There was recently a good thread on Motobecane Team Champions. Would you folks like to post pictures of your Motobecane Le Champions? I'd love to see them, if so.
Wish I had one to start off with, but I don't. My intent is to enjoy them here vicariously.

Still in the works...

You're just driving yourself crazy.

BF member Stronglight has a really fine early one on his Flickr page (same name).

^^ https://www.flickr.com/photos/strongl...7604489762935/

Hi Rootboy

On a previous post about Le Champions (where you saw my bike), you asked about a serial number. Well, as clear as I can make it out, it looks like P2 above B7. Inside the crank arm it reads STRADA.

The original owner had told me he bought it new in 1980, but you figured more like the early to mid 70's because of the Campagnolo equipment models. Hope this helps to figure out its real birth year!

fred

The bike in the previous post looks like mid-70's to me. The early ones were like Stronglight's example. I'd guess yours is from 75 or 76. Possibly 74 but the catalog doesn't state the color and it's hard to tell from the picture whether the bike is the color of yours or not.
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Motobecane/

I had one, long ago. I had it painted dark grey for some reason. Then I disassembled it and sold the frame. I felt it was too big for me, and maybe it was.

it appears oldbiknewbike's bike (above) has brazed on fixtures for the shifters. this would put it after '77, and maybe later than that. are the top tube cable guides brazed as well? if the paint is original, it shouldn't be all that hard to determine the year with all the catalogue info out there on the web. what's the pat stamp of the rd?

I no longer have this one. I really regret selling it. At the time I didn't realize how rare they were in this condition. It rode very nicely. It is a '72.

Color is the light Lilac (original), and the Patent number on the rear derailleur is "74".
Only the rear rim isn't original. He had it replaced when he bent it way back when he told me. I replaced the original saddle (which I still have) with a Specialized. I use those saddles on all of my road bikes, and of course keep the ones that came with the bikes.

Here are a few more pics.....

fred

OK Rootboy, I have two nice ones and would trade either one for you know what!!!!! (maybe even both!) This is my actual 1974 but this is not my actual 1972, the one I have is nicer (this is a 1972 I sold)

I'm sure the Ergal rims and tire scrapers on this one look familiar to you Rootboy. (Drillium Dude will recognize the TT cable guides too.)

I don't know Eschlwc, I see a clamp band on the shifters. Could be an amalgamation of parts I suppose but, if your crank arms only say "Strada", Oldbikenewbike, with no number within diamond or circle, they are pretty early. Older than 73?
Nice bikes. Keep them coming.

Rims? What rims? Can't take my eyes off that frame !

Hey, and that is one nice head badge you whipped up there Auchencrow.

Thanks RB! Now if I could only make my Ben Franklins look as convincing.

yeah, my smartphone's display doesn't do these threads much justice. (can't even see the cable guides.) but the little device is so convenient!

speaking of .. for late '70s fans ... remember atari thumb? i've now smartphone knuckle. and maybe smartphone elbow. and now back to our bike porn thread...

Here is my lilac contribution to the thread. I believe it is a 74 or 75 - must be the same as Oldbikenewbike's because he also has Campy brakes. The catalog specs Universal for 74 I think. My original bars/stem were long gone when I bought it so I like seeing some of these with the original set.







This is all I can find for a S/N

And these markings

You know who he's really driving crazy? Me.

I had the opportunity to consider and then buy shnibop's orange Champion Team and I passed it up. Ever since, I have been kicking myself for that decision, so much so I've not been able to visit the thread and leave any more comments! I'm going to find me one of these; I have a new grail bike.

DD

Yes, Due Route, this is not doing me any good. I've got a serious Silver Lilac Le Champion fetish going on, an itch I can't scratch.

heh heh, very nice WTG. And, awfully tempting. Good thing one of those is not Lilac!

Oh and, as far as serial numbers and such, Oldbikenewbike, I don't know anything. Kind of odd here, but I see yours is marked similarly to the one above here. Not sure what those letter/numbers mean. As I remember, my CT has a fout digit number stamped along the BB near one of the BB cups.

I've never been able to make heads or tales out of the serial # on my 1979 TC. It just seems like random numbers.

Thanks to shnibop for contributing bars and derailleur bole, I should have my 74 silver Le Champion up and running very soon! Those 72 dark blue bikes and lilac bikes are fantastic! - Jim
Here's how I found it...

I lost this one (1972, purchased in 1973) in an accident in 2009. It is not in a real good C&V state but rather for riding at the time. I am very disappointed in the loss, but I did get an 83 Colnago out of the expereince! If you are interested in pics go here: https://s985.photobucket.com/albums/a.../Le%20Campion/ Can't insert files as they are too big for this forum.

[IMG]1973 Motobecane Le Champion 24" on Flickr[/IMG]