WGB 

Could they have used left over stock from 1976 but used in 1978?

Seatpost is SR with Eagle symbol and around Eagle the words "Melt Forging". Under that the word "Custom the there is the line with words "Max Ht" then 26.0 (presumably post size) then 76-3 then "Japan".

Bars Tiny words "MADE IN FRANCE"" and "PIVO" no date noted

Front reflector is a "CAT EYE" with an "H-4" post and reflector marked "RB-250". No date noted

Rear reflector also "CAT EYE" with a "B-1" post and reflector also marked "RB-250"

Quick releases - both marked "MAILLARD" on one side and "M M ATOM" on reverse

Rims both Weinmann as previously described with high flanges and no date noted

Hubs rear hub marked "Normandy 23 76 (illegible)" front is marked "Normandy 21 76 M"

Free Wheel center marked "Maeda Industeries LTD Japan" and 'SC 8 8 8" and the word PERFECT (italics on bike) inner ring marked "METRIC 347 x 100"

Shifters marked SUNTOUR POWER SHIFTER PATENT

Pedals marked "ATOM" "FRANCE" "440" "TPP-22" and "MADE IN FRANCE"

Pedal Reflectors marked "CIBIE" and "TPP 22"

RD marked "SUNTOUR VG-T" (large VG then very small T) "PAT ALL ALLOY", "SUNTOUR PATENT MAEDA INDUSTRIES LTD" all over body as well as "MAEDA SUNTOUR" on both jockey wheels

FD front has single word "COMPE" while rear marked "MAEDA INDUSTRIES LIMITED 4532 JAPAN SD"

Small Gear Wheel marked "JAPAN SR APEX-5" and "42"

Large Gear Wheel no marking noted

Cranks marked "SR APEX"

Dust Cap marked "CHAINWHEEL"

Brake levers unmarked

Brake Lever extensions both marked "DIA-COMPE PAT. NO862645"

Both front drops have 44917 marked on inside (I had not seen these before)

Both rear and front brakes are Weinmann Vainqueur 999 brakes but they do not have the usual stamping on them (Made in Switzerland, Weinmann etc...) Only stamps I found were on the very rear of the rear piece the number "1234" (on both) and the number "612" on the rear of the front piece of both.

WGB 

Per the Trek website:

SunTour (Maeda)

SunTour derailleurs have a two-letter date code. On rear derailleurs the code is stamped on the back side of the inner parallel arm. On front derailleurs it is stamped on the back side of the inner cage.

The first letter represents the year. Larry Osborn and I believe O (Oh) is 1972, V is 1979 and A is 1984. As with Shimano, the second letter is the month code, where A is January and L is December.

SunTour Year Code

N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
SunTour Month Code

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
Jan
Feb
Mar
APR
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
DEC


My freewheel is a Maeda and has "SC 8 8 8". I wonder if the S could be 1976 and C for March?

I will try the brakes again tomorrow morning (don't want to remove that wonderful tape on the bars to look at the inside of the brake levers). I'll also take another run at the RD and RD as well as the cranks.

I know the numbers don't matter but would just like to know.

T-Mar

The OP and myself have been discussing this bicycle at some length after he contacted me via PM about a week ago. Even before he reported back on date codes, I thought it was a 1976 model.

A 1978 would have a Takagi Tourney crankset and SunTour SL front derailleur, as opposed to an SR Apex and SunTour Compe V. More importantly, the 1978 model moved to the distinctive Huret rear dropout with the integral cable stop, while the subject bicycle has a traditional chainstay mounted cable stop. It would also be rare to have 1976 components on a 1978 model.

Given 1976 date codes, a 1976 or 1977 model is most likely. The only catalogue spec differences between the 1976 and 1977 models are the crankset and handlebar stem. The 1976 uses an SR Apex crankset like the OP's bicycle but the stem is listed as being a Pivo. The 1977 model uses a Takagi Tourney crankset but the stem is SR, like the OP's bicycle. Based on other extant samples and road tests, we know that 1977 production did use the Takagi crankset spec'd in the catalogue, so the subject bicycle would appear to be a 1976 model based on the SR Apex crankset.

As for the frame style, the mixte frame with the wishbone upper tube was available for this model in 1976 and it is listed as "mixte special" in the catalogue.

With the exception of the stem, which could have been a spec change after the catalogue was issued, the subject bicycle is consistent with a 1976 model. So far, all the reported component date codes are from the first half of 1976, so it was probably built in the summer, just before the transition to the 1977 models. If this were my bicycle, I'd have no hesitation calling it a 1976 model.

WGB 

Tom

For the record, your level of knowledge scares me.

I will add updated photos after the weather warms enough for me to shine this beast.... Not bad for 41 years old. Maybe a straight trade on a Paramount is possible!!!!

WGB 

Tom

For the record, your level of knowledge scares me.

I will add updated photos after the weather warms enough for me to shine this beast.... Not bad for 41 years old. Maybe a straight trade on a Paramount is possible!!!!

WGB 

My new screen saver, replacing my ALAN, had to share as I think it cleaned up nicely.

krazebill

Just bought this Mixte in Texas. Is it wrong of me to put Royal Fuse E% 700C Rims on this old French Girl?
Here's a pic of what I got, no wheels at all!
I cannot post a pic until I do ten posts soooo. use your imaginations I guess.
Seems it is a 1975 Grand Jubilee Mixte with Huret drivetrain. How about the Drop Bars, should I go with City Bars or keep the drops? I'll post pics as soon as they let me..

cycleheimer

It is probably a '76 or '77. The head tube isn't painted brown, and the SR Apex crank arms don't say "Motobecane". It also doesn't have the Weinmann concave rims. The GT is a pretty decent bike, BTW. Strong, road worthy, and very reliable!
Wow! It's been awhile since I've been in the Bicycle Exchange.

BigJonny

Hey All,

Beautiful bike. . . as all Motobecanes are!

I just finished restoring a 1984 Motobecane Mirage Sport and on my second ride, when I stopped to buy some GatorAid at a local 7/11, was offered $600 for it. It seems that this older fellow knew his bikes and he also told me he was a fan of the late Luis Ocana, winner of the 1973 Tour d' France on a Motobecane.

Go figure. . . I paid $40 for a "basket case" Mirage Sport and with a $325 investment was able to bring the puppy back to life. I only do Motobecane bikes as I consider them the best ride for the money. This one, however, was a Bear to say the leas,t but after a total component rebuild, including a nasty Regina Corso that did not want to be overhauled and spit a bunch of 3mm ball-bearings on the floor, it all came back to life.

I told the old fellow "Thanks, but this one is a keeper. "

Ride hard, ride safe.

J

Mad Honk 

I worked with a lot of those frames in the late 70's. They were available to a lot of shops and were equipped with whatever they had to make a complete bike. This one is great example of those efforts. They were good bikes and rode well. Not a lot of support from the masses but still a good bike at a reasonable price for the time, with the right components they were great riding bikes. Smiles, MH

Mad Honk 

I might be interested in buying the seat, Smiles, MH

Phil_gretz

Ocana was notoriously mercurial and emotionally brittle. He was unable to beat Merckx head-to-head in a GT event, including Vueltas that had been constructed to favor his climbing style. If I recall correctly, Merckx didn't ride in the '73 TdF. Hence, Ocana's victory.