need help identifying this bike
 

I picked up this bike for a very small sum of money at a tag sale, but I can't figure out what kind it is. The only really distinguishing features are that it is a six-speed (one large chainring in front) and the shifter is mounted on the down tube. I've attached the logo sticker that's on the frame (sorry for the low quality, the room where the bike is has awful lighting).

I don't even know if this belongs in the vintage section, but the bike seems to be rather old and still in good working order. So is this just a really cheap brand or something better?

Thanks,
Andrew

It's a Motobecane, but we'll need to see more pictures to tell you what kind. I know they made a six-speed "cruiser type" upright bike in the early 80's; I don't recall seeing any road bikes with only one chainring.

Shoot a few more snaps and we'll see if we can figure it out.


Motofan :D

Wow, thanks for the quick response. Here's some more pics I took but didn't include the first time around:

http://www.engr.uconn.edu/~am01f01/x/mb/

If you require any more, let me know.

Andrew

Update: upon further inspection, it's a five speed.

Is there a name on the chainring? The frame is definately Motobecane, the paint scheme is unfamiliar to me, but seeing as the frame is lugged (meaning it's from before Motobecane shifted production to taiwan following the 1981 bankruptcy), but the logo is a sticker, not a badge plate makes me think it's very early 80's, maybe late 70's. I have an '80 Nomade and it shows the same lug/sticker combination. I don't believe Nomades ever came in blue though...

with the missing backbrake cable (front only) it almost looks like it was halfway to becoming a fixed gear

Well, the missing rear brake cable was my doing; it was just off in the pictures because I was in mid-repair. There's nothing on the chainring. The cranks say "Tracer" though.

Looks like I really stumped everyone, eh? Any more help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Andrew

Stumped? Never... You've merely motivated me to research.

Are the derailleurs Huret?

With the single chainring it's halfway to becoming a fixed gear... I want to know what this bike is so I can find a chainring like that one. I'm converting my Moto to fixed, but I wanted to use parts from the same era.

If I use any new parts, they'll make the rest of the bike look bad. heh.

This bike was a ten speed originally. An image of the business side as requested would assist.