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Total trash? Motobecane Mirage
I picked this up for a ridiculously low price, but even then I probably overpaid. Still, to me there is just enough left that I hate to see it in the scrap heap. Am I being foolish? Appears to be a 1977 Mirage. Needs bar tape, a chain, cables, lubrication, and lots of cleaning. Frame is rust-free although many scratches and scrapes. Neat old springer seat. Derailleurs function well, as do the brakes. Rims are true and tires are OK!
What say you? https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...832ba2b461.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...08d830d3c6.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0efed29b93.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a9303041a3.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ebfa4dc4cf.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b1598958a4.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6548aa2502.jpg . |
I have an even older Mirage, from 1973. It was in pristine shape so I decided to keep it completely stock, right down to the steel rims. It has a nice ride, very typical of old French low-trail geometry. To be sure the wheels take a little extra effort to get rolling! And there is no way I would ride it in the rain unless I swapped in some aluminum-rim wheels. Your bike was made after Motobécane changed the geometry to mid-trail, so it may not ride the same as mine. But it should still have a good ride, and the parts (being Japanese) will work well. It would make a fine dry-weather rider if you so choose. |
Total trash? No. Half trash? Yes.
I'll pick them up if they are cheap, often they will have a Swiss threaded BB. Add alloy stem, decent crank. Fresh tires (cheapies, but still usable). Typically they will have a Vx RD, which I like. The RD on this one? No thanks. High ten steel frame, steel seat post, steel handlebars, steel rims. In a hot market, it could do well. In my market, very little value. Flip potential in my area? Zero. But I've changed my tune on these when I find them locally. I will buy right and donate to the co op. And occasionally for the decent parts mentioned above, with the rest to the co-op. |
Originally Posted by Aubergine
(Post 20867702)
I have an even older Mirage, from 1973. It was in pristine shape so I decided to keep it completely stock, right down to the steel rims. It has a nice ride, very typical of old French low-trail geometry. To be sure the wheels take a little extra effort to get rolling! And there is no way I would ride it in the rain unless I swapped in some aluminum-rim wheels. Your bike was made after Motobécane changed the geometry to mid-trail, so it may not ride the same as mine. But it should still have a good ride, and the parts (being Japanese) will work well. It would make a fine dry-weather rider if you so choose. |
Originally Posted by wrk101
(Post 20868053)
Total trash? No. Half trash? Yes.
I'll pick them up if they are cheap, often they will have a Swiss threaded BB. Add alloy stem, decent crank. Fresh tires (cheapies, but still usable). Typically they will have a Vx RD, which I like. The RD on this one? No thanks. High ten steel frame, steel seat post, steel handlebars, steel rims. In a hot market, it could do well. In my market, very little value. Flip potential in my area? Zero. But I've changed my tune on these when I find them locally. I will buy right and donate to the co op. And occasionally for the decent parts mentioned above, with the rest to the co-op. |
Originally Posted by kross57
(Post 20868474)
What's the problem with the Allegro RD?
The V GT Luxe is my go to touring derailleur for the friction era. http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/...leur_1500.html |
Originally Posted by wrk101
(Post 20868484)
Its almost all stamped steel, similar to a Suntour 7. Compare it to a Suntour V GT Luxe (stock on the 1977 Mirage) and you will see a lot lighter and a lot nicer finish with mostly cast aluminum parts.
The V GT Luxe is my go to touring derailleur for the friction era. SunTour V GT Luxe derailleur (1500) |
Keep it, clean and fix it, ride it! It's beautiful as it is. Motobecane was a good French producer. If you treat your bike well, she will treat you well.
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My goal with this was just to get it back on the road and sell it at no real profit. I know that's kinda crazy but I hate to see an old bike end up in the junk pile. Replaced the derailleur with a Simplex I had in the bin, rewrapped the bars, put a better chain on it, touched up the paint, replaced cables and lubed it. If I make $20 on it, that's a lot, but who cares. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ee6936c6e2.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b83ba83d12.jpg . |
Nice work! |
Originally Posted by kross57
(Post 20875798)
... Replaced the derailleur with a Simplex I had in the bin, rewrapped the bars, put a better chain on it, touched up the paint, replaced cables and lubed it...
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That's exactly the kind of bike I like to pick up cheap & convert to upright handlebars & sell for more. The stem shifters help make it a cheaper conversion than drop tube shifters. It's a nice bike and, probably even worthy of a new set of alloy wheels.
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In NNJ or delivered to a NuYorker in Hoboken at the ferry, $135-$150, all day.
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Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
(Post 20876664)
Did you check the stem to make certain that it's not above the minimum insertion mark?
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Originally Posted by ramzilla
(Post 20877521)
That's exactly the kind of bike I like to pick up cheap & convert to upright handlebars & sell for more. . . . It's a nice bike and, probably even worthy of a new set of alloy wheels.
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Well, those textured steel rims had all kinds of dents and dings, affecting the braking. So I swapped them out for a pair of alloys I had from a fubar Univega. Braking is much improved, and it is now a 12 speed. Actually turned into a decent bike. I did have to lower the stem (good catch Phil Gretz).
At least it is back on the road and not in the scrap heap. There is a definite pleasure in that. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...89731d8508.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...65ed90b2ba.jpg |
Nice work, Kross57! |
I fixed up a Super Mirage.
I liked it. So, safety levers, stem shifters, kick stand, my kind of bike. |
Fix it up. Ride it every year on Bastille Day. (july 14). Join up with your local Bastille day ride.
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I thought I would give folks the end of the story. Sold this bike last night to a happy young couple from Brooklyn. The guy had a Moto, and the girl wanted one to match. Frame was a perfect fit. So, it's out there rolling around again. Nice!
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Originally Posted by kross57
(Post 20924385)
I thought I would give folks the end of the story. Sold this bike last night to a happy young couple from Brooklyn. The guy had a Moto, and the girl wanted one to match. Frame was a perfect fit. So, it's out there rolling around again. Nice!
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