new here Motobecane restoration
 

Need to submit 10 posts before I can send pics. I am restoring a 1972 Motobecane. Only kept the frame and have converted to porteur with rear rack. Will continue later

new here # 2
 

Motobecane frame was powder coated a moss green. Added suntour derailleurs Superbpro 5200 and VO porteur handlebars.

new here #3
 

Motobecane- also added Shimano Dura Ace 7800 dual pivot brakes. Needed to have these cut/welded and extended to accomodate new rims.

Please don't spam us. You can upload your pics to your album and we will add it. Or you can introduce yourself in introductions and reply to a few posts to hit 10. But spamming is never a good idea.

Did you really cut, and weld extensions into Dura Ace calipers!?! Now this is a picture we need to see! Unfortunately, you've reached your five-post limit for our first day.

No need to start more than one thread on the same topic. Ridic.

Merged three threads into one. Please do not make more threads just trying to get to 10 posts. Go say hello to 5 other new forum members.

Post your pictures to a album in your gallery and then we can post them for you.

Can’t wAit for pics I sold motobecanes in 1975
 

We also had bob jackson and Frejus

I wouldnt recommend this, but needed to extend calipers inorder reach rims. Had a welding shop splice in 1/4" alloy. Had to be very careful with amount of heat since they are cast alluminum alloy and could end up with a pool of metal. One caliper failed immediately and had to be rewelded. Since then no problems. It was my first project so didnt consider all the issues. Here is a pic of the front brake and the bike. The welding shop did a great job of polishing. You would never know they were cut and extended.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8992d0e64a.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...25643c7169.jpg

Its certainly a nice looking build. Did you do the paint yourself? If so what method did you use.

One minor nit: normally the rear brake cable housing goes over the seat stay to make the curve smoother to the rear. Not a huge thing but the current routing looks slightly tight.

Good looking bike and nice restoration. It's water under the bridge but there are brakes out there with a long enough reach so that you wouldn't need to modify those dura ace brakes. Dura ace brakes of this generation are generally short reach (perhaps always actually) brakes.

Very nice! The work on the Dura Ace calipers is amazing. Your machine shop does great work. My only suggestion would be to add fenders. It is such a refined looking bike at the moment with its upright bars and rack. A nice set of fenders would icing your beautiful cake! Well done! :thumb:

Maybe Shimano brake pads have improved over the past decade, but I found a set so scary/dangerous that I immediately replaced them with KoolStop salmons, so that I could actually stop, instead of merely checking speed, on a 15 percent downward slope.

Welcome to the Bike Forums. Like you, I am a bit of a Motobecane enthusiast also. That said, even though the OP's bike is a beauty, tastefully done and a treat to view, it is not a restoration in my mind. Except for the incredibly dangerous weld the caliper arm thing, well done. There is a lot to properly welding aluminum and with something as critical as the caliper arms - forgetaboutit!

What I found that will help extend reach is to modify a front brake caliper alloy washer. These can be filed to a wedge shape, which when rotated, will safely but only slightly, extend caliper reach. Were I the OP, I would get those modified calipers off the bicycle before riding it again. Trust me on this - crashing can really hurt and for a heck of a long time. I endoed my bike in 2000, broke my neck in two places and my neck still expresses different levels of discomfort (pain) to this day and even as this moment.

Wow! That turned out great. That looks like a Nomade Sprint with fresh paint, a Brooks, Silver Shifters, long reach Dura Ace dual pivots,...

lipstick on a pig never looked so good😉

Edit: Must add that I rescued a Nomade Sprint and it was a great rider.

You could teach the seller of this faux Grand Record a few things.

https://spokane.craigslist.org/bik/d...275903707.html

motobecane 70s restoration
 

i am also restoring a 70s motobecane.finding difficulty in matching the seat post. a size 25 with adaptor still too loose,a 26.4 too big.it looks oval.seatbolt screw is bent,i will replace it to c if it helps.

motobecane 70s restoration
 

Had trouble fitting in the pedals,threading seems different.

Danny kee with a big screwdriver between the ears of the seat lug, a little twist might let you put that 26.4 in there. Cranks could be french threaded. Don't force it.

I agree. Didnt know the issues with welding at the time. Only ride this bike on flat trails. Will do things differently next time.

you can also use a shim if its too loose. If the shim is too much cut it in half

I'm not a big fan of Shimano pads either. I replaced the pads on my Merckx's Dura-Ace 7700 brakes with Jagwire pads & they are definitely an improvement.

Tastefully done.
A drop bolt would be a safer alternative to welding the calipers.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/home-drop.html