eschlwc

let's talk mb frames -- dimensions, stance, butting, all that. what are the differences in this model and the next lower model (the gr) and the next higher model (the tc/ct)? they're all 531. are they all db throughout? i assume the rear brake bridge is a little higher on the gr, right? were the champion models equipped with both 27" and 700c rims? i know the top tube on the gr is a bit longer (half inch?) in relation to its seat tube, whereas the champion models are probably the same size. what else?

rootboy 

Not sure on some of that, but the Champion Team/Team Champion model was built for 700c tubulars. Believe the Le Champion only came with sew ups too.

due ruote 

Not the later TCs. Mine is Columbus SL. I think there was a year they were 753.
[edit] checked the catalogs for the TC: 1976 (first year I checked), 531; 1977, 753; 1978 and after, Columbus SL

sailorbenjamin

Here's Dad's. Nice ride, he bought it new in '72;

SDRider

I had a Le Champion I bought used in the early 1980s, it was literally the first really nice bike I ever owned and I rode it all over upstate NY when I was in my teens. It was that Lilac color and around a 55cm frame and it did come with sew ups. I had that bike for over 10 years until some a$$hole stole it from me when I was living in Los Angeles in the early 90s. I'd love to have that bike back, I'd never sell it.

I picked up a silver Le Champion a few years ago on e-bay but it is too big for me. Rims were clinchers, which are wrong, and the brakes are also wrong for the bike but it has the Campy Nuovo Record crankset, shifters, and deraileurs. I still have the bike actually but I have disassembled the wheels. It is complete though and I'd love to trade it for one that fits me. I'm 5'11".

eschlwc

^ pretty. is that a 60cm? (too big for me too. drag.)

auchencrow

The LeChamp, Gr Record and TC all came with tubulars according to the catalog specs....

But it seems many a PO substituted clinchers somewhere along the line. (Eg, I have presently 5 bikes in my menagerie that originally came with tubulars - but only one of them (the LC) is still wearing them.)

dbakl

Got the wheels sorted this weekend: I'm going with clinchers...

Chicago Al 

1976 Catalog and later shows the GR with 27" clinchers...I hope to be able to comment on this with hands-on knowledge very soon!

SDRider

Yeah, I think the Le Champion and the Team Champion were the only models that came with sew-ups. Those were the two top of the line racing bikes from Motobecane in the 70s.

Chicago Al 

Auchen's '75 catalog link does show the GR with tubulars, Elvesia to be exact. I think that's the only change in 76, 27" clinchers (catalog doesn't say what make but likely Super Champions). Of course there's the catalog and then there are the actual bicycles.

kroozer 

I just bought this from Ray at my LBS, where it had been sitting around forever amongst a pile of stuff in a back room. Of course I don’t need it but I couldn’t resist. Includes the original HS, BB, cranks, pedals, and seat pin. It looks like crap but is structurally sound. It had the teal blue/white finish, so I figure it’s somewhere between a ‘70 and a ’73. I’m gonna make it shine in black & red! Once I get the stuck seat post out. By the way, does anybody know the seat post diameter for these?

Here's the link to my Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/4764636...7629900829179/

eschlwc made a comment about the relative dimensions, etc. of Motos. I also have a ’75 Grand Jubile and it’s interesting to compare the two. They have the same 58cm seat tube, but the LC has a really short 55cm top tube whereas the GJ’s is very stretched out-- closer to 58. The LC also has longer 43cm chainstays and a longer 101cm wheelbase, and just eyeballing it I’d say the angles are a bit more laid back too. This thing ought to ride like a Cadillac. I have almost everything I need to build it up, it will be fairly original except for clincher wheels and a French bar/stem combo.

I have been having a hell of a time trying to post images from Flickr, this really sucks. Anyway, the image is supposedly embedded in the jumbled mess you see below. I wish they'd straighten this out.



[IMG]<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/47646369@N05/6962035346/" title="DSC00961 by velototo, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/6962035346_02af19f46f_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC00961"></a>[/IMG]

auchencrow

That's going to be the most dramatic before and after shot I've seen in a long while kroozer! -(And one that even I won't rail about repainting.)
It looks like a lot of work, but you can be sure it's a very worthy project.

(As near as I can measure my seat post, it appears to be 26.4.)

eschlwc

hola, kroozer. you don't really mean your top tube is 3cm shorter than your 58cm seat tube when measuring both c-c, do you? if so, your lc is a lot more aggressive in stance than i would have thought. btw, my gr has a seatpost that is 26.6cm. they're fairly hard to find, though there's a short nr one on ebay i'm currently watching. good luck with your awesome project. i'd be tempted to paint it team champion orange!

dbakl

I believe mine is 26.4. cyclomondo has decals on ebay, but they're black.

kroozer 

Yes, the Le Champion's tt is a full 3cm shorter than the Grand Jubile's. I measured it several times and if I'm off it's not by much. I always do the seat tube measurement c-t and the top tube c-c. I didn't know a shorter tt made for more aggressive handling. I won't know how it rides until I'm completely done with the project.

I considered painting it orange and may yet do it. I've always wanted an orange racing bike, but for some reason they all seem to be really expensive (Molteni Merckx, Team Champion, etc.). Was there any difference between the LC and the TC frames? I also have a Windsor/Carabela Super Carrera with chromed lugs that I was planning on painting orange, á la Profesional. The black & red with gold trim was an original scheme for the early Le Champion's, and I think it is one of the most beautiful and elegant finishes ever. Hopefully someone will post one here.

I'm going to try to save the seat pin, but this is my first stuck post and I have no idea how it'll go.

dbakl

Mine measures 60cm, seat tube, 58 cm toptube, both ctc.

Ouch. Aluminum, steel and moisture form a battery of sorts and weld themselves together. I'd try soaking from both ends with something that can break that bond, or at least penetrating oil for some time before trying something more mechanical.

oldbikenewbike

Hmmmm....looks like my "1980" is slowly becoming closer to "1970". No matter. I still love it!

fred

due ruote 

^^
I think yours is either 75 or 76. WTGrantham @ post #11 says his is a '74 and the silver does indeed match the catalog picture. The only years I see for lilac are 75, 76 and 78 (I don't know about 79; that catalog isn't on the site I linked to earlier.) 78 isn't a match for your bike's graphics or components. Given that your RD is stamped 74 I think it's a logical guess that the bike is a 75.

JunkYardBike

You guys have some UGLY Le Champions! Here's mine, fresh off the bike stand:

oldbikenewbike

Same colors as the much cheaper Mirage and Super Mirage. I wonder why they did that back then?

Chicago Al 

Interested to see how much you are criticized for your brake levers, JYB...as I am contemplating something similar. And who cares if the bike shows wear and tear...it's been used, as it is supposed to have been.

auchencrow

I make it a policy never to criticize guys who put aero levers on vintage LeChamps, because typically they'll put some weird vodoo hex on you.

JunkYardBike

I think there's far more to gripe about than simply the levers. It's a virtual Where's-Waldo goldmine for the internet bike fashion police. Honestly, I just built the bike to try out the TA super compact double (46/32). The rest is a mishmash of available parts.

badger_biker 

I was fortunate to score a new Acorn bag so I thought I'd take the opportunity to post a fresh pic of my LC with it installed.