rootboy 

rootboy 

auchencrow

That's a little chunk of Moto history there and one we're not likely to encounter on this side of the pond, Papik.
-And it appears that they stuck with Huret, long after they went to Japanese derailleurs on the export bikes.

auchencrow

You probably didn't see these terrible scratches with your aging eyes, rootboy - - but don't despair! You can send the whole bike here and I'll take care of it for you. - And I won't even charge you!

auchencrow

I think some of you guys are holding out on me. Like, where's @ftwelder 's bike? I recall he had a yellow Grand Record much like @VonCarlos 's beauty.

auchencrow

Here's my '75 LeChamp which most of you have seen many times.

jimmuller 

We haven't heard from FTW for quite a while. I'm wondering if they're still frozen. Jon Vara, you wanna' hop over the mountain and see what they're up to?

CV-6 

Once I finish the little project I am doing on the complete bike, I will share it. For now, here is the frame.


P8032133 by CV6Enterprises, on Flickr

VonCarlos

I saw it on ebay so he might have sold it by now.

auchencrow

Gee, CV-6, that one looks all scratched up too. Better let me take care of it for you.

acoffin 

Here is my 72ish Grand Record. I need to get more current pictures. These are from just after I purchased it last summer.

papik

Yes, they was clearing the stocks...this model is between the B122 and the C502, because it is all built with the excellents 2040 tubes

papik

Nice and rare colour and perfect proportions ! so for the red and black and black and red GJ...they are the archetyp of classical bicycles !

auchencrow

You are very kind Papik, thank you!

rootboy 

shoot. It's all ruined.

rootboy 

I agree Papik. One of my favorite bike colors, for sure. Here's another one. Had to ditch that Cinelli saddle, however, after trying it.
Went back to a Brooks Pro.

auchencrow

Nice acof... I really ought to snag a GR like that someday to fill that gap in my personal Moto line-up.

acoffin 

Thanks, Achen! I'm not sure how the GR compares to other Moto's of the era or even to a PX10 (I'm mostly familiar with Japanese road bikes and sports tourers from the 80's), but the ride is very unique. Short top tube and high bottom bracket (or at least it feels high), the bike just wants to go, very responsive. I'm not sure how much I will like it for an all day rider, but I'm going to give it an opportunity.

auchencrow

Your GR was well up the totem pole: From low to high: Nomade;Mirage;Super Mirage;Grand Touring;Grand Jubile;Grand Record;Le Champion;Team Champion.

I'm not sure that any comparison to Peugeot or PX10s would be especially meaningful, since they are very different bikes. Certainly though there are relatively few of the full Campy Motos around, with the TC being especially scarce and sought after.

...Yeah, I know, looking at this thread, you'd think every Tom Dick and Harry has one, but that's not really the case. - And that's one cool thing about BikeForums - you get to see a lot of stuff that you would probably never get to see in a lifetime.

acoffin 

I was thinking more in terms of geometry. Was there a French style during this era (late 60s and early 70s), and if so what were the recognized handling characteristics?

auchencrow

I am not a geometry expert like @roadfan , @Scooper or @John E , so I probably should not even answer this, but generally, the French bikes, and I think most of the bikes from the period had healthy ~55mm fork offsets and longish wheelbases, with slack, ~73 degree sport-touring angles. The TT being shorter allowed for a rider to manage a French fit frame and ride more upright and more comfortably, which might otherwise require Gumby arms.

Later, bikes acquired slightly steeper angles, longer TTs, less rake and felt less relaxed, but quicker. Some would say twitchy.

IknowURider

62 CM '83 (I think) Super Mirage, rescued from certain landfill fate. This is the long distance rando-bike. Latest rescue is an 80's 58 CM Mirage, some basic jap upgrades, now has a black fork from a Puch. This is becoming my day-tripper town bike. I am seriously blown away at how well it rides. What's cool about this one is it had actually been ridden quite a bit, parts were swapped out , tires worn etc. Was probably someone's college commuter . The headset was ridiculously jury rigged with a nut machined by some guy who probably worked at Pratt and Whitney. If you want to find bikes like this, for free, talk to landlords. I got the Super Mirage for free by chatting with a landscaper who knew he was too old and stodgy to ever get it done...

Chicago Al 

Oh my gosh, Rootboy's bike is cool. As are the rest in this thread, but that's a real bell-ringer for me.

This thread, particularly those closeup photos of Rootboy's, shows why Motobecanes were known for having good paint, back in the day.

rootboy 

Thanks Al. The paint job on that Champion Team really is well done. This winter I took it apart and cleaned the paint. I hadn't done much of anything on that bike since I had bought it, in 1985 or so. Meguiar's #6 Cleaner Wax brought out the shine and depth to a level that really impressed me.

toavii

My 1978 (I think - could be wrong; Vitus, first gen Cyclone) Grand Jubile







Was my dad's since new, I've had it for 8 years now. First time out with it this year. One of my favorite riding bikes I've ever had.

It's in dire need of some Paselas and I really need to get around to finding a suitable frame pump for it this year.