Velocivixen

I have been busy working on my Moto. The Stronglight crank holes were stretched out, so when the crankset was mounted it put the small chain ring too close to the chain stay & caused scratching. Ran it as a single chain ring for awhile with the ugly '90's Shimano front/rear derailleurs, using the front set as a "chain guide" so the chain wouldn't jump off. Finally bought a Velo Orange French threaded bottom bracket along with the VO Grand Cru Mark II crankset, and VO half toe clips. I ditched the Honey B17 and bought a pristine black B17 from CL, along with a Carradice Zipped Roll bag in black from a nice man who lurks here (Hi David!).

At one point I had changed the original drops for Soma Oxford (Nitto Albatross knock offs) handlebars with bar end shifters and a Nitto Technomic stem (which I sanded to fit 22.0 steer tube). The ride quality was very disappointing to me with that setup. So back to the original stem/bars. It was better but I just couldn't get the brake levers to my liking and felt I couldn't safely hit the brakes if I needed to. So....in went the Nitto Technomic and this time went with VO "Porteur" handlebars, VO City Brake Levers, Dimension black cork blend grips AND Suntour ratchet thumb shifters! It works great! I can have full access to my brake levers, only slightly more upright than with the drops (I used longer than usual stem to compensate for rear sweep of the bars), and shifting is wonderful.

I did sacrifice bar space though with grips, brakes, shifters. I have a mixte with the same stem/bar setup with inverse levers & intentionally went with stem shifters (Suntour ratcheted) to keep the handlebars free for multiple positions and a clean look. I also replaced the Jagwire "Maize" (yellow) cable housing for black &, surprisingly, that made a huge difference aesthetically. Finally, I didn't like the lines on the center of the the handlebars that stuck out on either side of the clamp, so used black waxed twine & did some twining reminiscent of Rivendell. Awhile back I bought a $10 parts only Moto, so moved the Huret derailleurs from it over the the GJ, and got rid of the Shimanos. So....here it is. Also please feel free to suggest any improvements for cables in front. Looks sort of messy, but they're as short as possible & still allow the h'bars to turn appropriately.

Edit - for all you English majors out there I apologize in advance about my paragraph breaks. It was noted that I was fairly long winded and for the sake of one's eyes, should perhaps break up my one long paragraph. I hope this makes it more palatable. Cheers!

[IMG]https://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=402045
[/IMG][IMG]https://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=402046
[/IMG][IMG]https://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=402047
[/IMG][IMG]https://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=402048
[/IMG][IMG]https://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=402049
[/IMG][IMG]https://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=402050
[/IMG][IMG]https://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=402051
[/IMG][IMG]https://bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=402052
[/IMG]

rootboy 

That is pure gorgemous, Velovixen. But that huge paragraph of yours put a hurt on my eyes! They started to cross while I tried to read it. How 'bout some paragraph breaks?

Grand Bois

It's beautiful!

Velocivixen

@rootboy - are you saying I'm long winded? hahaha. OK, point taken. Maybe I'll go back & edit. I've been saving up all the little things I've done & just let it all out for all the forum to read.

Thanks you guys for the compliments though.

cb400bill

Classic Motobecane styling. Great job.

due ruote 

I agree it's beautiful and it looks very practical.

My only suggestion is, once you have the bell position completely dialed in, I'd consider drilling and tapping the stem and mounting it directly. I know some will squawk over this but I and many others have done it with no ill effect. It's a pretty minor point but to my eye it's just cleaner and more integrated, and doesn't disturb the line of the stem.

vonfilm 

Wonderful build.

Velocivixen

Thanks everyone. I know I've spend way more on this bike than I actually paid and more than I could ever sell it for. I will keep it for a long time. It was my first CL bike last summer and I learned a lot, and also about French bike specifics.
@due ruote - I'll consider your recommendation. It would definitely make it cleaner. I prefer the bell up on the handlebars, but with the levers/shifters in the way I'l have to take a hand off anyway, so I left it on the stem. I'm still not satisfied with where it's located.

Also those are 700c custom wheels (VO hubs & H Plus Son TB14 rims), and they contribute greatly to the ride, however I'd really like to find some nice(isn) 27" wheels/hubs. I guess I could have some built or learn myself, so those options are still on the table. Hard to find 27" wheels in PDX actually, as they go quick. Could buy a donor bike I suppose.

Sir_Name 

Beautiful! I like the black twine a lot - I may just borrow that idea for a very similar build that is nearing completion ('80 Moto Grand Touring, Soma Sparrow bars).

What do you think of the TB-14s?

ofgit

That is beeyoutiful! Looks like the one that I couldn't afford back in the fall of '74! My size too.

Velocivixen

@Sir_Name - I like the ride a lot, and I realize that ride quality has a lot to do with spokes, hubs, etc. plus I'm not an experienced enough rider on a variety of different bikes, so my version of "good or lively" might not be as discerning as some others. The rims are very shiny. They come in Hard Ano, High Polish (mine), & black Ano. Honestly, if I were to do it again I would not have chosen those hubs. They are ok, but they look like they're "trying too hard" to look vintage & pretty. Do you know what I mean? If something (or someone) is truly attractive they really don't have to "try" - they just "are". The hubs with the very shiny rims just seem slightly gawdy to me. The 27" wheels on a couple of my other bikes or more brushed silver and they are more understated, thus the eye focuses on the frame & not the bling of the shiny wheels.

rootboy 

Thanks Velovixen! (great user name, by the way ), that's much easier to read.
Super looking bike, with lots of great looking, classy details.

TIOS

That is a great looking bike! You did a great job with it. Is that the original paint? It looks like the front derailleur has to do a lot of work with the big difference in chain ring gearing. Any issues shifting in front?

old's'cool

English is a living language. If a majority prefers and uses a certain style, it will de facto become the norm and then the standard. Split infinitives and modal constructs included...

eschlwc

velo, why the need for 27" wheels?

i like using sun rims for their appearance, price, and value (in case you're in the market). if you can build a bike like that, you can build wheels for it. there's no magic to wheelbuilding. it's just like following a recipe.

Chris W.

Beautiful build!!! (I think the wheels look great imho )

Cheers,
Chris

Bianchigirll 

Gee there is nothing left for me to say I do agree that is a great looking Motobecane.
@velovixen when you first leave the house do you hear the Wicked Witch tune from the Wizard of OZ? I set my Hetchins up in a similar way and every time I ride it that tune runs through my head.

jyl

The bike just gleams. Really pretty.

I have an idea for the bell. Suppose you mounted it to the end of the handlebar, so that visually it was a shiny "cap" for the grip, and you could ding it with your little finger.

Or, how about drilling the bar just forward of the grip and mounting the bell there?

Velocivixen

@Bianchigirll - YES!!!! I even hum it sometimes when I'm pedaling real fast! My Nishiki with Porteur bars gets the same musical rendition. I'll even belt out, "I'll get you my pretty. And your mangey little dog too!" in that witchy voice. I'm sure it's only entertaining to me.

dck

Very nice looking bike. I like the choice of components. Still retains the vintage look. I don't think you need 27" wheels. My Grand Jubile is stock except for the wheels which are 700c sew-ups.

Chicago Al 

Very very sharp, and an interesting build, so not a long-winded post at all!

I bet you will get offers to buy that bike, it'll attract even the non-C&Vamourous.

noglider 

Truly excellent work.

Velocivixen

Thanks everyone. I'm very happy with how it's coming along.
@TIOS- yes it's original paint. In person it's so rich & almost iridescent. Chainrings are 46/30 & with friction shifting have no issues shifting.
@jyl- thinking how to mod. A Velox bar end plug to get that bell to work there. I do like the cork grips. I'll have to look more closely at the workings of the bell & see. I wonder, though, if the bell would rub my hand. Hmmm. I'll keep you posted.
@dck - what year is your Moto? Do you know what year they started coming stock with 700c?

eschlwc

the g.jubilé never came with 700c rims/tires.

they were on the g.record in '79.

randyjawa 

Lovely looking and riding bicycle. Out of the eighteen vintage road bicycles that I used to own, only five remain and my Motobecane Grand Jubile is one of them. I love riding my "old man's" road bicycle out at my cottage and on the little used secondary highways that criss-cross the Great Canadian Shield. Anyway, you will love your bicycle and, like you, I am keeping mine for a long time...