What about the serial number providing a clue. My hypothesis, completely untested, is that the serial number may include date of manufacture, model number, and frame number information. I’ll use my serial number as an example. I know the bike is a ’77; the serial number is 3763952. I hypothesize that either the bike was built in 1976, as indicated by the “76”, or that it was built in 1977, as indicated by the “7.” The first digit, a 3, could be the month of manufacture. It seems unlikely that it would be built in March of 1976 and sold in June of 1977 as a 1977 model (“376”), but it is possible that it was built in March of 1977 and sold in June of 1977 (“37”). Alternatively, the “3” could be a model number. However, the rest of my hypothesis is that the number or numbers following the 7 or 76 represent the model number (e.g., “6” or “63” or “3” is the model designation for Grand Touring), and perhaps designate an export model as well (with one of those numbers indicating a U.S. model). The final numbers in the sequence would indicate that it was the “xth number” built that year.

Completely untested, but as we collect serial numbers, they may show a pattern and help resolve questions about year and model.

Could even ba a B1. If only I could still see...

In re: Motobecane models list:

Yes, there was a Mirage Sport (I have one in complete original condition).

There was also (at least in the 82 model year) a model called the Randonnee. (I have one of those also). Mine is made of lugged 2040, the frame is marked "Made in Taiwan", and the dropouts are horizontal. It has eyelets for racks and fenders, and the forks are half chromed. In contrast, my Mirage Sport of the same model year is lugless 1020, and has full paint on the forks, with vertical dropouts. Both bikes came with Huret Rival derailleurs, Huret shifters on the down tube, Selle Italia saddles, and Weinmann rims. The hubs on the Mirage are low flange, while the Randonnee had high-flange hubs. QR's on the Mirage, solid axles on the Randonnee. Alloy seatpost and handlebars on the Mirage, Wald steel on the Randy. Weinmann sidepull brakes on the Mirage vs. Dia-Compe centerpulls on the Randonnee. Oh, and the Randonnee has a round headbadge WITHOUT the word "France" along the lower half, and suicide brakes to boot. Or at least the suicide brakes were there before I sawed the levers off.... And you thought only Motobecane USA made bikes in Taiwan!

I just found out about a 1984 catalog online...

looks like we should add Grand Sprint to that list.

I just saw that Nomade I Mixte again today, and on the seat tube, it says "Made in Taiwan."

Add Motobecane Classic to the list of models. It is a 1975. Bought this last month on ebay. The serial # is stamped in the left rear dropout but I couldn't read it without removing the wheel, perhaps tomorrow. 5 speed rear with Huret derailer. Everything looks to be original except for the brake calipers and saddle.

(Mswantak gestures hypnotically)

Raverson; you will sell me that Motobecane. You will sell it to me at a bargain price. You feel compelled to put it in your truck and drive to San Leandro. You will have a nervous tic in one eyelid until you do my bidding...

:love:

Interesting bike! Two things that immediately stand out: (1) the shifter is on the top tube (never seen that arrangement before), and (2) it says "Fabrique en France" on the downtube instead of "Made in France." Was the French wording used in 1975, or is this a non-U.S. model?

Something else that needs to be sorted out. Motobecane used the words "Sport," "Super," and "Grand" to designate variations of models. It would be interesting to sort out why some models received the "Super" designation, while others received "Grand" or "Sport."

The bicycle appears to be a 5 speed version of the Nobly. The shifter location was quite common on city bicycles in the early 1970s and Peugeot had a almost identical model, the UP41. I supect the dropped handleabars and brake levers are non-original, along with the saddle and possibly the lighting system.

The "Fabrique en France" decal may indicate a foreign model, but then I would have expected the model name to be Classique. Other US models from this year have the English decal. The model does not appear in either of the 1974 or 1975 US model listings. Also, wing nuts had disappeared from most US models by 1975, especially from the large manufacturers, in anticipation of the pending CPSC legislation. It also has what appears to be a Svelto rear derailleur. These models had pretty much disappeared by 1975. The similar Nobly spec'd the Allvit as far back as 1973. So, it is unclear as to whether it is a foreign model or just older than stated in the ebay listing.

In general, the "Super" version of a particular model tended be an upgraded version of the base model, while the "Sport" version tended to be a more economical version. However, this does not appear to be a hard and fast rule, as witnessed by the Super Champion which only had a 3 tube Reynolds 531 frame and is inferior to Le Champion.

Looks like we need to add Super Sprint to the Motobecane models list. So there was a Sprint, a Sprintour, a Super Sprint, and a Grand Sprint. Any ideas about what each designation means?

I have a 70's Nomande Sprint. Seat tube is stamped 75 and original manual says Jan '76. The thing is totally original except for the tires & tubes.

Ok I'll add what I can.

I currently own a Gran Jubile which I'm pretty confident is a 78 based on a stamping on the Sugino crank. With the exception of the saddle the bike was all original (again I'm fairly confident) when I received it. I'll go out to the garage and make an inventory of OEM components shortly.

In sum a Japanese drivetrain with SunTour and Sugino parts on a 2 tone (gold/brown) Vitus 888 frame.

Wheels and brakes were still Euro (Weinmann, Normandy and probably a Moto stamped Stronglight headset).

I'll repost with specifics.

This about a 77 Nomade is from memory:

Hi-Ten frame (2040?) in a nice metal flake blue paint with darker blue decals.

European drivetrain with steel Huret changers front and back and chromed Huret stem shifters (same year Mirages, 1 step up were using SunTour).

Chromed steel Rigida rims with chrome plated spokes, probably Normandy hubs.

Non-descript "mattress" saddle with plain chrome straight seatpost.

Moto badged center pull brakes, probably Weinmann though maybe DiaCompe copies.

I switched alot of that stuff out during the years I owned the bike but that's how I remember riding it home from Gary's Bike Shop in North Miami Beach back in 77.

:beer:

Blast from the past here, but I thought I'd add what little I know about my bike. It has almost no original parts, and has been repainted, no headbadge even.

Serial: 5998746
Color: gun metal gray
Decals: 70s?
Tubing stickers: "FOURREAUX Vitus 888" on the forks

The previous owner insists it is a Jubile Sport, says he bought it in 1980, and remembers it being a 1979 model, even though gun metal gray was not offered on the Jubile Sport in 1979. So basically I don't know what year it is.

http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q...to_at_home.jpg

You're making me feel guilty! My Motobecane has become more of an atrocity (by hardcore C&V standards)

It now is equipped with a carbon fork, threadless stem, a flip/flop hub, a single 105 brake, new wheels (all cheap stuff) etc. etc.

It makes a fine beater, though - which perhaps is spiritually close to it's humble origins :o

Motobécane Catalog: 1976

Motobécane Catalog: 1979

Motobécane Catalog: 1984

And I recently posted pics of my '76 Super Mirage here.

At least I know mine is a '77-'83 based on those catalogs and frame decals. :(

Heads up first time post...

I purchased a Motobecane Nomade I about 2 months ago at a "barn sale." I have no idea what year it is and neither does the gentleman I purchased it from. I was digging around on CL and found the same one, color, model, and size. Then garage sale hunting with my buddy we found another one which matched exactly. I was talking to my pops and he was telling me that in the 70's a car dealership for honda was giving away "Brand new Motobecane road bikes" when someone purchased a new civic. I can not find what year it is and browsed the catalogs with no luck. In fact the logos dont even come close. I guess the next step is to see if I can find the year this car dealer ship was doing this. Any info on the Nomade I and the years they were made would be helpful to me as well thanks guys.

Pictures help immensely in dating a ride.

I recently found an incomplete Motobecane Super Touring hence the reson I was looking at this old post. Is anyone still working on the Motobecane database mentioned in the opening post?

What did you want to know?

Where might the Mirage Sport fall in the lineup?
And was there a triathlon model?
I"m looking at two ads, one for a Mirage Sport and one for an "entry level triathlon model."
I'm in need of some education on this.