Just got this Motobecane
 

The sellers said "60s", to be honest I have no idea as I'm a complete n00b. Mainly to be used on a ~1 mile commute to the train station and for tooling around and tinkering with. This was the seller's picture, I will take more and post them later.

http://www.parasite.com/images/mtbcn.jpg

I've only had about 15 minutes of seat time so far, but it seems to ride pretty well. No rust except for a few pin sized spots. The paint is rubbed off in a couple places, but it still says Motobecane and 'made in france' on it. From the small, undetailed pic, can anyone tell me anything about this bike?

Yes......you bought it in Berkeley, and paid about $75.00 for it.... :) If not, I saw one JUST like it on Craig's List yesterday! I was tempted to call myself, but I'm too much of a cheapskate... :D

John D.

Looks comfy. Looks like a Peugeot I should have bought.

Aahah. Actually, you are wrong! I ended up buying it in Oakland!

I can't wait to leave work and ride it some more. Its been years since I've even owned a bike, actually. I sold my car a few weeks ago, and I've been going back and forth on whether I should get a bike and, if so, what I should get. I decided that since my current needs are very simple, I'd look for something old/used, but with character, and go from there. So here I am!

Seriously, it looks lke a nice ride. I love the classic look. You definitely hit the mark on "old, but with character".

John D.

You have what appears to be a Motobecane Nobly. If that is what appears to be a Huret Allvit rear derailleur, then it is 1973 or earlier. Late 1960s is a possibility. The saddle would appear to be a replacement, as they were spec'd with spring, mattress saddles. Outside of that and maybe the tires, it appears to have all the original parts, including the fenders, rack and kickstand.

The Nobly was the entry level model in the Motobecane, adult, lightweight line-up. The tubing and components are utilitarian, which is one of the attractive features, given its intended use. However, many of the parts will use sizes or threading that are unique to French bicycles. Sometimes, finding replacement parts can involve a bit of a search, but it is by no means impossible. Some cyclists also find the design and performance of the Allvit rear derailleur to be lacking, but the other entry level, French derailleurs of this period had their own problems. Despite the lightweight classification, its a sturdy frame and the complete bicycle will weigh about 35 lbs. Original price back in 1973, would have been around $100 US.

Very sweet… nothing better than matching painted fenders. FYI... while that rack does have a very "frenchy" look, it is in fact a Wald product and available for $12. I highly recommend them as a sturdy, functional and attractive carrier. Steel to deal!

Boy, I looked at that bike real hard this morning myself. I'm glad to hear that at least one of us got it -- and not some stranger.

:cry:

Didn't get a chance to take pics tonight, but suffice it to say that T-Mar was pretty much on the money. I'll try to get more pics up tomorrow night, the wife will be out.

Just saw this one on Craig's List in Fremont but again description and pictures are sketchy. Ask ed questions but seller doesn't have the answers.

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/bik/64952788.html

Didn't think that older 80's came in 18-speed.

Wow! From smallish Miyatas to Huge Motobecanes. Do you have telescoping legs? :D

So I'm a loser, I haven't taken more pictures, but I have been riding it almost every day, just a few miles to and from the BART station. Its gonna need some work soon, though. I may just go the fixed gear route.

When you live in Silicon Valley, you need to be fast! Miyata turned out to be too big for my wife. Now I'm headed to the motobecane but that one may be a little big for me!

Dunno where he gets 18 speeds unless he's got a 9-cog cassette; that's the stock Sugino double chainwheel in front.

Someone just posted a San Jose ad for a Peugeot PX-10 from CL. Saw it on the CR site. Might be about your size. They only wanted $100.00. :)

It's down to $75 now.