Blue Order

I'll tell you what we Moto fans should be doing-- we should be compiling all the info we can, similar to the effort the Gitane fans have made on their website. Either on a Motobecane fans website, or really help Classic Rendezvous compile a more detailed Motobecane page.

Motofan

Interesting you should say that - I'm willing to start compiling a database of model/serial number/frame material/etc. if everyone would like to PM me with their data. I'm also starting to collect info from ebay ads, but they're often inaccurate.

How do we start this?

Blue Order

Not sure, but let's figure it out. Let me know what data you'd like, and I'll PM you tomorrow.


Seldom accurate, but still useful. For example, that photo of the Super Champion proved beyond all doubt that they exist. That's why I copied and posted the photos-- before they disappear from Ebay. If you can save those photos to your computer, it would be great, because eventually I won't have them on this computer (it's a school computer).

I think a database with models, specs, production dates, photos, etc. would be very, very useful for Motofans.

T-Mar

This is the first Super Champion that I have seen or heard of. Reynolds 531 for the main tubes only, puts it below Le Champion and roughly on par with a Grand Record.

It's no earlier than 1974, based on the Reynolds decal, but the Motobecane decals don't match for the 1974-1975 period. It's not 1978 or newer, as they all had brazed-on rear brake tunnels by then. My best guess is 1976-1977.

Blue Order

Main tubes only would put it on par with the Grand Jubile, rather than the Grand Record, don't you think?

Blue Order

I just noticed that the OP is British, and the other Super Champion that you posted a link to is British, so you may be on to something with that theory.

CV-6 

I was told by someone who has a couple of Ocana/Motobecane frames that you cannot go by the three main tubes markings on these frames. The forks and stays could be 531, could even be Columbus. As with so many things, things may not always be what they seem.

dck

I was gonna suggest a European bike also. I'd be interested in a Moto database. I've found very little on the net since I started my Le Champion rebuild.

pragueinspring

I was thinking about this recently, how there needs to be a database for Motobecane's and how there are plenty for Schwinn's. I know a lot of people who wish there would be something like this, especially as shown from this link: https://search.bikelist.org/?SearchString=Motobecane

My blue Motobecane Nomade is from December 1979, dated by the SunTour Derailleur. Serial: VL The serial on the Motobecane (below it's crankset) is: 4225565 OR 4225665. The underlined digit is a number I can't quite make out.

My other, beige, Motobecane Nomade has no Serial. Which is mind bogling. I haven't looked at any components yet - but equally. I haven't had the time to rip it apart to find out.

If I can find any more info - I'd be glad to help. I know several other people with Motobecane's in town. I'll ask for their help too on info.

silverknight

Ok to sum up again. My Super Champion looks the same as the one in the pics above. Had the same colour, no braze on's and same decals except for the head badge. It has a French thread (Cost me £45 when i rebuilt the bike approx 15yrs a go and difficult to find. It is a Stronglight). I kept the head badge a rivited it back on. It is metal, painted black with a red M and white wings. Thats all the info I can give at the moment. I do have some of the old components but they will be hard to find in my garage.

silverknight

According to the ebay ad for the super champ frame the head bade decal was a replacment fitted later in its life anfter a partial refurb.

T-Mar

That all depends on the year. I've seen vintage Grand Records with full and partial Reynolds 531 and full and partial Vitus 172. Motobecane certainly liked to play around with the tube and component mixes on their models. I'd rule out a comparison with the Grand Jubile on the basis that it was intended more as a touring model.


You may be correct, but with few exceptions it is impossible to positively identify the stay and fork tubing independent of the decal. It is also hard to conceive that any any manufacturer would put a "3 tubes" decal on a bicycle that uses the full tubeset. I can understand false decals on team bicycles, where the manufacturer has a contract with a tube supplier and certain star riders prefer other tubesets, but it doesn't make sense on a consumer model. There's always human error, but the only two instances of Super Champions both have the same decal. Under the circumstances, there is no reason for me to doubt the decal is correct.

CV-6 

That is assuming these two finds are consumer models. Considering the small sample, we can't say they are consumer or team. All we have is two oddball Moto frames. Definitely inadequate information to draw any real conclusions.

Blue Order

PM'd you.

Blue Order

Are you referring to your Super Champion?

silverknight

No, My badge is metal, black backgroud, red M and white wings looks as though it is somwhere between 1975-77 then. thanks for all your help guys.

Blue Order

I'm still confused. Are you saying that you have a Super Champion of whatever year, but that the badge is the round metal badge, and it was not the original badge? Your posts aren't clear about that.

silverknight

Sorry, My badge is original and is metal. The badge on the bike on ebay was a replacement. Both are super champs.

Blue Order

This is an old thread I'm resurrecting, but there's new information.

Currently, there's a Motobecane Super Champion on eBay. So despite the confusion earlier in this thread, there apparently was a Motobecane model called the Super Champion. It is being sold in Paris, so maybe it's a European model? Or possibly just an early 70s model that was discontinued?

According to the scanty information on the eBay ad, it's a Reynolds 531 frame equipped with a Normandy Hub, Huret front and rear derailleur, T.A. Specialties crankset and pedals, and an Ideale 2002 saddle.

abarth

Super Champion Info.:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/strongl...7602167045275/

Blue Order

Interesting, thanks!

Comparing the '75 Super Champion to the '75 U.S. lineup, it seems to most closely match the '75 Grand Jubile, although there isn't enough evidence to indicate that they have the same geometry. I.e., the Grand Jubile is a touring bike, as T-Mar pointed out, while "Champion" has designated racing models, at least here in the U.S. So it may be that "Super Champion" designates a 3-tube 531 racing model, rather than a 3-tube 531 touring model.

One thing that I think there is enough evidence at this point to determine, is that the Super Champion is in fact a model for the European and/or U.K. market.

abarth

Looks like it was UK top of the line production model also.