1976 (?) Motobecane Grand Jubilé
03-03-17, 09:09 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
1976 (?) Motobecane Grand Jubilé
This popped up on my local CL and $225 later it was in my hands. I think it is all stock except the pedals, wheelset, saddle, and reflectors. Based on some digging around -- and with some help from CR members -- I believe it is a 1976 GJ. Why? That was the first year Motobecane offered both the Suntour and Huret derailleurs along with either the Stronglight or SR crankset. Here's a link to the '76 catalog scan on Velobase: https://velobase.com/Resource_Tools/D...catalog_01.pdf
Here are the specs on what I have:
Double-butted Reynolds 531 frame and Huret drop-outs
Nervex lugs
Stronglight headset
Pivo bars and stem
Weinmann 999 center pulls and brake levers
Huret Jubilé front and rear derailleurs and shifters
SR crankset and seat post
700c Mavic MA40s laced to Shimano 105 hubs
Some cheapo made in Taiwan padded saddle
After looking at the frame, I was satisfied before I bought it that the rust was only surface. I loosened the seat post and stem to make sure they weren't stuck. Took it for a quick spin and was sold.
The Huret rear derailleur is beautiful and honestly if this had Suntours I probably would've passed on it.
When I got it home I threw my Brooks Professional on it, lubed the chain, raised the stem, and promptly took it for a 7-mile spin. I was surprised how light the bike is and it was such a smooth ride. Not sporty, but very responsive and controlled. A really pleasurable ride. And this bike desperately needs to be tuned up... I can't imagine what it will be like when I'm done with it!
I plan to take it apart, clean it up, and put it back together. The wheels are probably going to go but I will save them for another build. I have to say those Mavics were great even with their 23" tires. I barely felt the bumps. I always heard the MA40s are bombproof.
I have a pair of Atom 440 pedals which is what this came with. And I think this is the original bar tape. It has Motobecane bar end plugs.
Anyway, enough talk. Here are pics:
Here are the specs on what I have:
Double-butted Reynolds 531 frame and Huret drop-outs
Nervex lugs
Stronglight headset
Pivo bars and stem
Weinmann 999 center pulls and brake levers
Huret Jubilé front and rear derailleurs and shifters
SR crankset and seat post
700c Mavic MA40s laced to Shimano 105 hubs
Some cheapo made in Taiwan padded saddle
After looking at the frame, I was satisfied before I bought it that the rust was only surface. I loosened the seat post and stem to make sure they weren't stuck. Took it for a quick spin and was sold.
The Huret rear derailleur is beautiful and honestly if this had Suntours I probably would've passed on it.
When I got it home I threw my Brooks Professional on it, lubed the chain, raised the stem, and promptly took it for a 7-mile spin. I was surprised how light the bike is and it was such a smooth ride. Not sporty, but very responsive and controlled. A really pleasurable ride. And this bike desperately needs to be tuned up... I can't imagine what it will be like when I'm done with it!
I plan to take it apart, clean it up, and put it back together. The wheels are probably going to go but I will save them for another build. I have to say those Mavics were great even with their 23" tires. I barely felt the bumps. I always heard the MA40s are bombproof.
I have a pair of Atom 440 pedals which is what this came with. And I think this is the original bar tape. It has Motobecane bar end plugs.
Anyway, enough talk. Here are pics:
Last edited by Dougbloch; 03-03-17 at 10:50 PM.
03-03-17, 10:31 PM
#2
Senior Member
Nice score! I saw that one as well and emailed the seller, but never heard back from him. It looks to have lots of potential with just a bit of cleanup to do. Enjoy it!
03-04-17, 12:24 AM
#3
Bike Butcher of Portland
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Motobacons are sweet rides, and they're probably the only french production bike from that era that were torched up nice and proper. Huret Jubilee long cages are rare as hens teeth. Check eBay to see what they sell for nowadays, if you can find one!
I'm in search of a 60cm Grand Record, frame or full bike - bird dog fee for anyone who can facilitate!
Great score!
I'm in search of a 60cm Grand Record, frame or full bike - bird dog fee for anyone who can facilitate!
Great score!
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
03-04-17, 06:24 AM
#4
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Quite fond of my GJ:
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
03-04-17, 06:46 AM
#5
feros ferio
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Great find and congrats! That is basically a Peugeot PR/PKN-10 equivalent. When I lived in Los Angeles I use to ride with a friend who had one of those.
The other cool feature of late 1970s Motobecanes is that most of them had Swiss, instead of self-loosening French, BB threading. That long derailleur cage will serve you very nicely if you desire wider-range gearing, including even a triple up front and/or 34T in back. Otherwise, I would consider substituting a shorter cage.
The other cool feature of late 1970s Motobecanes is that most of them had Swiss, instead of self-loosening French, BB threading. That long derailleur cage will serve you very nicely if you desire wider-range gearing, including even a triple up front and/or 34T in back. Otherwise, I would consider substituting a shorter cage.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
03-04-17, 09:57 AM
#7
Senior Member
Great bike. That is going to be fun to shine up. I love the mid 70's Motobecanes. Sounds like you bought a set of Jubilee derailleurs for a good price, and got a free bike with it... 
Interesting it still has its CPSC front reflector. Perhaps you can re-purpose it as a decaleur. That would be funny.
Interesting it still has its CPSC front reflector. Perhaps you can re-purpose it as a decaleur. That would be funny.
03-04-17, 11:25 AM
#8
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One correction: I THINK that this frame has "3-main-tubes" DB531, not DB531 THROUGHOUT, which is the spec for this era's Grand Record, next step up in the US Moto lineup (and one that I own and love!). The catalog description was just a little "fudge-y" on this detail, thanks marketeers, but notice there's no Reynolds decal on the fork blades...
Congrats on this score, I would have jumped on it with ANY brand of derailleurs!
Congrats on this score, I would have jumped on it with ANY brand of derailleurs!
Last edited by unworthy1; 03-04-17 at 11:30 AM.
03-04-17, 11:43 AM
#9
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One correction: I THINK that this frame has "3-main-tubes" DB531, not DB531 THROUGHOUT, which is the spec for this era's Grand Record, next step up in the US Moto lineup (and one that I own and love!). The catalog description was just a little "fudge-y" on this detail, thanks marketeers, but notice there's no Reynolds decal on the fork blades...
Congrats on this score, I would have jumped on it with ANY brand of derailleurs!
Congrats on this score, I would have jumped on it with ANY brand of derailleurs!
03-04-17, 01:10 PM
#10
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FWIW, the Reynolds sticker timeline at H Lloyd Cycles claims that sticker didn't appear until 1977. I wouldn't put too much stock in that as I'm pretty certain that my Grand Record (also 3 tubes, BTW) is 1972 but it had the yellow sticker which they say didn't appear until 1973.
Very nice bike! I'm definitely envious of tha RD.
Very nice bike! I'm definitely envious of tha RD.
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03-04-17, 05:26 PM
#11
Death fork? Naaaah!!
The '3 main tubes' ride very nicely indeed. really can't tell the difference from the full-on 531 Gitane Super Corsa.
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
03-05-17, 12:44 PM
#12
Full Member
I've had a couple Huret Jubilee-equipped GJs over the years and have absolutely loved them. Great design, workmanship and ride. One of the few things the French ever got right. Am going to use the long cage Jubilee RD on my '75 Grand Record randonneur total French build-up (after a couple other bikes get finished). The recommended max freewheel tooth size for the long cage RD is 28 tooth, but I've used 30 and some have had some success with 34. I'll be running 13-26 on the rear and 48-38-26 TA Cyclotourist crankset with a Jubilee FD. That long cage wraps up a lot of chain. Enjoy your new find!!
03-05-17, 06:01 PM
#13
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One correction: I THINK that this frame has "3-main-tubes" DB531, not DB531 THROUGHOUT, which is the spec for this era's Grand Record, next step up in the US Moto lineup (and one that I own and love!). The catalog description was just a little "fudge-y" on this detail, thanks marketeers, but notice there's no Reynolds decal on the fork blades...
Congrats on this score, I would have jumped on it with ANY brand of derailleurs!
Congrats on this score, I would have jumped on it with ANY brand of derailleurs!
Regarding the blades - was interested in this model at launch and took one for a test ride from me local purveyor. Blades put the end to it for me. When brakes applied I could watch blades whipping back and forth like a wet noodle. NERVOR strikes again...
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