Hello all, I recently purchased a new in box, never sold, never built 1976 Motobecane Grand Record. It is a 21 inch frame and probably would be to small for me but I hate to part with this bike. It is a time capsule like I've never seen before, it is absolutely new in the box! The dilemma is; would you unpack it and wreck the unique nature of what could possibly be a one of a kind bike? I just put it up for sale as I don't have the heart to assemble it, thinking it should go to someone that would appreciate it for what it is. Am I nuts?

NIB has its appeal, but even if you take it out and assemble, it is still NOS. I would recommend doing so as any hidden damage will be revealed. I know this from personal experience. I bought a NOS, NIB bike and upon receipt, found damage to the seat tube and stays. Not significant, but if it had been any other bike, I would have returned it. As it is, I still have it.

I concur with Lynn -- a bike that has been in storage that long may well have hidden damage.

It should at least be taken out of the box and inspected thoroughly for rust, dents, etc.

I agree. And ,if I might add, photograph the frame and components so that the seller has a record of the bike's condition prior to shipping.

Pictures would be great!

As far as i'm concerned this is a sales posting.

The OP asks, "Should I do this? Should I do that?".

The bike has already been pulled out of the box, photographed and is listed on Ebay. It's a bit late for questions about assembling it before he attempts to sell it, he started this thread hoping to generate some interest in his item.

Perhaps so. But the photos still show it wrapped, so there is still the chance of hidden damage. I would have found it anyway as I search Motobecane Record and Champion daily.

Case in point: There is a Bridgestone 700 that's listed as NOS currently out there (I can't remember where). Seller disclosed that it has a few blems, even though it's been stored in box. Disclosure goes a long way. As long as the bike retains its integrity, it's still a special find. Incidentally, I think I know the bike OP acquired and it looked good from the photos I saw. My advice: put your other Moto on eBay (as you're currently doing) and hang on to this one. You paid a lot of money for it and it's a bit too soon between sales to flip.

I'm not posting this to promote the bike, I would retract my sale in a second if I got input telling me that this is such an unusual item that theres no way I should sell it. What I was looking for is advise from experienced bicycle enthusiasts about the odds of finding such a nice bicycle new in the box after all these years. I can peek under the wrapping, the bike looks undamaged and exactly as new. I have lusted after a great condition Grand Record for several years, but being someone that appreciates all sorts of antiques and collectibles, something tells me that unwrapping and building it is a mistake.

I tend to agree with the others, if it is unpacked and unridden it is still NOS. If we were talking original NIB star wars merchandise, then no, leave it in it's clear package. I think bikes are different, I bet it is worth more with the condition documented.

If it were me and it was my size, I don't know that I would sell it... but that all depends on how broke I am at the moment.

-Matt

I would unwrap it and build it if it fits you? As long as it is kept out of the rain, and cleaned/maintained it would stay new looking for years. I think it should be documented ASAP too. Many of us
have this model, and I for one am flying blind as to what components it is supposed to have originally.
If I knew what I was looking for to make it original, it would really help.,,,,BD

The only mistake would be depriving someone of the pleasure of unwrapping. If you want to persist with not unwrapping it, then do so. But I recommend you offer a return policy for hidden damage. The most important feature of that bike is NOS. As we all have pointed out, even built, it is still NOS.

You have wanted one for years and now you have one.If it is your size assemble it and ride it,if its not your size sell it to someone who will get use out of it.I had a similiar situation a few years ago and ended up selling the item because everytime i looked at it i wanted to use.Its not a bike if its a bunch of parts in a box until you bring it to "life".Its just a box you will be moving out of your way until you use it or sell it.Good luck.

Check here for 1974,75,76 Motobecane catalogs for original equipment specs: https://www.velobase.com/
scroll down and check Catalog Scans and they are there. Rich

Thanks for all your input, the real issue is that I think it is probably to small, although everyone seems to have a different opinion on fit, some say it would be fine, others not. I certainly wouldn't be asking all these dumb questions if the frame was a bit bigger as I would be geting it ready to ride! (Plus I'm to indecisive!) Rich

it will fit me, you should just ship it to me and forget the whole incident, PM for address.

Standover height on that bike is about 30.5". If your leg inseam is about 30" to 32", the bike is a perfect fit.

Both of my Motos feel larger than their specs (which is a good thing). No way to tell until you build it and mount it (you don't have to ride it and it's still NOS).

If this was a sales bid it is really good thinking! It's a lovely bike! Anyone here would be nuts not to want it! JESUS!

And away we go!

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=400034416863

Neal

That newbie is determined to have the highest bid...

where did you find this?

I bought the bike from a dealer. He said he bought a bike shop some years ago and there was a number of unbuilt bikes in the store, this was one of them. Frankly I wish I never put it out for sale at this point, seems like a mistake.

It'll be interesting to see how it fares against its original posting from a few weeks ago: