Total trash? Motobecane Mirage
04-03-19, 08:36 AM
#1
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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?
.
What say you?
.
04-03-19, 09:37 AM
#2
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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.
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.
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Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
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04-03-19, 12:26 PM
#3
Thrifty Bill
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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.
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.
Last edited by wrk101; 04-03-19 at 12:30 PM.
04-03-19, 05:14 PM
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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.
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.
04-03-19, 05:14 PM
#5
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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.
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.
04-03-19, 05:21 PM
#6
Thrifty Bill
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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.
https://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/...leur_1500.html
The V GT Luxe is my go to touring derailleur for the friction era.
https://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/...leur_1500.html
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Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
Last edited by wrk101; 04-03-19 at 05:37 PM.
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04-03-19, 06:02 PM
#7
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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)
The V GT Luxe is my go to touring derailleur for the friction era.
SunTour V GT Luxe derailleur (1500)
04-08-19, 12:09 PM
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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.
04-08-19, 06:13 PM
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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. 
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04-09-19, 09:23 AM
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04-09-19, 06:26 PM
#12
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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.
04-09-19, 07:53 PM
#13
Still learning
In NNJ or delivered to a NuYorker in Hoboken at the ferry, $135-$150, all day.
04-10-19, 09:48 AM
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Oh definitely. I once built up a Nomade frame (same steel as the Mirage) with decent 700c aluminum wheels, and it was a fun rider. I have a couple 27” alu rims that I plan to lace up to some old hubs so I can swap them for the steel wheels in my Mirage.
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04-16-19, 05:15 AM
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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.
At least it is back on the road and not in the scrap heap. There is a definite pleasure in that.
Last edited by kross57; 04-16-19 at 09:36 AM.
04-16-19, 09:14 AM
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Nice work, Kross57!
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04-18-19, 07:34 PM
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I fixed up a Super Mirage.
I liked it.
So, safety levers, stem shifters, kick stand,
my kind of bike.
I liked it.
So, safety levers, stem shifters, kick stand,
my kind of bike.
04-22-19, 12:16 PM
#19
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Fix it up. Ride it every year on Bastille Day. (july 14). Join up with your local Bastille day ride.
05-11-19, 03:49 AM
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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!
05-11-19, 10:25 AM
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Success!! That is good to hear.
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Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
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