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Great to see the original receipt for that. These bikes didn't grow on trees. That's $2900 in today's dollars.
Last year was '81 I think, perhaps 1980. Motobecane went from very popular to bankrupt almost overnight. |
Mine is finally close to completion. I need to hook up brakes, add decals and dial everything in. The head tube had some gnarly scratches and had to be repainted. It's an automotive paint, mixed to match but the tone isn't quite right. I'll probably make another attempt at some point before I clear coat it.
http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/P1140144.jpg http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/P1140167.jpg http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/P1140165.jpg http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/P1140162.jpg |
7 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by mark_m
(Post 18556871)
I don't think I knew they made a Le Champ in that paint scheme - my favorite. Have been looking for a G.R. to get that paint job. Love it...
Here's a Bicycling Magazine 1973 review. I disagree with Richard Jow on a few points (we were all young and dumb back then): <-- Bicycling Magazine 10-1973 --> Motobecane Le Champion My 1972 black and red Le Champion - original eBay pictures: http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=510424 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=510425 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=510426 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=510427 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=510428 Le Champions were built with long point Prugnat S4 lugs; the forks and stays on the black and red 1972-73 frames were 1/2 chrome plated (maybe a Ben Lawee US market special order?). The Grand Record frames were the same except the rear stays were painted and they came with special Nervex lugs. 1972-73 was the height of the bike boom. European bike manufacturers were faced with chronic component shortages - les spécifications sont sujettes à modification sans préavis Here's a black and red Grand Record with Prugnat long point lugs instead of Nervex! http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=510429 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=510430 verktyg :50: Chas. |
3 Attachment(s)
did some changes after this pics. Completely satisfied as it is right now.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=510454http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=510455http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=510456 |
Le Champion
This bike was found in the garage of a house my mother bought in France 9 years ago, it is a 'Le Champion' but looking at the specs from 1977/78 (asuming it is from 77/78) catalouges the components do not match. The hubs are Normandy dated 12/77 , the crank is Spidel, Motobecane center pull brakes and derailluers Huret so all the components listed in the catalouge are higher spec campy components. The bike was assumably used for every day use hence the mudgaurds and rack but it did look like it had been parked up for many years and even had an old set of 20c clinchers on it. Could this be original as it stands? Or maybe the Spidel crank is a upgrade and the Motobecane brakes were used to clear the mudgaurds but still the rest of the components don't match the catalouge.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d4b821f612.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3cedf397d1.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3b70d8e100.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...48be76c01c.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cb87d62239.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5347e1ad62.jpg |
Originally Posted by Miloburnz
(Post 20769509)
This bike was found in the garage of a house my mother bought in France 9 years ago, it is a 'Le Champion' but looking at the specs from 1977/78 (asuming it is from 77/78) catalouges the components do not match. The hubs are Normandy dated 12/77 , the crank is Spidel, Motobecane center pull brakes and derailluers Huret so all the components listed in the catalouge are higher spec campy components. The bike was assumably used for every day use hence the mudgaurds and rack but it did look like it had been parked up for many years and even had an old set of 20c clinchers on it. Could this be original as it stands? Or maybe the Spidel crank is a upgrade and the Motobecane brakes were used to clear the mudgaurds but still the rest of the components don't match the catalouge.
It looks like somebody stripped off the Campagnolo parts at some point. They were probably put on a different racing frame, and then this bike was rebuilt and sold as a sport/touring sort of bike. It used to happen all the time. If you're not a racer, this isn't necessarily a terrible thing, especially at the price you paid. ;) The Spidel crank is frankly probably a better choice for an average rider than a 42/52 campy racing crank. So that's a crossgrade. Likewise, the Weinmann/Motobecane centerpulls are arguably better for general use bike. Those Huret derailleurs are bit cheap and rugged, but they are functional. It's also possible it was bought new, and the buyer had the shop swap some parts to convert it into a tourer. We did that sort of thing pretty often when I was a mechanic. Also, 77 was the last year for clip on top tube cables, making this more a 77 at the latest. I'd clean it up, do some general maintenance, put some nice tires and brake pads on there, and enjoy. |
Yes, the components on that bike were downgraded, but bear in mind that this does not worsen the ride. Get it working again and enjoy it.
|
Graphically, that looks earlier than stated, and based on the Bulgier scans it looks like a match for 1974. Nice find either way. http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/catalog...e_Champion.jpg |
Originally Posted by due ruote
(Post 20769878)
Graphically, that looks earlier than stated, and based on the Bulgier scans it looks like a match for 1974. Nice find either way. http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/catalog...e_Champion.jpg FYI, that's a Spidel branded Stronglight 99 bis crankset. 86 BCD. It's a very good choice for a touring/recreational bike, as it can be set up with lower gearing like a modern crank. For that matter it can be set up triple. Only hassle is that they need the proprietary 23.35mm Stronglight crank remover. (unless the Spidel version is different - I doubt it) |
I don't have the frame anymore but this was my first "gravel" bike. It went through a few iterations. A great bike.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Bik...MG_0096-XL.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Bik...MG_0257-XL.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Bik...MG_1099-XL.jpg This one was another victim of my downsizing binge a few years ago. https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Bik...MG_0411-XL.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Bik...MG_0414-XL.jpg Brent |
1972 Le Champion
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2d5dcf2c3.jpegMy 1972 Le Champion. I have the original fork and the Campagnolo derailleurs it came with. The previous owner had it set up with an ultra wide range 11speed cluster and triple crank as well as modern brake levers. |
^ I love the wide gearing, but will be replacing the existing fork with the original one, swapping in a quill stem and a set of Universal 68 sidepulls to bring this one back a little closer to stock. Can anyone tell me if the original Campy front derailleur can handle this triple ? |
Originally Posted by orcas island
(Post 20770508)
^ I love the wide gearing, but will be replacing the existing fork with the original one, swapping in a quill stem and a set of Universal 68 sidepulls to bring this one back a little closer to stock. Can anyone tell me if the original Campy front derailleur can handle this triple ? See the top picture in my post above yours. Nuovo Record front derr. with a TA crankset that appears to have very similar gearing to your Nervar. Not brilliant shifting, but it worked. Brent |
Ahh! Thanks Brent; I hadn’t notice that in your photo |
Originally Posted by Salamandrine
(Post 20769584)
I'm fairly certain it's not original. Euro spec Motobecanes could be slightly different from the ones built for North America, but not that different. Looks like it has campy dropouts. You should be able to read "Campagnolo" on the dropouts. That's a giveaway that it's a real Le Champion and not just a sticker on a cheaper bike.
It looks like somebody stripped off the Campagnolo parts at some point. They were probably put on a different racing frame, and then this bike was rebuilt and sold as a sport/touring sort of bike. It used to happen all the time. If you're not a racer, this isn't necessarily a terrible thing, especially at the price you paid. ;) The Spidel crank is frankly probably a better choice for an average rider than a 42/52 campy racing crank. So that's a crossgrade. Likewise, the Weinmann/Motobecane centerpulls are arguably better for general use bike. Those Huret derailleurs are bit cheap and rugged, but they are functional. It's also possible it was bought new, and the buyer had the shop swap some parts to convert it into a tourer. We did that sort of thing pretty often when I was a mechanic. Also, 77 was the last year for clip on top tube cables, making this more a 77 at the latest. I'd clean it up, do some general maintenance, put some nice tires and brake pads on there, and enjoy. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f6eee74b26.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ab3851b89d.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f7aa8d1551.jpg |
Originally Posted by Salamandrine
(Post 20769584)
I'm fairly certain it's not original. Euro spec Motobecanes could be slightly different from the ones built for North America, but not that different. Looks like it has campy dropouts. You should be able to read "Campagnolo" on the dropouts. That's a giveaway that it's a real Le Champion and not just a sticker on a cheaper bike.
It looks like somebody stripped off the Campagnolo parts at some point. They were probably put on a different racing frame, and then this bike was rebuilt and sold as a sport/touring sort of bike. It used to happen all the time. If you're not a racer, this isn't necessarily a terrible thing, especially at the price you paid. ;) The Spidel crank is frankly probably a better choice for an average rider than a 42/52 campy racing crank. So that's a crossgrade. Likewise, the Weinmann/Motobecane centerpulls are arguably better for general use bike. Those Huret derailleurs are bit cheap and rugged, but they are functional. It's also possible it was bought new, and the buyer had the shop swap some parts to convert it into a tourer. We did that sort of thing pretty often when I was a mechanic. Also, 77 was the last year for clip on top tube cables, making this more a 77 at the latest. I'd clean it up, do some general maintenance, put some nice tires and brake pads on there, and enjoy. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d150a6ba3d.jpg |
Here’s a nice one available in Dallas
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Originally Posted by Miloburnz
(Post 20777723)
Found it! Looks like it is a 1977/78 TR2 training bike , even has the same drilled crankset so i guess someone swapped the decals for Champion ones
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d150a6ba3d.jpg |
Originally Posted by obuckler
(Post 20777763)
|
Sunday I checked out this sad bike I saw on OfferUp.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...aabae0b136.jpg I thought I could see Bertin-like stay caps in the photos. But upon examining the actual bike I saw a familiar headbadge outline... https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d4d07f204f.jpg and Campagnolo dropouts, Prugnat lugs, metric tubing and stay leaf treatment typical of a nicer Motobecane. The only parts that would be original to a Le Champion are the crankset remnants (it's a fixie), BB and headset. It's obviously been repainted but some original blue and white peeks thru here and there. Based on rigor mortise of chain and headset it has not been ridden in a very long time. So what course to follow with such a very rough diamond? |
Can anyone who has/had an original equipement '75 Motobecane Le Champion confirm which style of Philippe Professional handlebars came on it?
This one with the logo and then Professional written out https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...02aac1bc74.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...06d6f03ad4.jpg or this one that just has Philippe Professional written out one on top of the other with no logo https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b3c3a521b0.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6117eadb11.jpg Thanks for any help! |
Originally Posted by Insidious C.
(Post 20812247)
Sunday I checked out this sad bike I saw on OfferUp.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...aabae0b136.jpg I thought I could see Bertin-like stay caps in the photos. But upon examining the actual bike I saw a familiar headbadge outline... https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d4d07f204f.jpg and Campagnolo dropouts, Prugnat lugs, metric tubing and stay leaf treatment typical of a nicer Motobecane. The only parts that would be original to a Le Champion are the crankset remnants (it's a fixie), BB and headset. It's obviously been repainted but some original blue and white peeks thru here and there. Based on rigor mortise of chain and headset it has not been ridden in a very long time. So what course to follow with such a very rough diamond? |
Originally Posted by due ruote
(Post 20819565)
Great save. Anything from fixed gear to resto to modern; depends on your needs and budget.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f0b38cbc9c.jpg |
Originally Posted by Insidious C.
(Post 20819762)
Thank you. Today I used some acetone to reveal a little of the original colors, which are teal (hard to see in pic) and white like the examples above. It's rough, with patches of missing color coat and some rust. But salvagable. Another ward of Insidious C's Home for Mis-treated French Bicycles.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f0b38cbc9c.jpg |
My Step Dad's Le Champion. I think it's a 78'. I did a complete breakdown and overhaul on it a couple of years ago. I rode it a few times, really nice bike.
It has Mavic GP4 tubulars on it now, but I'll be building up a nice set of clinchers for it this year. I was thinking about getting some Campy hubs for it. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f00f2993a3.jpg |
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