Schwinn or Motobecane
 

Please help me decide which to rebuild: I have a circa 1982 Schwinn Traveler and a mid 1970s Motobecane Grand Touring. Both bikes fit me equally well (frames seem to be exactly the same size). I have no illusions about the greatness of either of these bikes, but am doing this mostly so I can teach myself how to work on bikes before working on something really delicate. I want a bike I can take with my family that is more durable than my racing bike. So, which should I rebuild??

Both bikes have been ridden a fair amount – the Schwinn has more wear, though. I also have a bunch of parts in decent shape from a 1987 Trek Elance which I plan to use to replace some problem areas (e.g., the Schwinn needs new chain rings). The Schwinn also needs a new fork – I will use the interchangeable one from the Motobecane if I go that route.

Go with the Schwinn--You'll have either a hard time finding French/Swiss parts for the Motobecane if they're needed. Also, keep in mind the fork is only interchangable if the head tubes of both bikes are the same height. Plus, the headset on the 'becane is probably French threaded, so you're back to availibility problems... Take the frame & fork (together assembled is definitely preferred) to a lbs and see if they can straighten it or they have a replacement. A chrome hi-ten replacement fork shouldn't cost more than $25.

Thanks. The head tubes are (miraculously) the same height. I'll have to check on the threading. I checked on a new fork a few years back, but my LBS wanted $60 -- a quote which led me to upgrade to a new bike.

I doubt that these parts are interchangeable. Old Motos used a different diameter of steerer tubes, and often used swiss-threaded bottom brackets. Most of the parts for old Motos will be fairly expensive, unless you can find them used in good shape.

The French stuff on the moto can be hard to find. I've got the parts lying about, but I don't think I'd use them on a Grand Touring, which is a nice beater, but hardly world-class. I agree, go with the schwinn. Replacement forks can be found a lot cheaper than sixty bucks on ebay-- you just want one that's english threaded with a long enough steerer tube. If you're looking at an older fork, be aware that some older forks use a JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) fork crown race, which at 27.0 mm can be (very) hard to find. Look for a 26.4 mm fork crown race. If in doubt, ask-- many ebay sellers are blissfully unaware of this little sizing problem. Don't buy anything with a JIS fork crown race.

The 'becane fork should work, provided that the steerer lenght is correct and the headset, stem & bars are transferred as well. But the weak spot is the HS, if it's bad you've a done a lot of work for nothing; why bother even trying to find out? $60 is about right--for a chromoly fork. Shop around.

Restore the Schwinn. As mentioned before, Motobecanes used a different threading on everything, not just the headset, but the BB and rear hub as well. You can use inexpensive parts in the Schwinn that are easy to find and are durable.

Rear hubs on US sold motos are usually British threaded, so if you need a new rear hub/wheel on the Schwinn, the one off the moto will work as a replacement. The spacing may be different, but probably not different enough to matter. It can also be fixed by adding a couple of spacers to the non-drive side and re-dishing the wheel. But as is generally agreed, don't use the moto fork on the schwinn because the threading is definitely different.

Thanks, all, for the advice. I took both forks apart last night and the Moto fork definitely "appears" to fit fine on the Schwinn. I didn't grease it up and make sure it would be tight, but the threads actually were fine, even w/ the Schwinn locknut (term?) Based on your advice, I'm definitely going to go the Schwinn route. The bottom bracket scares me anyway, so I certainly don't need the added trouble you folks have pointed out. As to the fork, I'll try the Moto and, if it doesn' t work, no big deal, as Ebay is just a click away.

It's possible the moto was converted to an English-threaded fork at some point, which would be a nice stroke of luck for you. I've had to do just that to my PFN10E, which has an eighties Raleigh Reynolds 531 fork on it. If the fork has been changed over, goodbye to you incompatibility problems. However, if that's the case, I'd consider fixing up the moto-- the only problem spot is the bottom bracket, and I've found if you keep those maintained, they wear well and long. In addition, if the BB is shot, YST makes a threadless bottom bracket for about 17 bucks you should be able to cram into the moto's bb shell no problem.

I'm sure this was the original fork -- did they maybe produce these differently for the American mkt? Before I do anything, I think I will grease up the moto fork for the Schwinn, make sure it really does fit nice and tight (as I suspect the tolerances are pretty slim), then maybe take apart the BB as well to see what i need to do w/ it. That way, at least I won't have paiinted the whole thing, etc., b/f I find out what I'm in for.

i say go with the motobecane! they're much cooler. i have a motobecane super mirage that i converted to a singlespeed using most of the original parts. i only switched the bars and brake levers. the headset, hubs and BB all are in 'good enough' condition. its hella cool! maybe ill take a picture of it someday and post it.

the only problem with it i have is that the pedal bearings are pretty loose. they are an old pair of malliard pedals. my problem is at the end of the pedal where theres usually a removable cap, its sealed really tightly without any notches or anything. it looks pressed in. i dont know how to remove it to get to the cone and locknut.....does anyone know if there is a way to service these pedals?

Nah, they didn't produce the forks any different for the US market that I'm aware of (where the heck is Walter? He knows more about motos than I do). French forks are threaded differently and have a slightly larger fork race than the standard British sizing. It's also possible the bike dates later than you think-- sometime in the early to mid eighties, the French manufacturers started using British threading, and in some cases JIS.

Yes, those maillard pedals suck mightily for overhauling, if they're the models I'm thinking of. If you wanna stick with old school quill pedals, you might try changing over to a SR-150 or something like that; they can be found relatively cheap on ebay. Much easier to get at the bearings for an overhaul.

If you're removing the BB, don't take off the fixed cup unless you need to. Just peek inside the shell and see if it looks good.

Pog, you are amazing! Do you have the entire history of French bikes memorized? My moto has a bike license sticker on it which expired in 1978, leading me to estimate the date around then. It belonged to a friend of mine who left it w/ me when she headed off to Europe. I suspect that I have misgaged the tolerances and when I really put it together this weekend I fear that the fork really won't match as well as it appears to.

Why not fix both up? I have to agree that some Moto's have real class so I would begin there. I have a candy red Grand Jubile with Nervex lugs and a late model Grand Tour that's in near new condition. If the paint & decals are in good shape and there are good mechanicals, you could have years of riding pleasure without a problem. Don

Thanks, Ollo. I also found a Motobecane Grand Touring model that's in sweet shape, rides beautifully! I'll be glad to ride it as long as it lets me.

P.S.

My first new bike purchase was a Schwinn Traveler in 1980 at age 20. I loved that bike and it was my first bike to get me back into cycling at 35-ish after letting it hang in the garage for ages. When I got a new bike, I gave it to a friend (a real love gift.) I miss her very much, now, mostly for memories' sake.

I recently picked up a Motobecane Grand Touring bike from the early 80's which rides like a dream. It's hard to compare the two, but for rides' sake, I love the Moto. In fact, I've fallen in love with her. The only drawback I can see is what I hear about parts replacements.

I hate to do this to an old love (never compare loves,) but I love the Motobecane more than my old Schwinn...

:cry:

Congratulations. I agree about how they ride, hard to describe but very smooth & quick handling. I have 3 touring bikes: A Centurion Pro Tour 15, the Moto and a 1984 Specialized Expedition. The Centurion is a real workhorse, solid & very reliable. Stable on descents & it can really carry a load. The Specialized is in a class by itself, very high quality components & finish, 40 spoke wheels & Matthauser brakes. The Motobecane is somewhere in between, but very French & lots of soul. Don

Here is my 1983 Motobecane Grand Touring - 63.5cm

More pictures and the 1984 cataloge page can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9765217...7622453592136/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2599/...3116e263_b.jpg

Very nice!

Tip: It's much better to start a new thread about your bike than to resurrect one from five years ago.