Roypercy

Hey all:

Just wanted to share. I just finished replacing the handlebars, brake levers, cables and housing on my 1982 Motobecane Grand Jubile. I'm pretty pleased with the results!

Here is a pic of the bike we I got it, from CL last fall:



At the time, it had Motobecane-branded handlebars with the Hetchins rubber-like wraps - which I like, but the original owner had had the stem replaced with a short-reach model (about 50mm) when he bought it, and it was just too short for me. I tried several times to remove the handlebar wraps so I could preserve them, but after 30 years they were just too fused to the handlebars.

I had a new rear wheel built up on the original Normandy hub, got the spoke protector removed, and replaced the black-anodized Ambrosio front wheel. Everything else is stock, and works great.

So, I found a 100mm SR stem with proper 22mm insertion, a pair of Belleri randonneur bars that cleaned up very well, and a pair of early Shimano 600 brake levers - 'cause I like their look and heft compared to the original Weinmann levers.I hadn't planned on putting a white saddle on the bike, but I found a NOS white Rolls at a LBS for 30 bucks and couldn't say no. So I got white Fizik Microtex wrap, a Jagwire brake cable kit, and went to town. I decided on gray cable housing rather than white or the original blue, in case I want to switch to a black saddle down the road.

My handlebar-wrapping skills leave something to be desired, the last time I wrapped a pair of handlebars I was using old-school, very thin vinyl wrap, and the Microtex was awfully thick in comparison, although I know it's nothing compared to cork. Nonetheless, I think it turned out pretty good! And the white saddle and handlebars kind of take your eye away from the paint, which is a little, shall we say, "patina'd".

What do y'all think?

illwafer

very nice.

horatio 

Lovely. I really like the metallic blue and silver combination. The white accents really make it stand out.

auchencrow

Very nice Horatio. I love the Rando bars on it too.

(And at the risk of being burned at the stake for Moto-heresy, I'll confess I've never been a big fan of the rubber-wrap bars.)

Chris_in_Miami

Looks great, and you scored on that Rolls also! Which tires are those?

Roypercy

Just cheap Kendas, 27 x 1 1/8. But for city riding, I like them pretty well! This summer I'll probably switch to Panaracers, to see what all the fuss is about.

rootboy 

Looks nice. Color combo reminiscent of the old Raleigh Pro.

mparker326

Put the flick stand back on it! I love those things.

Nice job on the makeover.

eschlwc

pretty bike. love! the white tape and gum hoods. vo brown leather bits sewn on the clips often bring out more of the complimentary color. the rear brake housing looks a bit long. all black tires often look great with light colored frames. probably rid the pedal/front reflectors and use flashing lights on my bag and/or use a removable bar light, but it's not my bike (but i wish it were).

Roypercy

Thanks for the suggestions! I do like those VO leather clip things...

Yeah, I think the rear brake housing is a bit long, too. I actually made it the same length as the original that was on there, thinking with a longer stem it'd be right; but when I feel brave I'll probably take it apart and shorten the housing a bit more.

Thanks for the kind words, all!

Chombi

Like the transformation from a dark looking bike to something nice and bright with the color shoices on the saddle, bar tape and especially the lighter color sidewall skinwall tires! The changes certainly gives the bike a brighter, classic personality.
The white Rolls saddle really tops off your re-build nicely.
Holy cow!.......30 bucks for an NOS Rolls saddle??! Did you remember to buy a lotto ticket that day too??!
Although I'm not a fan of Fizik's Microtex covering because of the kind of rubberry
feel to it and I think just too many holes on it. I'm glad you chose a white one to at least match the Rolls saddle.

Chombi

juls

With the bar wrap/saddle AND tire change-you've really transformed this into a beauty! Great job!

suncake

Wow, great job! The color scheme couldn't be any better. Not to mention my favorite colors for the GJ.

What are the wheels you ended up with (rear rim, front hub/rim)?

Roypercy

Thanks, Suncake! Glad you like it.

The rear wheel is a Sun CR18 rim built around the original Normandy high-flange hub. When I got the bike the front wheel was toasted, so I bought a cheap and quick pre-made wheel off Ebay (it was labeled "Wolber Super Champion", but it's clearly got nothing to do with the classic Wolbers) with a generic sealed hub.

The Sun rim has a beautiful, polished finish, and has a similar look and feel as the Rigida rim that was on there originally. The "Wolber" is just ok, has a matte finish and is wider than I'd like. One of my summer projects is going to be to get a Normandy front hub, a Sun CR18 rim, and try my hand at building a new front wheel.

Cheers!

Roy

qcpmsame 

My wife and I had a matched pair of this wonderful bicycle. I regret to this day selling them both. Yours looks really nice. Well done, sir.

Bill

Roypercy

Thanks, Bill. A few weeks ago I JUST missed picking up the exact mate to mine (mixte version) on CL for my wife; would have been really great to have the matched set!

YoKev

wow, a night and day difference! Nicely done!

suncake

If you don't plan on touring on it, you might consider the less bulky polished Sun M13ii's ($25). I'm in the same boat as you building up some Normandy hubs.

auchencrow

+1

The M13 really seems like the more appropriate choice for a GJ. (I think a lot of folks just don't know this option is available).

Roypercy

D'oh! I should have looked before I spoke. Turns out the rear rim is a Sun M13II; no wonder it works so good! Guess I had been looking at CR18's before I had the wheel built, just had that number in my head.