And now for something completely different...
 

I normally spend all my time on the Hybrid forum, but I took on a non-hybrid project this weekend. I rescued a 1974 Motobecane Grand Touring from my father's garage. He bought it new in '74, put about 5000 miles on it back in the day, and it hasn't moved from it's ceiling hooks since 1981 as far as anyone can recall.

Surprisingly, all the derailleurs and brakes were fully functional and the wheels were completely true. I saved the old Avocet saddle with a lot of mink oil. It took a lot of elbow grease, tires, tubes, brake pads, bar tape and new hoods, but I'm pleased with the result. This bike has a lot of sentimental value. I've posted a few items in the classic touring bike thread on the Classic and Vintage forum, but thought I would show y'all what I've been up to. This thing rides fast and smooth. 26.5 pounds on a lugged cro-moly frame and 27" wheels. My Fuji Absolute 2.1 may have some competition for the miles now.

A before pic and few after shots...

Nice job, looks great!

Very nice! Enjoy the ride.

I finished the majority of the work on the '74 Motobecane Grand Touring this morning. I ended up having to disassemble, de-gunk, lube, and reassemble the rear derailleur because while it shifted fine across the cogs, it wouldn't maintain proper chain tension when on the smaller chain ring up front. Fixed that problem. In addition to the other consumables (tires, tubes, brake pads, bar tape, hoods, rim-strips, toe straps, etc.), I had to replace the saddle. I thought I could save the suede saddle, but the thin padding under the suede disintegrated on a few adjustment rides. It turned out pretty nice for my first attempt to resurrect a bike and will provide a nice option to my Fuji Absolute hybrid on occasion.

I see you got the handlebars up where they belong.......

I still have a case of hybriditis...

you gonna flip it?

Nah. Too much sentimental value. I've got about 150 miles on it now post-rebuild. That steel frame rides beautifully. Still riding the hybrid as well.

.. 3 buttocks? .. (Monty Python line)

good catch...