RaleighSport

Not to be a heretic or anything.. but SB was more like the custodian of the database of bike knowledge.. not so much the database himself.

unworthy1

Well, if you build it, they will...be grateful...

LeMiddleman

thank you T, you are a gentleman and a scholar. i think we have a match.
the 75's also had a different stem by PIVO


i would also be among the grateful for a serial number database

MILF: Motobecane I Labor to Fix

LeMiddleman

it is either a 77 mirage (the super had 2040 tubes and didn't come in silver)


or 76 super mirage (no regular mirage in 76)




the only thing that's different between the two are the pedals and rims. ill have to check them when i get home


this directory of catalogs was very useful, they have all kinds of bike models
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Motobecane/

LeMiddleman

THE VERDICT IS IN
i have the Weinmann alloy rims and the Atom 440 alloy pedals
this bike is a 1976 Motobecane Super Mirage Mixte


it is also fully stock besides the seat​
thanks to everyone who helped narrow down the year and model

oddjob2

Regarding your determination, is the front fork wearing chrome socks? I can't tell in the photo.

LeMiddleman

i think yes. here is a better picture and a close up of the forks

harpon

That's a nice bike and in good shape- brings back memories- I put a few like her together back in '73 and '74 in a store in Indianapolis that carried Motobecanes- The mixte is regarded highly among women's frames due to the design which offers lateral strength with the seat stays crossing on either side of the seat tube- as opposed to those frames which join one tube there--

Yes- that one would be just slightly newer judging mostly from the crank- so your dating of 1976 seems most plausible- I also had a similar Avocet gel saddle back in the '80's- and think that may have been added later- I've looked for a replacement because that one was so nice and I don't recvall when we parted- too bad yours isn't in better shape-

Most of those parts will clean up nicely too- the slight corrosion on the alloy will come off with steel wool or soap pads- and solvent will dissolve most of the rust otherwise- like WD-40

anythjng else you may want to touch up a bit unassembled with some Metallic Chrome spray paint- which dries about as shiny as alloy usually is- it really doesn't look like you'll need that-

I'd put some colored tires on-
like these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/CST-Blue-Wal...item589bea18f0
or these
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Road-Bik...item2c6bb6a67b

with the alloy rims the 27' wheels are really pretty good for sport riding- or you could go to 27 x 1 1/8" tires for an even better rolll
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kenda-27x1-1...item1e7606007f
gumwalls give a classic look

I'm in Jax too near Riverside- good luck



With my '67 Peugeot PX10

LeMiddleman

im trying to find some nice whitewalls.

oddjob2

https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=12259

Jeff Wills

Nay! Nay I say! Your bike would not look "correct" without a nice set of gumwall tires, lightly padded vinyl seat, and black plastic handlebar tape.

Howard

Panaracer Pasela is a good 27" tire. Comfy, light, and easy rolling.
Go whitewall if you don't intend to ride it, IMO.

LeMiddleman

i plan to ride it all over the place

im torn between whitewalls and gumwalls. gumwalls are very classy and dont look bad at all with a light color scheme

LeMiddleman

my bike fell apart last night

so i took it outside and cleaned it well (carb cleaner helped) and did a little touch up paint on the hardware

the rusty old hardware cleaned up nicely (thanks harpon, chrome spraypaint worked beautifuly)

here it is re-assembled (sans brakes and shifters)

Grand Bois

I'm glad you didn't take the suggestion to put colored tires on it. I hate to see that on vintage bikes. I think they look cool on modern, though.

harpon

I think they look great on everything- but I like the black tread still and the color on just the sides
With some matching platic tape, maybe even an Origin saddle of the same color
I'd probably go for the 1 1/8" gumwalls though, for the lightweight roll
I LIVED vintage and nothing wrong with some DEPATURE and flair and the kids LOVE IT- sells like crazy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1aAu59SlFA

LeMiddleman

im still leaning to my first instinct, whitewall rims, white cork grips, white cable housing, white origin8 seat....

michael k

I do like the gumwalls with white accents.This one is a 75(?) originally had cottered crank,steel wheels and drop bars.

oddjob2

It wasn't a keeper. Those are the Sunlite rebranded Kendas.

oddjob2

Super Mirage, before and after.

LeMiddleman

you may have convinced me on those whitewalls.
also do you know what rear rack that is? i want one

oddjob2

I don't recall. Similar to a Pletscher, but it is white on top.

LeMiddleman

i found this rack in white but i like the simple lines on the pletscher better



i found one pletscher style black top but no white
all the rest are all steel tubing like this
https://www.amazon.com/Michelin-Aveni...ords=Pletscher

ericzamora

I like the white walls and black tread. Here's my daughter's Motobecane. I found some $15 Duro tires in town, shop knocked them down to $12 ea.



eric
fresno, ca.

oddjob2

And in New Joisey, where the Soprano wannabees (actually, they may be real life Tony's in NJ) drive large Black luxury SUVS, I'm keeping this phat Mixte equivalent: