Charles Wahl

My first build in quite awhile (I'm very slow). Here's the Flickr set with several more photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1317574...7627318121517/



I bought this frame on eBay, to build my spouse a light-ish city bike. It's constructed of Vitus 172 tubing, and it's the lightest frame + fork combination I've ever owned. There's a down side to this story: see my set "Grand Jubilé seat tube problem" for the details.

All I got from seller was frame and fork, some miscellaneous worn bottom bracket parts (not matched) and ditto on headset parts. Being a late 70s Moto, it's got Swiss threading. Much of the build has revolved around French/Swiss threading issues. I bought a set of Stronglight Swiss cups, had a Stronglight 121 mm spindle. I wanted lower gearing, but the Stronglight 99 (86 BCD) crankset I have is threaded for French pedals. Luckily, a Sugino Mighty Tour (110 BCD) crank fits on the French spindle in about the right chainline location; so I used that, with 45 T and 34T rings. Derailers are a set of SunTour Cyclone Mk II that fit -- other front der's had too much business going on behind the seat tube to fit between tire/fender and tube, and the 28 T rear cog needs a derailer with more drop than some of the others I tried. Rear der hanger was bent, so had to deal with that as well.

Brakes are Mafac Competition, and barely reach the 700C rims, front and rear (whew!). Stem is a GB (English) that was somewhat under 22.2 diameter, so with some sanding and polishing, it fits in the French steerer. Headset is cobbled together from parts from a couple different headsets of questionable origin. I used Ergon grips (very comfortable, small size, which happen to be the same length as the large) Suntour XC shifters, Tektro RX1 brake levers on a Nitto Cro-moly B259 Urban Riser handlebar (client has a definite aversion to drop bars). Miraculously, it all fits on the bars, and they're not super-wide either.

Wheels were bought in one of Rocky Mountain Cyclery's auctions on eBay -- Shimano hubs and Sun CR18 rims for about $100 shipped. Rear came spaced for 130 cm, 8-speed, but I grafted on a 7-speed freehub body and 7-speed cassette to hold the OLD at 126. Tires are 35 mm Panaracer Paselas -- I think I overdid that a bit, since the Planet Bike fenders barely fit, with almost no clearance -- might end up changing to 33 or 30 cm tires to get a bit more, though the client likes the cushy ride. [Strangely enough, the Pasela 32 mm TG tires I have measure only 30 mm, while these 35 mm non-TG ones measure 36 mm, on rims of similar width. They're also not super "true" when mounted; maybe I can work on that.]

I really like the little red Avenir bag on a vinyl-covered steel "décaleur." it's quite light, carries enough for riding around, and if you take it off, there's no rack or any other hardware left.

fender1

Very nice work sir, very nice!

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

I dig the reversed shift levers. Is that something you've done on other bikes of yours?

Gary Fountain

Hi Charles Wahl,

Thanks for your very interesting story and even more interesting side story of the seat tube repair - truly brilliant. I think you have done a great job of giving the Motobécane a new purpose. It is a 'head turner' for discerning bike lovers .

lostarchitect 

It's a very handsome build. Congrats! The only thing I'd change is the bars. Have you considered VO porteur or belville bars?

randyjawa 

I bet the OP's Grand Jubileé is a treat to ride. My dump found Motobécane Grand Jubileé, of 1978 vintage, did not impress me first time I rode it. But that was quick to change. Today, I have a tough time leaving it at home when deciding which bike to use for what ever it is I am doing.

Though the red on black color combination is my all time favorite, the grey on silver is very elegant. The OP has a beautiful bike and nicely built up.

Charles Wahl

This is my first time with thumb shifters -- did I install them backwards? I figured it's typical to have the rear derailer shifter on the right, and I don't see any way to install it otherwise. But it is sort of strange that the lever comes back for higher gears, and goes forward for lower -- so maybe I've got it wrong. Anyone have a picture?

randyjawa 

I built up this Chiorda Mixte for a lady in San Diego, a short while ago, and this is how I installed the levers. I have been tucking these old thumb shifters away for a while now and I am finally starting to use them...

bigbossman 

You installed them properly, folks were just fooled because you crossed the cables behind the head tube. Usually the cables are routed on the same side as the shifter they are attached to are situated, as illustrated in randyjawa's post, above.

Chris W.

Beautiful Moto!!!
I like it A lot!

Thanks for sharing,
Chris

lostarchitect 

I personally dig the crossing cables.

mkeller234

Great looking bike! I'm glad it was able to be saved after that seat tube damage. You weren't kidding about the rear clearance, I just assumed these bikes were more like a Raleigh International with long chain stays.

I really do like that bag. Is it new production?

trekKiller

me too.

Charles Wahl

Oh, that -- the shifters are mounted close enough to the stem that I felt crossing would let the cables/housings wind up with a more natural curve when the wheel is turned. I've actually seen some MTBs or hybrids that have the housing stops on the underside of the down tube, and have the housings crossed on the underside. Topside just looked like it worked better to me.

Chain stays are 42.5 cm, and the (Suntour) dropouts are shortish, with adjuster screws that have deep heads and don't really allow for much adjustment. I bought the bag on eBay, and my hunch is that it is fairly old. This one seems very little used, and I have another (blue) that's a bit tattier, but it washed up well. They're nylon fabric, of course. Another red one (Cannondale) sold on eBay for $35 or so last week, so they're out there. I thought I'd hate the bungee cord hold-downs, but they're fine, and could be made somewhat more invisible (twine with a bowsie?)

Thanks for the kind comments, C&Vers!

photogravity

I'm really starting to hate hanging out in the C&V forums. So many sweet machines that I see. I frequently find that I'm walking around with my the front of my shirt wet from all the drooling I do looking at these machines. I guess I need to defect to a less drool inducing forum or get more work done.

Bianchigirll 

I love it! the idea of the crossed cable is very cool, it looks like it will really help keep the cables from rubbing the HT.