Dating my Motobecane
 

So I've had this Motobecane Mirage as a daily rider for about a year now and I'd like to put a year on it... Maybe you guys can help!

Here's the specs:
-Huret Derailleurs (Luxe Super Touring on the Rear, Club on front)
-Nervar Crankset (French threaded pedals, not sure about the bottom bracket)
-Weinnman 610/Vainqueur Brakes
-Dia Compe Brake Levers (Not sure which)
-Color: Dark Green
-Badge: (Never seen it on another MB) says "Motobecane Pantin"
-Wheels: Rigida Superchrome 27s
-I don't believe the fork is original, so I wouldn't be surprised if any of the other parts have been changed out as well >.>

Thanks a Lot!
-Dan

And no, I don't ride with the seat that low =p

Circa 1972

+1.

Dating for a year and you still don't know her age!?!? Sheesh:innocent:

1972 sounds reasonable, the year the Huret Luxe Super Touring RD was introduced. Your front crank set looks identical to the crankset (another pic) on 1970 Dawes Galaxy, except I changed the small crank from 42 to 36 in 1972, which necessitated dumping the original Simplex Prestige. I also have same brakes, levers, and chromed rims!

My '72 Mirage had the Huret "Allvit" at the rear. (yes, I know this is an old thread :))

old mb bike
 

Hi All, I have come across a similar bike to this that someone is selling on CL - I checked it out yesterday and it rides pretty damn nice for being 40 years old. It this same obscure MB logo that is rarely seen, and it has the same long cage Huret Derailluer set, Rigida Rims, and Weinnman 610/Vainqueur Brakes with Red Pads. I really like to overall look of the bike and I am seriously considering buying it to clean it up and restore as much of it as possible. The guy is asking around $200 for it. Can anyone tell me the model and year accurately? Deal or no deal? Whaddya think?

[IMG]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7...15574f2cbf.jpg
MotobecanePantin_01 by bkempton, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7123/6...1c1cdc4ddf.jpg
MotobecanePantin_00 by bkempton, on Flickr[/IMG]

My first decent road bike was a '72 Mirage with Huret "Allvit" RD but the front forks were half-chromed as typical in the day. The color was a brilliant yellow. Your cranks look era as do the Rigida wheels. Do the wheels have the cheese-grate on the brake surfaces?

As for the price vs condition it's worth it for your personal collection but I'd avoid paying much more than 125.00 if you want to flip it for any kind of real profit due to the low-end/quality nature of the bike. That said, I have wonderful memories of riding the fogline as a high school kid the summers of 73-4.

thanks!
 

Hey OldsCool, thanks for the feedback!! So are you saying that you think this is the 72' Mirage model as well? The same that you once had? Yes! The wheels do have a sort of dimpled quality all around where the brakes would catch.

When you refer to the bikes quality as being 'low end' are you simply talking about the components here or the overall build and quality of this bike? I mean its obviously no Grand Touring model but it still boasts some good components and a great chrome frame, no?

I agree with you about the price thing though and that was why I was inquiring. I just love the idea of having a cool bike in good condition that is 40 years old and still ridable for my own collection :rolleyes:. I've got another MB 81 Super mirage in outstanding condition that I ride primarily this would be a project of sorts I suppose. Something about these classic MB bikes is just really cool. I guess 'Classic'in this sense is definitely an understatement.:)

BTW, how much did you pay for yours way back when? :thumb: