Hey,

I bought an 1980 Motobecane frame. Now I'm trying to find out what model it is, what was standard equipment on it (BB, gear group, quill, etc.), and all the info I can get? I found an image via google that looks exactly like the frame I have, but without further info. The top tube says Clio or something in italic, white letters.

Motobecane image link

Can't find it in the Motobecane 1980 catalog: Motobecane 1980 catalog

Enlighten me, thank you...

EDIT:

The frame is the same as from the bike in the image, thought it made more sense to post that image, then just of the frame. I unscrewed the BB and it is in fact swiss. Image below is the tubing decal, can't make out what it says, are there a list/collection of the different types somewhere? The top tube decal must be original, as it's the same on my frame and the similar bike I linked.

https://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9775/img1207p.jpg

Picture shows a complete bike, not a frame. If you bought a complete bike, great, as Motobecane's from that era had a host of french threaded components, along with often a Swiss bottom bracket. Finding those parts can be somewhat costly and sometimes challenging. I've had several Motobecanes and other french bikes from that era.

Who knows whether top tube marking it original? Of more use are any frame tubing decals that specify the material used to make the bike, along with looking up date codes on components (google bicycle date codes). Realize that the only thing on that bike made by Motobecane was the frame itself. The rest was made by a host of manufacturers, who made parts for all the manufacturers.

Motobecane information on the web is somewhat limited. They went bankrupt decades ago, and have reappeared as a generic, made in China brand.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...020-2040-steel

Yours says 2040; at least that's what I see.

I don't recognize that bike, but I'm not completely up on my later Moto models. Bear in mind that they sold different models in Europe than in the states. Where are you located?

Denmark, but I don't know where it originally was imported to. 85% chance that it was Denmark as well.

In the States there was a model called the Sprintour that had those kind of decals, with 2040 tubing (I believe) and Shimano 600 components. Is there a decal of any kind on the top tube?

If you inspected the bb and it was in decent shape, you have cause to rejoice. Take care to maintain it, and you probably won't need a replacement in your lifetime.
- And if it was Swiss, so much the better: The fixed cups were left-threaded so that precession won't unscrew them in normal use.

On the other hand, if they need replacement, you'll have to get a cartridge bb which will be spendy.

Yes it says Clio or something, it's in white italic letters, hard to read. See linked image below.

https://img594.imageshack.us/img594/6451/img1192hve.jpg

The cups are okay, the balls and spindle on the other hand are kind of worn out. Are the old spindle replaceable with a spindle from a new BB, like this https://www.bike-mailorder.de/shop/MT...SA::14565.html ?

No. The picture you linked to IS a BSA threaded cartridge bb. You just need to find a spindle with the appropriate dimensions. A local bike coop or an older established bike shop is your best bet. Just make sure the dimensions are similar or you'll have problems with your chain line.

I believe it says "Club". That's not a model that was sold in the States, but I believe you'll find it was a Europe-only model or something. Take a look at this link:

https://www.velosaloon.com/shop/motob...club-59cm.html

velo orange sells a threadless cartridge BB for $66

That's what I meant when I said "spendy" (- a relative term I suppose!)

VeloSolo.co.uk sells one for 15 £. Zenith Threadless Bottom Bracket for Damaged Frames

There is a French Motobecane catalog from 1976 at Velobase.com where you might possibly find an earlier version of your bike. There were very different models, and many more of them, than were exported to the US, and shown in that catalog. Actually I have learned here that the US importer, Ben Lawee, was largely responsible for the US Motobecane models, maybe that included naming them. I would guess that in DK most if not all the MB bikes could be bought.

That bike is a lower end French made Motobecane from late 70's erly 80's. The French models seemed to basically cut out the thrills as the brand was pitching as high end but affordable brand. The price of a top of the range Motobecane in 1977 was a third less than the top of the range Raleigh. I think if you were to find a C5 or a post 1976 T3 French model you would be pretty happy for a while. On the other hand if you were in the US, a nice Grand jubilie or Le champion would be the choice but it really is horses for courses.

I think the US models went like this, Grand Jubilie, Grand Record, Le Champion, Team Champion

The latter two coming (usually) with full Campagnolo and 9 tubes Reynolds 531.

Can someone please advise on the following, do all US Motobecane's have the 531 decal in English? Has anyone seen one in French?

Thanks

I don't know about most US Motos, but on my Grand Record, the seat tube's decal is in English, while the fork's decal is in French (Fourreaux)...? But then, I bought mine from a US Moto Dealer who was a former French racer that traveled back & forth between the US & France.

very interesting 1 Lugnut. And does it say 9 tubes on the decal or does it say 3?

The seat Tube decal only reads, 'Butted Tubes, Forks & Stays.' After all this time, it does make me wonder how my frame came to be? As far as I can tell, it's a '74 frame, but IIRC, I bought it as a frame only, in '78. It was hanging on a rack in the shop all alone for $275. It looked brand new, but who knows. Maybe...& this is a wild guess, it was a bike that had it's fork damaged & Pierre (the shop owner) found an exact replacement fork & that's why the fork decal's is in French. It was a 4 year-old frame. He was a Moto Dealer w/ connections and had access to Motobecane parts. He once scored a Motobecane headset that I wanted w/o delay. It was not an on-the-shelf-item. I still have it, as I never used it when I switched to Edco Competition Headsets.

the lock nut is annodized black

1974 (?) GR, Reynolds labels tout Francais.

However...TA crankset with (tight) English pedal threads, TA Swiss bottom bracket (pretty sure), English freewheel threads on Normandy hubs, non-French steerer tube.



(I don't know what's up with the pics here, can't get them to attach in the normal full size way.)

I guess that Pic dispel's my theory? Your seat tube Decal AL, looks like it reads 3 tubes (not sure)...?

fork decal:


><><

My seat tube decal looks exactly like the one on the top right..


Reynolds 531 Decals - French (1960's-1975)

Quite a bit of info about the different types of decals Reynolds used through the years ---> Here

Indeed, it's the French version of the '3 main tubes' decal. It's not really legible as the Reynolds decals have done their usual self-destruct act (good thing the steel was better).

The US catalog for 74 and the years around it is a little cagey, just saying 'Reynolds 531 double butted tubing' for frame and fork on the GJ and GR. However for the Le Champion and Team Champion it's noted the same with the added word 'throughout.' Later on the GR at least was also full 531. Not that it makes a lot of difference.

Motobecane Club's surface regularly here in the low countries. Usually in mixte guise. Here's one I picked up a while ago. Not the lightest of bikes, but they are often in good shape, which says something for the build quality.