Show your French bikes!
#3151
Bike Butcher of Portland
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Location: Portland, OR
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Motobecane Le Champion
I bought this frame at Eroica last year. I checked out the Saturday flea market, left without buying anything and rode back to il Palazzo where @Andy_K asked why I didn't buy the Le Champion frame that was in my size. I raised my hand, Andy threw me his keys, and I went back to pick it up. This 3 day weekend I decided to put it together. The wheel didn't sit centered in the fork, a bit of massaging with the standard tools of persuasion fixed that. I pulled and cleaned the BB, then welded locktited the fixed cup, as I'd seen Andy unwind a couple french BB's in the past couple of years. The frame came with Campy BB and HS, which made life a bit easier. I bought a 7 speed IRD freewheel and new tires, other than that it was a parts bin build. First ride today with Andy, needs a small tweak in the front derailleur, reused chain needs some oil, but other than that it's a quick handling, swift climber. Some particulars: VO 50.4 BCD crankset, 46-30, SunTour barcons, SunTour Cyclone first gen GT rear derailleur, Gen 2 front derailleur. Mavic MA40 rims, Rene Herse 700c x 32mm tires. Nitto 44mm wide bars, Technomic stem that fit into the metric steerer without mod. Brooks Imperial saddle.
First ride today was with Andy up our Bald Peak route. Andy brought his 7 iron.
First ride today was with Andy up our Bald Peak route. Andy brought his 7 iron.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Last edited by gugie; 02-18-20 at 09:46 PM.
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#3152
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@gugie, nice Moto! I envy your parts bin.
I agree. There is something about this bike - size, geometry, magic voodoo - that is as right for me as I have encountered. I am very fond of it. Here it is sans pooch:
#3153
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Niagara Region, Canada
Posts: 1,451
Bikes: 1970s Alex Singer, 1960s Peugeot PX 10, 1960s Bertin C37, 1973 Carre Bertin C 37, 1972 Carlton Kermesse, 1981 Peugeot PX 14 Super Competition
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BFisher-
Thank you for the drive side profile. They are light for being a Vitus 888 main frame with hi-tensile elsewhere but, like Super Courses, they ride beyond their spec point.
Thank you for the drive side profile. They are light for being a Vitus 888 main frame with hi-tensile elsewhere but, like Super Courses, they ride beyond their spec point.
#3154
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
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I bought this frame at Eroica last year. I checked out the Saturday flea market, left without buying anything and rode back to il Palazzo where @Andy_K asked why I didn't buy the Le Champion frame that was in my side. I raised my hand, Andy threw me his keys, and I went back to pick it up. This 3 day weekend I decided to put it together. The wheel didn't sit centered in the fork, a bit of massaging with the standard tools of persuasion fixed that. I pulled and cleaned the BB, then welded locktited the fixed cup, as I'd seen Andy unwind a couple french BB's in the past couple of years. The frame came with Campy BB and HS, which made life a bit easier. I bought a 7 speed IRD freewheel and new tires, other than that it was a parts bin build. First ride today with Andy, needs a small tweak in the front derailleur, reused chain needs some oil, but other than that it's a quick handling, swift climber. Some particulars: VO 50.4 BCD crankset, 46-30, SunTour barcons, SunTour Cyclone first gen GT rear derailleur, Gen 2 front derailleur. Mavic G40 rims, Rene Herse 700c x 32mm tires. Nitto 44mm wide bars, Technomic stem that fit into the metric steerer without mod. Brooks Imperial saddle.
First ride today was with Andy up our Bald Peak route. Andy brought his 7 iron.
First ride today was with Andy up our Bald Peak route. Andy brought his 7 iron.
#3155
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
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Locktite 222, cause that's what I had.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#3156
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this reminds me of it.
#3157
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
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Speaking of French bikes, I did my first non-commute ride of the year on this lovely piece of French steel, '83 (IIRC) PF10, nee PFN10. (The N signified clincher tires but this machine rides on sew-ups.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#3158
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The No.1 pump one could say was a CONcept.
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#3160
tantum vehi
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Flathead Valley, MT
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Gorgeous! Is it a repaint?
__________________
1970 Gitane TdF; 1973 Gitane TdF
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
#3161
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 108
Bikes: https://www.ipernity.com/doc/286349/album/550107
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My 1987 Mécacycle «Chrono» (posted here before but now with revised stem and brakeset). Fillet brazed Reynolds 753. 20.1 lbs
Full details and more pix here:
ipernity: c. 1987 Mécacycle «Chrono» by Peter Kohler
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA
Full details and more pix here:
ipernity: c. 1987 Mécacycle «Chrono» by Peter Kohler
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA
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#3162
Full Member
Thank you! It is not a repaint, and all decals except the Nervex and Reynolds decals are original. Lots of small touch-ups to both black and white. I put more pics on the PX10 thread (and a couple of the frrame alone on the before and after thread) and you can see small scratches, etc., that I did not polish out because I did not want to risk removing too much original paint!
#3163
Full Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 243
Bikes: 1985 Roberts SLX, Mercian 531, 1984 Torpado SLX,1981/82 Peugeot PSV-10, 1978 Charlie Roberts full touring, 1970 Charlie Roberts 531 road.
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Mecacycle
My 1987 Mécacycle «Chrono» (posted here before but now with revised stem and brakeset). Fillet brazed Reynolds 753. 20.1 lbs
Full details and more pix here:
ipernity: c. 1987 Mécacycle «Chrono» by Peter Kohler
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA
Full details and more pix here:
ipernity: c. 1987 Mécacycle «Chrono» by Peter Kohler
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA
#3164
tantum vehi
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Here's a bike that sort of fell into my lap from CL. It had been advertised as a "Record du Monde" (don't they all say that?) and I had thought of just buying it for parts. But when I looked at the decal indicating Super Competition, my eyebrow raised.
Met the guy and it turned out to be his father's bike and he had been a local racer/club organizer back in the 80's or something. The first thing I noticed was that he had switched the brakes to be right/front - not something the average Joe does - so that gave me some hope of the bike being in decent condition. However, it had been hanging for quite some time and has some rust issues on the tubes, but everything looks very serviceable - even the 23mm tires stayed pumped up when I got it home.
Looks like only the saddle was changed out to an Avocet Touring I. Thank god they spec'ed a Laprade seat post as it was the only thing with a date code: I-79. Best I can tell, based on brochures and the late 1979 date code, is that it is in fact a 1980 model PXN10E "Super Competition" - my first complete, rideable PX-10 And I guess I won't be trying to put fenders on this sexy lady...
Seller's pics, not mine:
Met the guy and it turned out to be his father's bike and he had been a local racer/club organizer back in the 80's or something. The first thing I noticed was that he had switched the brakes to be right/front - not something the average Joe does - so that gave me some hope of the bike being in decent condition. However, it had been hanging for quite some time and has some rust issues on the tubes, but everything looks very serviceable - even the 23mm tires stayed pumped up when I got it home.
Looks like only the saddle was changed out to an Avocet Touring I. Thank god they spec'ed a Laprade seat post as it was the only thing with a date code: I-79. Best I can tell, based on brochures and the late 1979 date code, is that it is in fact a 1980 model PXN10E "Super Competition" - my first complete, rideable PX-10 And I guess I won't be trying to put fenders on this sexy lady...
Seller's pics, not mine:
__________________
1970 Gitane TdF; 1973 Gitane TdF
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
#3165
Senior Member
My 1987 Mécacycle «Chrono» (posted here before but now with revised stem and brakeset). Fillet brazed Reynolds 753. 20.1 lbs
Full details and more pix here:
ipernity: c. 1987 Mécacycle «Chrono» by Peter Kohler
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA
Full details and more pix here:
ipernity: c. 1987 Mécacycle «Chrono» by Peter Kohler
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA
Peter, Only to repeat: What an incredibly fine machine you've found. I also appreciate your detailed write-up. That said, this does look a tad small for you. ; -)
Thanks, again, for posting this.
Owen
__________________
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
#3166
Junior Member
Gitane TDF Upgrade! (...my surprise garage find...)
Last week, while scouring Craigslist for appropriate parts and additions for my ’73 Gitane Tour de France, I spotted this Peugeot PX-10 mixed in with a number of other frames being sold off.
The Stronglight 93 crankset, and unusual seatpost caught my attention, even though the frame was too large for me. I bought it for $20, mainly because the bottom bracket and headset were smooth as new, despite the “ridden hard, and put up wet” appearance of the crank/chain rings.
The rear derailleur also caught my attention - maybe a Simplex SX410? But I didn’t pay too much attention to it at first, as is was covered in decades of grease and probably was about as shot as the chain rings. My bike has a Simplex Criterium rear that is virtually new and shifts just fine, thank you…and anything even approaching later Simplex models, particularly SLJs, are pretty much overkill.
But then the grease and grit came off. Whaaa...an SLJ 5500.
Is it functional? Yes! A little scraped up, but wow!
So I decided to install it and give it a test drive before putting it up for sale...big mistake!
So now I’m on a new quest to find a front SLJ…it never ends. But I love these moments!
The Stronglight 93 crankset, and unusual seatpost caught my attention, even though the frame was too large for me. I bought it for $20, mainly because the bottom bracket and headset were smooth as new, despite the “ridden hard, and put up wet” appearance of the crank/chain rings.
The rear derailleur also caught my attention - maybe a Simplex SX410? But I didn’t pay too much attention to it at first, as is was covered in decades of grease and probably was about as shot as the chain rings. My bike has a Simplex Criterium rear that is virtually new and shifts just fine, thank you…and anything even approaching later Simplex models, particularly SLJs, are pretty much overkill.
But then the grease and grit came off. Whaaa...an SLJ 5500.
Is it functional? Yes! A little scraped up, but wow!
So I decided to install it and give it a test drive before putting it up for sale...big mistake!
So now I’m on a new quest to find a front SLJ…it never ends. But I love these moments!
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#3167
Junior Member
Gitane TDF Upgrade (...last shot...)
...oh and here's my '73 Gitane Tour de France...for some reason I couldn't add it to the end of the last post...
#3168
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Greenville SC
Posts: 4,117
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane Grand Jubile, 2020 Holdsworth Competition, 2022 Giant Trance 29 3
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Guess I haven't posted in here yet.
1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile
Lambert crank, VO 44 tooth ring, 17t fixed cog.
I've got a set of Huret Jubile derailleurs and shift levers, but didn't happen to have a freewheel that the RD could handle, so I decided to make it a fixed gear.
It will likely be getting a set of porteur bars and flat pedals soon for some bike pathing expeditions now that the trail is clear of snow.
Lovely riding bike.
1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile
Lambert crank, VO 44 tooth ring, 17t fixed cog.
I've got a set of Huret Jubile derailleurs and shift levers, but didn't happen to have a freewheel that the RD could handle, so I decided to make it a fixed gear.
It will likely be getting a set of porteur bars and flat pedals soon for some bike pathing expeditions now that the trail is clear of snow.
Lovely riding bike.
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#3169
Senior Member
Last week, while scouring Craigslist for appropriate parts and additions for my ’73 Gitane Tour de France, I spotted this Peugeot PX-10 mixed in with a number of other frames being sold off.
The Stronglight 93 crankset, and unusual seatpost caught my attention, even though the frame was too large for me. I bought it for $20, mainly because the bottom bracket and headset were smooth as new, despite the “ridden hard, and put up wet” appearance of the crank/chain rings.
The rear derailleur also caught my attention - maybe a Simplex SX410? But I didn’t pay too much attention to it at first, as is was covered in decades of grease and probably was about as shot as the chain rings. My bike has a Simplex Criterium rear that is virtually new and shifts just fine, thank you…and anything even approaching later Simplex models, particularly SLJs, are pretty much overkill.
But then the grease and grit came off. Whaaa...an SLJ 5500.
Is it functional? Yes! A little scraped up, but wow!
So I decided to install it and give it a test drive before putting it up for sale...big mistake!
So now I’m on a new quest to find a front SLJ…it never ends. But I love these moments!
The Stronglight 93 crankset, and unusual seatpost caught my attention, even though the frame was too large for me. I bought it for $20, mainly because the bottom bracket and headset were smooth as new, despite the “ridden hard, and put up wet” appearance of the crank/chain rings.
The rear derailleur also caught my attention - maybe a Simplex SX410? But I didn’t pay too much attention to it at first, as is was covered in decades of grease and probably was about as shot as the chain rings. My bike has a Simplex Criterium rear that is virtually new and shifts just fine, thank you…and anything even approaching later Simplex models, particularly SLJs, are pretty much overkill.
But then the grease and grit came off. Whaaa...an SLJ 5500.
Is it functional? Yes! A little scraped up, but wow!
So I decided to install it and give it a test drive before putting it up for sale...big mistake!
So now I’m on a new quest to find a front SLJ…it never ends. But I love these moments!
__________________
I.C.
I.C.
#3170
Senior Member
Guess I haven't posted in here yet.
1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile
Lambert crank, VO 44 tooth ring, 17t fixed cog.
I've got a set of Huret Jubile derailleurs and shift levers, but didn't happen to have a freewheel that the RD could handle, so I decided to make it a fixed gear.
It will likely be getting a set of porteur bars and flat pedals soon for some bike pathing expeditions now that the trail is clear of snow.
Lovely riding bike.
1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile
Lambert crank, VO 44 tooth ring, 17t fixed cog.
I've got a set of Huret Jubile derailleurs and shift levers, but didn't happen to have a freewheel that the RD could handle, so I decided to make it a fixed gear.
It will likely be getting a set of porteur bars and flat pedals soon for some bike pathing expeditions now that the trail is clear of snow.
Lovely riding bike.
__________________
I.C.
I.C.
#3172
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Greenville SC
Posts: 4,117
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane Grand Jubile, 2020 Holdsworth Competition, 2022 Giant Trance 29 3
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I can't remember exactly what it is, but there is a serial number stamped into the bottom bracket that includes a "76" in a format that seems to imply that number is part of a date code. That's honestly my best guess, as I bought it as a frameset plus a few extra parts that did not appear to be original.
I know it's not a really early one due to the relatively low offset fork, but from what I've seen in the catalogs it could be anywhere from a 1974-1976.
Also, it's rather curious to me that the seatstay caps are not painted. Every catalog picture of a GJ I've seen has seatstay caps that match the headtube, but this one doesn't have it. The only other picture I've seen of one without paint was from someone here on BF who identified theirs as a 1976.
So, I don't really know, but that's my best guess.
#3173
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
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Here is the Motobecane Grand Record 650b, gussied up for commuting. I overcame my aesthetic resistance and mounted the Planet Bike rack for panniers. I thought I would reconfigure this bike again, but I remembered how much I like it as is, so it will stay this way for a while.
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#3175
Senior Member