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1974-75 Motobecane scans

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1974-75 Motobecane scans

Old 11-11-19, 12:36 PM
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orcas island 
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1974-75 Motobecane scans

These may have been posted before, but I came across a sales catalog that accompanied a Grand Jubilee purchased in Sept of 1974 and thought I’d share some of the catalog images. Enjoy!


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Old 11-11-19, 12:42 PM
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Did they really need the background of the man tying his shoe for the Grand Record shot?
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Old 11-11-19, 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by TenGrainBread
Did they really need the background of the man tying his shoe for the Grand Record shot?
I guess you missed the dude going hiking in bell-bottom trousers and dress shoes in the Grand Jubilee photo? French quirkiness

OP: great scans - I love the shot of Ocana all alone on the mountain. Thanks for posting them!!

DD
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Old 11-11-19, 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Drillium Dude
I guess you missed the dude going hiking in bell-bottom trousers and dress shoes in the Grand Jubilee photo? French quirkiness
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Old 11-11-19, 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by TenGrainBread
Did they really need the background of the man tying his shoe for the Grand Record shot?
Hey; it was the ‘70’s ! What can you say? I did all of my riding then in ridiculously short gym shorts, tennis shoes and a Tshirt. One strap on battery powered leg light for night riding. No helmet of course; they hadn’t really been invented then!
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Old 11-11-19, 01:35 PM
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I'm pretty sure the US market Motobécane lineup was an American creation, so I'd bet the catalog was, too. Motobécane bikes in France were more low-end and didn't carry prestige.
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Old 11-11-19, 01:49 PM
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bulgier.net - /pics/bike/Catalogs/Motobecane/
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Old 11-11-19, 02:04 PM
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Originally Posted by TenGrainBread
Did they really need the background of the man tying his shoe for the Grand Record shot?
Hey I have one of those bikes. That pic may inspire me to go out and buy some blue shoes like that,
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Old 11-11-19, 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by noglider
I'm pretty sure the US market Motobécane lineup was an American creation, so I'd bet the catalog was, too. Motobécane bikes in France were more low-end and didn't carry prestige.
Why do you say that? Curious. I worked in a bike shop in Paris in the mid 80s (la maison du velo) and the shop sold a lot of Motobecanes. Heck I bought one to commute around Paris in (531 frame and shimano 600 parts).
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Old 11-11-19, 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by bikemig
Why do you say that? Curious. I worked in a bike shop in Paris in the mid 80s (la maison du velo) and the shop sold a lot of Motobecanes. Heck I bought one to commute around Paris in (531 frame and shimano 600 parts).
Perhaps my sample size was too small to be accurate. Or perhaps being in France in 1981 was too soon and preceded the improvement of the brand.

Whoever the Americans were who made the US market of Motos was brilliant. And the French company earns credit for building the bikes so well. These are just my impressions and guesses. I'm not putting the maker down at all. I had two and liked them. One was an old rusty Mirage that I built as a beater/commuter. The other was my go-fast fun bike, a Le Champion with all most all Campagnolo Nuovo Record stuff and tubular tires. I even had the Le Champion repainted.
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Old 11-11-19, 02:16 PM
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I think many of the posters here tend to think that Motos are the most collectible of the major French brands. The pinstriping is classy and the campy drop outs make it a heck of a lot easier finding replacement derailleurs.
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Old 11-11-19, 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by noglider
Whoever the Americans were who made the US market of Motos was brilliant.
Reputedly, Ben Lawee of Italvega, Univega and Bertoni fame. The Retrogrouch: Ben Lawee Designed
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Old 11-11-19, 02:26 PM
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Right, I had forgotten it was Lawee.
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Old 11-11-19, 04:03 PM
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Cool scans.

Motobecanes are great bikes. I've got two, and would jump on a Le Champion or Team Champion in my size and price range.

And how 'bout that iconic headbadge...

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Old 11-13-19, 09:19 PM
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I have this catalog in my collection. It came with the '74 Jubile I bought new that summer. Slight change in that it had 52-40 tooth Stronglite 49 crankset. Mine was silver w/ red panels.

This bike created a love for the Motobecane line that my collection currently includes:
a '75 Grand Jubile, red with black panels
a '75 GJ mixte, also red w/black panels (love those seldom seen nervex lugs on the mixte)
a '75 Grand Record, silver w/black panels, totally original, one of the best I have seen, looks like it just rolled out of the factory
a '75 Grand Record, red w/black panels
a '74 Grand Record that will have all French components. Gugie brazed on some cantilever bosses for the NOS Mafac cantis that I'll use.
a '72 Grand Record, black w/red panels that is totally Campy including all the hard to find French campy parts
a '72 Le Champion, turquoise w/white panels
a '73 Le Champion, black w/red panels (frame only that I'm going to sell before Spring)

I think I'm hooked.
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Old 11-13-19, 09:34 PM
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^ Roll out some photos of those Motos!
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Old 11-13-19, 11:01 PM
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The Grand Jubilé picture fails to adequately capture its essence as a 650B rando bike.



Mine had Campagnolo rear dropouts. I'm pretty sure it's a '75.
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Old 11-14-19, 01:05 AM
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Old 11-14-19, 01:07 AM
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Old 11-14-19, 01:09 AM
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Old 11-14-19, 02:36 PM
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OK, I'll play:

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Old 11-14-19, 03:45 PM
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Another Motobecane bike porn thread?


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Old 11-14-19, 05:01 PM
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It seems to be evolving (devolving? ) into one!
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Old 11-14-19, 05:11 PM
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You say that like it's a bad thing......

Top
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Old 11-14-19, 07:10 PM
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Not at all! Here’s mine:
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