Motobecane of undetermined age
 

So I pawed through catalogs trying to find when this Mirage might have been made. It looked like a '82 to me. Motos went backrupt in '81 but I've seen a few with tons of french parts with a '82 vintage. The BB is stamped 1956 but clearly this can't be a date. The last two digits are separate and are 79 but even that seems hard to accept as a date. The lack of safety levers, aluminum rims, (unlabeled), and Shimano hubs make me believe the '82 is the more likely possibly. Chime in with any thoughts and for T-MAR here's a look at the serial number and relevant parts. Excuse the appearance. I just brought it home. The seller stuck to his $75 request but I like the condition. Unlike most of my rebuilds I'm thinking of staying stock with all the Huret stuff. It's rare to see such a nice original condition example. Really with the exception of the steel bars I love this bike.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e9ea8442c1.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...78c4d01f97.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8d4683513e.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fe6358b3a9.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4b13c19572.jpg

This link shows an image from the 81 catalog. Seems like a match to me after a quick scan.

http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalog.../03_Mirage.jpg

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wrt dating -

the Huret fittings should be marked with a four digit date code. the first two numbers indicate the week of the year and the second two numbers the year:


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dbf3cfb9e3.jpg

the cycle's Weinmann 605 brake calipers will have a clockface type date code marked on the backside of the caliper arms:


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f2e21aada8.jpg

the backside of the machine's Sakae Ringyo crank arms are marked with a date code:

Date of Manufacture of Bicycle Components can be used to date a bike: component dating

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Didn't see the date on the brakes but the rd, yes. Plainly an 81! The cranks have an 8 over a 1 so this all checks out. You guys are the best. It worries me a little you know all this stuff though 😉