I finally found one of my Grail Bikes
12-21-18, 11:25 PM
#1
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I finally found one of my Grail Bikes
As I've discovered since getting into cycling . I am not really not into race bikes... I appreciate them and admire them, and have even built several up to keep myself busy. However touring bikes are what interest me and what I really like to acquire. Today I finally purchased a Motobecane Grand Jubilee , its not the earlier version with a Reynolds 531 frameset and the Huret drive train , its the later bike with Vitus 172 and a Suntour Cyclone drive train , but it is a Grand Jubilee none the less so I am thrilled to finally have it. This bike is going to take a complete overhaul , but the finished is really nice despite the half inch of dirt and dust on the frame. Not totally sure about the direction I am going to do , but I will probably strip most of the original parts off and get rid of them , and give the bike a more modern set of running gear. I am considering using the Ideale saddle, its been cleaned and conditioned and is sitting in the house as we speak . I will see what it looks and feels like in a few days and go from there. What is interesting is that the original shifters appear to have been removed at some point and a Shimano clamp on set were installed. I plan to go with bar ends as I rebuild this bike so I will be installing cable stops at some point.
Anyway I just wanted to share my find , it is very exciting (to me) .
Anyway I just wanted to share my find , it is very exciting (to me) .
Last edited by SamSpade1941; 12-21-18 at 11:31 PM.
12-22-18, 01:08 AM
#2
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As I've discovered since getting into cycling . I am not really not into race bikes... I appreciate them and admire them, and have even built several up to keep myself busy. However touring bikes are what interest me and what I really like to acquire. Today I finally purchased a Motobecane Grand Jubilee , its not the earlier version with a Reynolds 531 frameset and the Huret drive train , its the later bike with Vitus 172 and a Suntour Cyclone drive train , but it is a Grand Jubilee none the less so I am thrilled to finally have it. This bike is going to take a complete overhaul , but the finished is really nice despite the half inch of dirt and dust on the frame. Not totally sure about the direction I am going to do , but I will probably strip most of the original parts off and get rid of them , and give the bike a more modern set of running gear. I am considering using the Ideale saddle, its been cleaned and conditioned and is sitting in the house as we speak . I will see what it looks and feels like in a few days and go from there. What is interesting is that the original shifters appear to have been removed at some point and a Shimano clamp on set were installed. I plan to go with bar ends as I rebuild this bike so I will be installing cable stops at some point.
Anyway I just wanted to share my find , it is very exciting (to me) .
Anyway I just wanted to share my find , it is very exciting (to me) .
I think we may have discussed the older one I have but its too big at 60-62, let me know if it can help you anyway.
12-22-18, 01:43 AM
#4
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Good on ya man, glad you found what you want. I always tell myself a particular bike will eventually bring me what I really want and it has worked several times, keep your eye out for the older version and just be patient.
I think we may have discussed the older one I have but its too big at 60-62, let me know if it can help you anyway.
I think we may have discussed the older one I have but its too big at 60-62, let me know if it can help you anyway.
12-22-18, 02:09 AM
#5
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Excellent. I like you making it the way you like it. To my mind bikes are best when they have a utilitarian purpose. Also, i love bar ends!
12-22-18, 03:25 AM
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12-22-18, 07:14 AM
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Nice bike, I look forward to seeing the finished product.
12-22-18, 08:56 AM
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Those red and black Jubilees with chrome socks are just dead sexy. Plus they’re French so that only adds to the allure. (Who doesn’t just love the mystery surrounding what type of bottom bracket you’ll get: French? British? Maybe Swiss??) Thank goodness nobody has a 60cm with Huret Jubilee drivetrain for sale or my Gitanes would be a little jealous... and my marriage precarious.
12-22-18, 09:09 AM
#10
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Those red and black Jubilees with chrome socks are just dead sexy. Plus they’re French so that only adds to the allure. (Who doesn’t just love the mystery surrounding what type of bottom bracket you’ll get: French? British? Maybe Swiss??) Thank goodness nobody has a 60cm with Huret Jubilee drivetrain for sale or my Gitanes would be a little jealous... and my marriage precarious.
12-22-18, 09:41 AM
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12-22-18, 09:42 AM
#13
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12-22-18, 09:59 AM
#14
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Nice bike! I am currently building up a ‘73 Jubile frame with the components I prefer. I look forward to seeing how yours turns out.
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12-22-18, 10:13 AM
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the later Suntour shifting spec bikes I feel got short changed in the crank set choice.
it deserves something French.
i finally got a headset for my silver/red frame set. I have the brakes, plenty else to decide on. I could use a road bike with fenders. Red fenders.
12-22-18, 10:34 AM
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I like French bikes and the Motobecane Grand Jubilee was/is one of my favorites. But, as much as I liked my Grand Jubilee, which i built up in three different versions, seeking a perfect comfort rider...
Version One - bars uncomfortable...
Versioin Two - great for comfortable easy riding...
Sold to a fellow who wanted it to look like this...
...decided to let it go to make room for my PX10E...
Version One - bars uncomfortable...
Versioin Two - great for comfortable easy riding...
Sold to a fellow who wanted it to look like this...
...decided to let it go to make room for my PX10E...
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12-22-18, 11:07 AM
#17
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12-22-18, 11:39 AM
#18
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I too love the looks of those black and red Moto`s. They just look so beautiful and classy.
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12-22-18, 12:00 PM
#19
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12-22-18, 02:55 PM
#20
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I made an interesting discovery a little bit ago .... Look
12-22-18, 03:50 PM
#21
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Clearly no Swiss threaded bottom brackets were in stock... Unfortunately, this is a pretty typical caveman repair. With a big enough wrench, BSC cups will screw onto Swiss threads. At least they forced threaded on a campy cup. 
At this point the threads should be chased, and a Swiss threaded BB reinstalled.
At this point the threads should be chased, and a Swiss threaded BB reinstalled.
12-22-18, 03:56 PM
#22
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Clearly no Swiss threaded bottom brackets were in stock... Unfortunately, this is a pretty typical caveman repair. With a big enough wrench, BSC cups will screw onto Swiss threads. At least they forced threaded on a campy cup.
At this point the threads should be chased, and a Swiss threaded BB reinstalled.
At this point the threads should be chased, and a Swiss threaded BB reinstalled.
Thanks for the validation ... I will see if I can order an IRD or VO Swiss bottom bracket . As soon as I decide on a crank , the original SR crank is not going back . I may buy an IRD or VO crank don't know just yet.
The upside is the threads don't appear to be stripped so hopefully chasing them will be all that's required... FWIW the campy cup looks fantastic with no threading damage...
12-22-18, 05:21 PM
#23
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Thanks for the validation ... I will see if I can order an IRD or VO Swiss bottom bracket . As soon as I decide on a crank , the original SR crank is not going back . I may buy an IRD or VO crank don't know just yet.
The upside is the threads don't appear to be stripped so hopefully chasing them will be all that's required... FWIW the campy cup looks fantastic with no threading damage...
The upside is the threads don't appear to be stripped so hopefully chasing them will be all that's required... FWIW the campy cup looks fantastic with no threading damage...
Keep in mind I was being slightly snobby WRT the crank. There's really nothing wrong with those SR cranks, they just are kind of less deluxe than the rest of the bike. IRD or VO crank would be nice. Also look at SunXCD cranks. Probably all made in the same factory, but I like the aesthetics of the SunXCD the best. Vintage Stronglight, TA or Nervar would be cool too. Might cost less.
12-22-18, 05:58 PM
#24
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Yeah, I've seen this before and it typically doesn't cause any permanent damage. You could probably just screw a Swiss cup back on there and be fine, but best practice is to chase the threads first.
Keep in mind I was being slightly snobby WRT the crank. There's really nothing wrong with those SR cranks, they just are kind of less deluxe than the rest of the bike. IRD or VO crank would be nice. Also look at SunXCD cranks. Probably all made in the same factory, but I like the aesthetics of the SunXCD the best. Vintage Stronglight, TA or Nervar would be cool too. Might cost less.
Keep in mind I was being slightly snobby WRT the crank. There's really nothing wrong with those SR cranks, they just are kind of less deluxe than the rest of the bike. IRD or VO crank would be nice. Also look at SunXCD cranks. Probably all made in the same factory, but I like the aesthetics of the SunXCD the best. Vintage Stronglight, TA or Nervar would be cool too. Might cost less.
I just don't like the crank, it looks like the same one that came on my Super Mirage . I left it on the Super Mirage simply because there was no point to putting a nicer crank on there . The bike wasn't worth all that much money. A girl in my neighborhood fell in love with it though and purchased it for $200 , sometimes I see her around town riding that Black and Red Super Mirage ...
Anyway I own a SunXCD and its stunning, it is slated for my Stanyan 18 build though which I am getting closer to being able to start every day.... I used TA rings on my SunSCD crank arms .....
I was just admiring the IRD cranks which look almost exactly like a Campy crank and I like the look of the VO Drillium crank as well ...
12-22-18, 07:37 PM
#25
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I will be putting a Spécialités TA triple on mine.
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