So I came into a '99 Bianchi Eros with a Campy Mirage groupo (I'm a Campy virgin), but the frame is too big. I found a Moto locally that appears to be my size and I am thinking about combining the two as a nice (albeit odd) little tourer.

So opinions on the idea aside, will this work?. I realize the rear will need to be spread, but are there other issues? Will the cranks fit? Will I need to swap the bb and will the French threads be an issue if so?

I'm not sure if the moto has 700 tires or not so that is something to consider. Any thoughts?

Depends on which Motobecane but you're likely to experience threading differences. What year and model Moto?

You have pretty much nailed everything you will need to consider:

- If the BB is French threaded, you might need a new BB since the Campy crank will require ISO taper spindle.
- Will brakes reach if Moto was designed for 27" wheels? I don't know...
- Spreading the stays won't be an issue.

Also consider - The Mirage/Avanti brakes will use recessed nut mounting, is the Moto drilled for recessed nut brakes? You mentioned it will be "a nice little tourer", does the Moto use cantilever brakes?

Other than that, I'm all for upgrading to modern(ish) Campy!

You can run your current crank with the Mirage.

I'm running 10s on a Sugino 6s triple.

If the Moto has 27" you will have to lower the brake pads about 4 mm to run 700's. If french thread on the BB you will not be able to use that Campy BB, but you MIGHT be able to swap it for a Campy that has French threads if you can find someone who has french that needs Italian threads. I don't know if a LBS can change the BB threads with a tap or not, might be worth asking them.

bike4life - I'm not worried about using the Campy BB, but I would like to use the Campy cranks and chainrings and I'm not sure if one will work with the other.

4Rings - Great point on the recessed bolt on the brakes. I think the Moto has centerpull brakes, but it probably isn't made for the recessed bolt. I'm wondering if I could use the bolts holding the brakes currently on the Moto with the Campy brakes I'd like to install.

Uh - the more I think about it, the more I realize that I won't know any of these answers unless I buy the Moto and try it out. Maybe I'll wait for another frame, I really don't want the Moto if this conversion won't work. I really like the frame, but I'm not interested in much else on the bike and I haven't bought it because I don't want to deal with all of the French "intricacies" as I'm replacing everything.

My answers in bold

I would agree. depending on the age of the Moto this may get pricy. Finding a Campi french thread BB for those cranks may require going to a Phil or similar pricey BB.

Then as pointed out the brakes, and wheels will be an issue.

Regarding the spindle/isn't a french sq taper ISO as well?

Sell the bianchi as a complete bike and just buy a complete bike that fits you.
You wont get campy street cred with mirage, anyway.

Where there's a will, there's a way. If it's decent Moto with nice Reynolds 531 like Grand Record or Le Champion then I'd put the effort into doing the swap and the needed parts to convert it. You could run Tektro long reach calipers. What about running the cups that are in it and then picking up the correct length spindle for the Mirages cranks? I don't mess around with loose ball bb's or square taper spindles anymore. YOu could run one of the Velo Orange threadless bb's. Just depends how anal you are about using a JIS spindle with Campy arms. It'll work but technically your not supposed to. I say fooey!

This was what I was thinking originally, though I'm not familiar with this "cred" you are referring to.

Here's the thing - not only am I a Campy virgin, but I am a complete brifter virgin as well. I could care less about Campy v Shimano v Suntour etc. but these ergo brifters are SWEET and I only ever consider buying older bikes (I happened upon this Bianchi by chance and didn't pay a dime for it). With that in mind, I know if I sell these I may very well ride off into the sunset rocking the DT or succumb to those hideous STI things I see protruding from many-a-handlebar just to give it a try. I figure I already have this "high-tech" gear (it's all relative ) that I like, I might as well keep it and try to use it. And there is no chance I'm putting this crap on my 110!!

If the Eros is in good shape, you should be able to ebay the frame for close to 2 bills. I recommend looking for a different frame that would be easier to move the campy to (not French) and then go for it.