Originally Posted by VintageSteelEU (Post 23194615)

OK, the frame arrived today. Paint and decal look original (brilliant blue, it's more brilliant in real life than in the photos) - tubing decals are not applied perfectly, I think if this was done as part of repaint job, they would be immaculate, but that's a speculation on my side. Even if this was a repaint, I don't think I would mind, it's a quality job. The frame and paint are in fabulous condition, there are just some minor signs it was built up at some point, but looks like an ex-shop display (as seller described it). There are some tyre marks on the chainstays, so it was ridden at some point, but that will be a minor touch up. Few scuff marks which should come off with some detergent and then perhaps a bit of buffing. I was hoping it will be a bit bigger as it's on the shorter end of my size, but perhaps I will be able to compensate a bit with a longer stem and seatpost. Still minimally heavier then B. Carre Super Vitus 971 frame I'm currently working on, despite that one being taller.
The biggest surprise is the BB shell threading. It's French, I was totally nit expecting that. I'd rather it was Swiss, because I have Swiss-threaded Stronglight Competition BB I was planning to use. Thankfully, I've just received a set of French cups, thanks to generosity of Mad Honk, so I will just have to figure out some spindle with ISO taper and the correct length and hopefully find something suitable in my parts box.

Other than numbers visible in the photos, lugs are stamped with BCM (Bocama). Seat lug has 72 stamped on it (angle). 28's stamped on the BB shell signify all tubes are metric. Huret stamped fork dropouts. NERVOR stamped on the steerer is still a puzzle. A78? Would that be the production year? Looks possible, comparing with the catalogs.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...24fa29dc9e.jpg

Originally Posted by bargo68 (Post 23194332)

Here's one for the Francophiles. It's a recent CL purchase and currently in full tear down mode. It's an uncommon model from what the innerwebs tells me is the second model down from the 'Tour de France' in Motobecane's 'atelier artisinale' lineup. Here are some pix including the bottom bracket serial and matching fork stamp.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5fbab4002.jpeg


Any information is very much appreciated!
Merci beaucoup!

Originally Posted by elcyc (Post 23485042)

Here are some pix of a 58cm Super Mirage I just picked up for $45.
Suggest a year based on SN on bottom bracket, and maybe styling of lettering and badging. It has down-tube shifters which does not match any Super Mirage in late 70s USA/European catalogs.
Also the paint… It looks SILVER except for areas not exposed to sunlight. Should it be Champagne (I have a 78 Mirage in Champagne).
I have never seen original bike paint fade/change …

Originally Posted by Hummer (Post 23483571)

Nice looking Motobecane.

The serial number, WKM955H, looks like a Danish VIN.

W = Import to Denmark.
KM = Motobcane as the importer.
H = year. 1949 or 1971.

Originally Posted by elcyc (Post 23485042)

Here are some pix of a 58cm Super Mirage I just picked up for $45.
Suggest a year based on SN on bottom bracket, and maybe styling of lettering and badging. It has down-tube shifters which does not match any Super Mirage in late 70s USA/European catalogs.
Also the paint… It looks SILVER except for areas not exposed to sunlight. Should it be Champagne (I have a 78 Mirage in Champagne).
I have never seen original bike paint fade/change THIS WAY!

Originally Posted by serta1 (Post 17947759)

1976 Super Mirage. VIN 3277973. 602 (February of 1976?) From looking at other postings and my other 3 Motobecane bicycles from 1976 to 1978 that is my guess what the 602 means. 1976 and 1977 frames had similar stampings. Why 1976? According to the Motobecane catalogue, there was no Super Mirage in 1975 and the 1977 Super Mirage was 2040 tubing. This is 1020 tubing which was the 1976 model. Plus the Silver Blue color of the 1976 model did not have the black stripings on the down tube. The 1977 model did. This is a 23 inch frame. Original tires are long gone. Missing wheel reflectors. Rear carrier has been added. Otherwise all is original.

Originally Posted by non-fixie (Post 23679693)

Very nice! That should clean up beautifully. :thumb:

Have a look here, if you haven't done so already: Road Test/Bike Review (1977) MOTOBECANE Grand Touring

Originally Posted by mudhollow (Post 23679745)

Interesting note in that review about the frame geometry. I bought this bike because I was looking for a sport touring bike; hopefully it isn’t too sporty. It’s going to be awhile before I find out, everything needs a good cleaning and oiling and this will be my first.

EDIT: Also, the review says that these bikes alternately came with Atom 440 pedals, so I guess those are stock. I wonder if they were an upgrade.

Originally Posted by non-fixie (Post 23679903)

"Sport touring" being a typical American designation, I'm not sure what it means exactly, but if you're looking for something between "racing" and "touring" this seems like a good candidate to me. If looked at a few European Motobécane catalogs, and this *might* be the equivalent of what is known as the TR2 on this side of the pond, which was marketed as a "training" bike. Anyway, it being a Motobécane, I would expect it to ride quite nicely.

FWIW, it is a category I like a lot: not as nervous as a true racing machine, but more responsive than a touring rig.

Originally Posted by mudhollow (Post 23679973)

(...) But I like the ring of “randonneuse légère” the best.