been replaced (the owner is rather old and I'm guessing he did so for a more comfortable riding position) and it's missing the top tube cable clamps, seat binder bolt, and toe clips.

I've asked if he has any of those original parts still laying around but I haven't heard back yet. What would you say is a fair price assuming those parts are not located?

I've always been infatuated with this bike because of the silver lilac paint job and would love to end up with it if the price is right.

Thanks for your time and opinions!

CliffordK

The script on the top tube is not visible in the photo. I'll assume that it actually says "Le Champion". You can verify dates by bringing up old catalog photos. Pay attention to the head tube lugs.

The bike actually looks in pretty good shape, and appears to be mostly Campy Nuovo Record. It has a few shortcomings that I see.

• Seatpost Binder Bolt
• Top Tube Rear Brake Cable Clamps
• Headbadge?
• Handlebar Stem?

Nothing else is real glaring, so I can't say if it is substituted. If the seller is the original owner, you might ask about the substituted parts, and whether the original parts are available. Handlebar stem which is French?

I also can't tell the tire size and whether they are sewups or clinchers.

You could easily spend $100 picking up the correct pieces to bring it back, if that is what you wanted. Otherwise, it would still be a good bike as-is (perhaps with a good tune-up and lube job).

I'd think somewhere on the order of $300 to $500 would be reasonable for both parties.

merziac

These were supposedly the same frame as the Team Champion/Champion team, so top of the line and equal to your Paramount. What did/would you have paid for that? No headbadge probably indicates it was the sticker version that was taken off. I have a TC frame that I paid in the $3-500 range for because it was my size and I really wanted it, it has the iconic for me metal headbadge that was a plus and came with HS, BB and seatpost. I would be prepared to step for one of these but I probably pay too much when I want something. I would think at least $500.

Kactus 

I would expect around $450-$550.

bikemig 

Concur with the others, this bike is worth around $500. The parts that are missing will be easy to replace.

rideandgoseek 

According to the '75 catalog specs it came with Super Champion rims and Gran Turismo tubulars. I could be wrong but I believe I see a Super Champion sticker on the rim so guessing they're tubulars. Look in decent shape but if I did need to replace them (probably should just to be safe) then I'm gonna want to factor that into the purchase price as well. Anyone have any luck riding old tubulars? I had a '85 Trek 760 with the original tubulars which I rode and they held up relatively well to the demands of riding until I eventually sold the bike. They did however begin to fray over time. Probably only put about 300ish miles on them and always felt a little sketched out that the glue would give out on me. Never did though