laurenoe

Joined the forum not too long ago, when I took on my deceased father's bike restoration project (video almost done).
It been a very interesting journey finding all that I could about "Dynamax". It seems the head badge that I took off my father's bike represents the earliest "Dynamax" bikes that showed up in Canada.


This is the headbadge from my father's bike. I have never seen another like it. Its metal, and has raised letters and relief


I could never positively identify the bike/frame, but the details point to a version of the "Motoconfort". Yeah, the bike has been a mystery, and the "restoration" was impossible because of that.
It had a French bottom bracket and certain frame details that I'm sure some folks here would recognize immediately.
When my newbie status changes, and I can post images, I will.
Its been a cathartic journey to honor my father.
I learned so much doing this project.
Now I am hooked on vintage French bikes...I think I might do another "restoration" for myself after I finish Dad's.

Lauren

jdawginsc 

Would definitely love to see the projects!

laurenoe

I've got some images over in my album...don't want to post them here because they will be huge.

Lauren

T-Mar

Link to OP's album: https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/548220

That does not look like one the original, early 1950s Dynamx models to me. It looks more like a 1970s frame. If it's a true "restoration" with original components, then it;s more like very late 1970s and possibly even very early 1980s. Serial number?

non-fixie 

The pictures in the album are really impressive. But can we get a picture of the entire bike? Please? Pretty please?

jdawginsc 

Huge would be fine!

Did you paint that yourself, Lauren?

laurenoe

No, I had it powder-coated in a blue that homages to my father's 1967 Camaro...and it looks appropriate with all the chrome.
The story is a sad one, but the bicycle "restoration" has been cathartic and beautiful.
I have a few more shots to do before I release the video.

L.

laurenoe

Yeah, now it doesn't look like a 1950's Dynamax, but look closely at the rear cable guide for the derailleur its slightly longer as is the one under the top-tube.
I don't see that on ANY Motobecanes,
There is also an "M" in the fork tube, and they used a chromed fork crown cover.
I was not able to find any images of a 1950's Dynamax so if you've got them, I'd love to see them!

laurenoe

I have a few more shots to do before I release the video.
I think this weekend I will do the full on "glamour" shots, and hopefully finish the video.
I might make another less emotional video to explain how and what was available to me to "Restore".
I totally get that I have not "Restored" the bike, but what do you call it when it was a garage sale bike your Dad got 40 years ago?
It was never known exactly what model it was etc.
Anyone that can tell me exactly what it is - via my photo album - would be appreciated.

L.

noobinsf 

The bike pictured at this website looks older than yours, but the bottom head tube lug definitely has the "M" you refer to, and the headbadge shares many details: https://www.thespoken.cc/motoconfort-around-towner

It's no help to identify the model of your father's bike, but it's easy on the eyes nevertheless. I love the blue you chose for the powder coat. Looking forward to seeing more pics, and thank you for sharing!

laurenoe

Exactly!!!! This is what happened to me when I sleuthed around.
I can't find the exact bike anywhere online.

Its a mystery. The headbadge vintage, as it looks like other Motobecane vintage bikes, definitely points to the 1950's

The things that make it weird are the cable guides and the "M" in the headtube and that old school headbadge. I put more pictures in my photo album.
Not sure if the color of the original bike was white or gold, based on what we saw before we painted it.

I'm thinking this was one of the first Dynamax bikes sent to Canada.

L.

T-Mar

Here are a couple of photos of a Dynamx exhibiting the same characteristics as your bicycle. The Huret Allvit rear derailleur with the parallelogram cover puts it into the 1960s while the shift levers with the D-rings place it no earlier that mid-1960s.

Also, your new photos show an EDA BB shell with the newer style logo. I don't know exactly when the change took place but it's different than that seen on Louison Bobet bicycle whch we know are no earlier than late 1950s.

Finally, the head badge style is different than that shown in mid-1950s Dynamax advertisements.

laurenoe

Yep, I've seen these "Tour De France" images, and they are pretty close...except for paint and the headbadge.
I also had mis-matched Normandy hubs that were on the bike, so I don't feel confident bringing them into the discussion.
I have a round hole hub for the front, and an oval hole one for the rear - which I did not use in the "restoration" but maybe when I rebuild the wheels.
It appears this Tour de France has the round holes too, so it gets closer to the mystery...but...
We didn't find any green paint. Was it possible the Tour De France came in different colors, and something earlier as a model?
Is there a gap from the late 1950's to where they used my era headbadge, to this simpler one?

We seem to be getting close to around late 50's early 60's?

L.

oneclick 

Based on my research, Dynamax was a brand/company established sometime in the 50s in the Beauce by Motobecane to sell bicycles and mopeds (and possibly other products). The reason for badging Motobecanes as Dynamax wasn't obvious, but it would seem reasonable that the rights to Canadian - or NA? - use of the brand had been assigned to someone else who wasn't making use of it.

The Dynamax I fixed up recently was identical in every respect except paint and decals to a Motobecane of the same year:

Dynamax Concorde - a Grand Record in all but name

T-Mar

Dynamax was located in the Ville St. Michel district of Montréal and was founded in 1943 by Henri Gérin-Lajoie, Charles Gelinas and Cecil MacNaughten. Originally, the company had a very broad manufacturing mandate but it did not include bicycles. The involvement in bicycles appears to have come out of contract manufacturing of bicycle frames and forks for other companies. The earliest evidence of a Dynamax bicycle that I've found, dates to 1952. They became a subsidiary of Motobécane-Motoconfort shortly afterwards, This may have taken place in late 1952 when there was an additional $200,000 stock offering, which would have allowed the French company to gain controlling interest. The company was officially dissolved in October 1959, with Motobécane retaining brand rights.

The company's height of popularity (or at least promotion) occurred during 1953-1954, when they sponsored a racing club/team and several competitions. At that time they employed 50 people who were manufacturing 90 bicycles and 15-20 Mobylette mopeds per day, in the 10,000 sq. ft. workshop. There was alo a Dynaflash light motorcycle. In addition to Dynamax, bicycles were also marketed under the Dynascout and Dynaclub brands.

laurenoe

So the Dynamax bikes that came after 1959...they were Motobecanes? So with my older headbadge, that looks like old Motobecane/Motoconfort, and with frame details...are we talking 1959, maybe 1960?

L.

laurenoe

Ok...here is...Triebercohnah.

T-Mar

You can find Motobecane product with those frame details that cover about a decade. Unfortunately the repaint and rebuild have eliminated all the other clues that would help to narrow down the year.

laurenoe

Sadly...that was never an option since Dad bought the bike at a garage sale, and was already repainted and had mis-matched components.
I guess I did all that I could to make it right.
I guess it is fitting we will never know the true "Pedigree".
Kinda like life.


L.

laurenoe

Goodbye Dad.

Triebercohnah

clubman 

A wonderful tribute, beautifully restored and tastefully documented.

Bravo.

laurenoe

Thank you.

Lauren