Motobecane Grand Record?
#1
my bike kills cars
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Motobecane Grand Record?
I'm looking to buy this bike. But the question is... is this actually a Grand Record, or is this a Super Sprint with a new decal stating Grand Record. The reason I ask is that the following is what "Classic Rendezvous" considers a Grand Record to look like:
https://www.classicrendezvous.com/Fra...Motob_moos.htm
And the first photo above looks a helluva lot like this Super Sprint:
#2
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I don't think its a Grand Record. The lugs, derailer cranks and chainring are not in keeping with the Moto GR. Here is a pic of mine.
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They're different vintages, so that accounts for some of the difference in appearance. However, the Grand Record had nervex lugs, as in the black bike, and the tan bike has plain lugs. Also, the Grand Record should be full 531, and Campy equipped, probably. I'm leaning against this being a Grand Record, unless the details indicate that it's a high-end ride.
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Originally Posted by cabaray
I don't think its a Grand Record. The lugs, derailer cranks and chainring are not in keeping with the Moto GR. Here is a pic of mine.
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You are all comparing apples to oranges. I can't say the one in the pic is a GR for certain as I cannot see the markings clearly. But I have seen GRs from the 80s that looked like this bike. By that time the GR was but a shadow of its former self. IIRC, Moto had gone to Vitus for their tubing by then.
#7
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Originally Posted by CV-6
"... I have seen GRs from the 80s that looked like this bike. By that time the GR was but a shadow of its former self. IIRC, Moto had gone to Vitus for their tubing by then."
Late 1978 catalog: Double butted Vitus 172 tubing,
Bocama lugs; Italian style sloping fork crown with Vitus fork blades; Belleri bars & stem; San Marco 'Competition' saddle;... and basically a full Shimano 600-EX component gruppo. Colors: "New Blue" or "Gunmetal Gray"
January 1981 Catalog: Essentially the same description... Color: "Oyster shell"
The real give-away on these later era bikes is the lack of seat post bands and bi-color paint - replaced here with the odd stripes on the lower tubing... [Reminds me of the gaudy, quirky, equally unattractive, stripe treatment Peugeot had sprayed on their frames in the early '80s.]
Guess this was the end of the classy G.R.s which had previously featured Nuovo Record derailleurs and French components... and the more attractive paint combinations and gold stencilling and subtle pin striping.
#8
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Originally Posted by tom987987
SWEET looking ride dude. What kinda tires you got on that Moto??
Ray
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so... would this questionable Grand Record be worth around $150?
//
And would it be worth half a damn to race on?
//
And would it be worth half a damn to race on?
#10
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Originally Posted by pragueinspring
so... would this questionable Grand Record be worth around $150?
//
And would it be worth half a damn to race on?
//
And would it be worth half a damn to race on?
#11
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Hmm... in deed. Then I may have to go after the Bianchi I've been eyeing as well. Thank you for your help
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I have a 1981 Motobecane Grand Record in my collection and the 1981 Motobecane Catalog. Oyster with brown decaling. Vitus 182 Tubing. Bocama Lugs with cut outs. Full Shimano 600 EX group. Belleri Stem and bar. Rigida red label rims. Not a bad rider although the Vitus tubing flexes a little. David in Marietta.
1974 Raleigh Professional
1981 Motobecane Team Champion
1979 Motobecane LeChampion
1981 Motobecane Grand Record
1975 Mondia Special
1982 Puch Force X-11
1973 Peugeot PX-10
1977 Trek 612
1973 Gitane Professional Tour de France
1974 Raleigh Professional
1981 Motobecane Team Champion
1979 Motobecane LeChampion
1981 Motobecane Grand Record
1975 Mondia Special
1982 Puch Force X-11
1973 Peugeot PX-10
1977 Trek 612
1973 Gitane Professional Tour de France
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Just dug my Oyster/brown Grand Record out of the garage after many years. Bought it new in 81 for about $500. As I recall I couldn't find anything a pound lighter without spending another $1k
You're right about the frame flexing, but I put thousands of miles on it and still have all the original componants. I just sprayed them with WD40 and hit the road. I was going to sell it, couldn't see myself following my 8 yo daughter up curbs and down alleys on it, but it rides great.
The GR my have been a shadow of their former glory by 81, but I shopped it when I bought it and it was by far the best bike for the money. Light, very nimble, the Shimano 600 parts never failed.
You're right about the frame flexing, but I put thousands of miles on it and still have all the original componants. I just sprayed them with WD40 and hit the road. I was going to sell it, couldn't see myself following my 8 yo daughter up curbs and down alleys on it, but it rides great.
The GR my have been a shadow of their former glory by 81, but I shopped it when I bought it and it was by far the best bike for the money. Light, very nimble, the Shimano 600 parts never failed.
#15
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
Could be an 80s GR but certainly not earlier.
$150 would be at the high end.
I always considered the GRs to be sport-tourers if not a road racer. 70s roadbike geometry especially for bikes modelled after stage racers had considerably more relaxed geometry than the "crit" style bikes that became popular a few years later.
$150 would be at the high end.
I always considered the GRs to be sport-tourers if not a road racer. 70s roadbike geometry especially for bikes modelled after stage racers had considerably more relaxed geometry than the "crit" style bikes that became popular a few years later.
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Originally Posted by pragueinspring
[img
[img
https://www.classicrendezvous.com/images/French/Motobecane/MotoJM2L.jpg[/img]
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GR tourer or racer?
I don't know how frame geomotry changed later, but when I bought my GR it was sold as a racing frame. It was very different than the touring frames of the time, more upright and responsive. Remember it was a little exciting to reach down to the shifter at speed the first couple of days.