Motobecane Mirage Identification help
 

Hi all,

My father recently passed and I have inherited his old bike (and the newer nicer one).

I know he had been lugging it around for the past 40 years or so but I want to pin down the exact year. From what little I know, the simplex derailleurs and 1020 hi ten steel are mid level at best. But it's a pretty bike and it both rides well and fits me perfectly.

I have attached pictures along with as much of the serial number I can identify. If needed I can try and further decipher it.

Thanks for your help.

http://i.imgur.com/mdNK9a1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WazifDO.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ms1IhDb.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/R29VXvH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/bkEWDoH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/4yr9Lbk.jpg

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From what can be seen in photos looks to be 1973. Only items appearing in photos not original to bike are pedals and tyres.

You may be able to get a date confirmation from the markings on the wheel rims. There will be a small diamond shaped stamping near the name and model of the rim. If this has a two digit number inside it is the year of manufacture for the rim. (Sometimes diamonds are empty.) Bike made right around the time the rim manufacturer began adding these numbers so it is a tossup whether you will have empty diamonds or marked ones...

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/P6AAAO...8F/s-l1600.jpg

Readers would be able to give you better assistance if you could post a fairly large format drive side image of the complete machine.

That's great its a good size for you. These memory bikes are always nice to retain and use when feasible. :)

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[MENTION=333224]juvela[/MENTION], thanks for your reply! I checked the rims and there is a 72 in the diamond on the rim. There was so much dirt I didn't see the writing before.

I attached a couple drive side pics as well, in case anyone wants to see.

http://i.imgur.com/NxM91eA.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/4IamROQ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/TyCHhgm.jpg

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Thanks very much for the additional imagery papaStrudel. ;)

Good job with the pictures. :thumb:

The 72 number would indicate either a 1972 or 1973 model year bicycle. IIRC '73 was the first year for this head emblem.

Another spot for a confirmation date on your Dad's bicycle is the backside of the inner cage plate for the Simplex Prestige rear derailleur. Here are two examples of what to look for:

http://www.bikeboompeugeot.com/Seria...lleur_Date.jpg

http://www.bikeboompeugeot.com/Seria...lleur_Date.jpg

This will likely be the same as or within one year of the number on the rims.

Here is the manufacturer's catalogue page for the Mirage model of 1973:

http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalog.../04_Mirage.jpg

The bicycle's crankset and pedalset are a very nice upgrade from what would have been there originally. BTW - this crankset lends itself well to tripling in case you would ever wish to consider that option in the future.

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I think that shape head badge was only on the 1973 models.

Looks like a 1973 Mirage. The crankset has been replaced and the brake "safety levers" have been removed. It is very good shape for its age.

Here is a link
http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/catalog...back_cover.jpg

+1 :thumb:

Thanks for all your very informative replies! I just had it tuned and I plan to replace the bar tape and take it for a spin soon. I will update with pics.

Nice! You'll enjoy that. My first road bike was a then-brand spankin' new 1976 Motobecane Mirage, pretty much the same but with Suntour and other components. I rode the heck out of that thing in six years of commuting, long group rides, recreational riding and even a few entry level crits and time trials. I wasn't fast but I had a lot of fun. Wish I'd kept it. Very comfortable bike for longer casual rides.

hey all! unfortunately no more pics right now... does anyone have any recommendations for replacing the front and rear derailleur? They shift like crap and I am not sure if it's because they haven't been adjusted or not, but it is not pretty. Maybe something period correct - ish, silver, and the two of them for $100-150?

Thanks much!