Motobecane Champion info requested
08-06-22, 01:04 PM
#51
Newbie
Thanks for the info! The IIRC was the race committee back in the day wasn't it? I wonder if all of the Champion Teams originally would have had the wood plug or only the ones that were raced?
08-06-22, 11:43 PM
#52
Stop reading my posts!
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Also a subscriber! What a fine bike to have a suspense mystery building around it
Surely will find a way to a happy ending (Butler, in the potting shed with an antique coal shuttle. My guess)
Oh had no idea this thread was so old, but I'm reading on an unfamiliar tiny pad so could be missing other details. But in case never addressed, the wooden plug inserted in the base of steered with brake bolt hole drilled thru, was primarily a French touch and explained to me that it was a safety feature in case of catastrophic failure of the steerer-to-fork crown joint. Not strictly for pro racers: these are frequently found on bikes such as PX-10 Peugeots..
Surely will find a way to a happy ending (Butler, in the potting shed with an antique coal shuttle. My guess)
Oh had no idea this thread was so old, but I'm reading on an unfamiliar tiny pad so could be missing other details. But in case never addressed, the wooden plug inserted in the base of steered with brake bolt hole drilled thru, was primarily a French touch and explained to me that it was a safety feature in case of catastrophic failure of the steerer-to-fork crown joint. Not strictly for pro racers: these are frequently found on bikes such as PX-10 Peugeots..
Last edited by unworthy1; 08-06-22 at 11:57 PM.
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08-07-22, 12:10 AM
#53
Newbie
It would be nice if it were, "Ocana over the finish line ON THIS BIKE!" But that's not possible since they are both too young. Also, because he was actually riding a Speedwell Titalite (titanium), or a Gemini, dressed in Motobecane livery. That's OK. They are both spectacularly beautiful bikes. I love them both. And one was actually raced by a semi-pro early in it's life. I'm the third owner. So the ending is probably more like, "Prior-owner, with a Campagnolo chain whip, on the cobbles of the Paris-Roubaix!"
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08-07-22, 04:48 AM
#55
Newbie
Maybe the rider rode before Motobecane for other brands before he changed to Motobecane and maybe he was an older pro rider
who was a pro since the early 1960s and loved his old bike and kept it and Motobecane colloured it?
This was not unusual till the late 1980s.
who was a pro since the early 1960s and loved his old bike and kept it and Motobecane colloured it?
This was not unusual till the late 1980s.
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08-07-22, 08:27 PM
#57
Newbie
Yes, I think it's all but certain that Ocana rode a custom bike. I've just read a great book about him called Reckless: The Life and Times of Luis Ocaña, by Alasdair Fotheringham. In the book, there are several references to his bike being incredibly light, and being made of titanium. That was space-age stuff in 1973. In any case, the rest of the team apparently rode real Motobecanes. Yes, it was a different and simpler time.
Here's a shot of the book, and the orange bike:
Here's a shot of the book, and the orange bike:
10-18-22, 04:27 PM
#58
Newbie
Making progress on the resto of my number one 1974 Champion Team. I've got twins, and will do the second CT next. Here's a couple of shots. More soon.
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Thanks for all the help from this forum. More soon!
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Thanks for all the help from this forum. More soon!
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12-02-22, 08:54 AM
#60
Junior Member
At times I think the plug should have its own thread, it is mentioned often enough.
IIRC the reasoning was to prevent water and other material from finding its way up the steerer. IMS, there were some perceived problems of rust induced failures back in the day.
A spare cork for the wine during the ride?
IIRC the reasoning was to prevent water and other material from finding its way up the steerer. IMS, there were some perceived problems of rust induced failures back in the day.
A spare cork for the wine during the ride?
12-02-22, 10:10 AM
#61
If I own it, I ride it
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A bit late in response, but note that the JA in the pic was built by Bernard Carré. Janssen rode BiC in 1969 and also rode a Carré.
12-05-22, 12:59 PM
#62
Full Member
Holy sufferin' cats. I don't have any answers to any of your questions, but I am envious. Awesome score.
03-25-23, 02:55 PM
#63
Newbie
Here are a few shots of Champion Team One currently. I'm almost finished just have to learn how to build wheels! Got a truing stand and a copy of The Bicycle Wheel. Spoke tension gauge on the way!
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