1975 Motobecane le Champion - 55cm
05-11-20, 07:41 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
1975 Motobecane le Champion - 55cm
Sold
I need to start reducing my stable and am sadly parting with my 1975 Motobecane le Champion. I’ve had it for about 10 years and 850 miles and it looks to have very few miles before I owned it. Very minimal wear on any components and rims. A nice snappy ride with great shifting but I just don’t ride it enough to keep it from someone else who may appreciate it more. I would prefer not to ship but will do so if necessary. I’m willing to meet for a pick up within approximately a 100 mile radius of St Paul MN. Asking $800 plus shipping.
The frame is in very good shape with only a few minor paint chips in the lovely lilac color. No dents or damage. I believe the bike has spent its life indoors.
Note - the Brooks saddle does NOT go with the bike. I do have a well-worn B15 with a tear starting if you want it or can sell without.
Hopefully the link works for additional pictures. Otherwise PM me with your email and I’ll be happy to send additional photos.
Additional pictures:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3ibsHirRQiVoAUJb6
Reynolds 531
55 cm seat tube center to center
56.5 cm top tube center to center
Pretty much all Campagnolo components including:
170mm 52/42 crankset w/dust caps
Brake calipers, levers, and hoods
Derailleurs and shifters
Pedals w/dust caps
Cinelli stem and bars with string and varnish tape finish (when I got the bike it had riser bars so I bought the stem, bars and brake levers to bring it back more to its original state)
Wheels:
Miche hubs Mavic MA40 hard anodized gray 700c rims Suntour Winner 14-24 FW Like new 23C Pasela Tour guard tires
I need to start reducing my stable and am sadly parting with my 1975 Motobecane le Champion. I’ve had it for about 10 years and 850 miles and it looks to have very few miles before I owned it. Very minimal wear on any components and rims. A nice snappy ride with great shifting but I just don’t ride it enough to keep it from someone else who may appreciate it more. I would prefer not to ship but will do so if necessary. I’m willing to meet for a pick up within approximately a 100 mile radius of St Paul MN. Asking $800 plus shipping.
The frame is in very good shape with only a few minor paint chips in the lovely lilac color. No dents or damage. I believe the bike has spent its life indoors.
Note - the Brooks saddle does NOT go with the bike. I do have a well-worn B15 with a tear starting if you want it or can sell without.
Hopefully the link works for additional pictures. Otherwise PM me with your email and I’ll be happy to send additional photos.
Additional pictures:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3ibsHirRQiVoAUJb6
Reynolds 531
55 cm seat tube center to center
56.5 cm top tube center to center
Pretty much all Campagnolo components including:
170mm 52/42 crankset w/dust caps
Brake calipers, levers, and hoods
Derailleurs and shifters
Pedals w/dust caps
Cinelli stem and bars with string and varnish tape finish (when I got the bike it had riser bars so I bought the stem, bars and brake levers to bring it back more to its original state)
Wheels:
Miche hubs Mavic MA40 hard anodized gray 700c rims Suntour Winner 14-24 FW Like new 23C Pasela Tour guard tires
__________________
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
Last edited by badger_biker; 09-29-20 at 06:57 PM. Reason: I think I had the year wrong - can't seem to change the title.
05-12-20, 03:49 PM
#2
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Look at those Fresh appearing rims...
Handsome bike. Tough Market even for a bike in excellent shape.
Handsome bike. Tough Market even for a bike in excellent shape.
05-14-20, 09:39 AM
#5
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I had that bike many years ago. Same color. Mine was too big for me, so I sold it. This one is my size. I'm in no position to buy a bike, so thanks for the chance to dream.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
05-14-20, 09:42 AM
#6
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This bike is beautiful. I promised myself that I wouldn't buy any new old bikes this year. I've already fallen off the wagon 2x (a 1968 Schwinn paramount and a 1971 Whitcomb).
Good thing I bought a 70s Motobecane Grand Record last year or I'd be tempted to fall off the wagon a 3d time this year,
GLWS
Good thing I bought a 70s Motobecane Grand Record last year or I'd be tempted to fall off the wagon a 3d time this year,
GLWS
Last edited by bikemig; 05-14-20 at 09:59 AM.
06-02-20, 08:15 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Bump and bonus
Bump and adding the Silca Impero pump with Campy head to sweeten the deal.
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Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
06-03-20, 02:21 PM
#8
Semper Fi
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1974 or 1975? You have both years listed.
Bill
Bill
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Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
06-03-20, 10:47 PM
#9
verktyg
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1974-75 Moto Le Champion
My heart stopped when I read the listing... I thought that it said 1974 Motobecane Team Champion - 55cm... My last grail/bucket list bike. 
There wasn't much difference between the 1974, 75 and 76 models except for some of the components plus the 1974 bikes came in lilac, 1975 in lilac or silver while the 1976 bikes were silver only:
1974: 3TTT bars & stem, Brooks Pro saddle, Universal Model 61 center pull brakes. They came in 21", 23", 24" & 25" C-to-T
1975 & 76: Philippe bars & stem, Ideale 2001 saddle, Universal Model 68 side pull brakes. Available in 21", 22", 23", 24" and 25" size frames
1974 Spec Sheet
1975 Spec Sheet
I have a 1975 56cm lilac frame. It's made of light gauge .9/.6mm Reynolds 531 tubing. I need to move it to the front of the build line.
I had another LC frame that I'd previously bought. It was supposed to be a 56cm (56cm) but it was a 58cm (58cm)... To big for me so I sold it.
verktyg
There wasn't much difference between the 1974, 75 and 76 models except for some of the components plus the 1974 bikes came in lilac, 1975 in lilac or silver while the 1976 bikes were silver only:
1974: 3TTT bars & stem, Brooks Pro saddle, Universal Model 61 center pull brakes. They came in 21", 23", 24" & 25" C-to-T
1975 & 76: Philippe bars & stem, Ideale 2001 saddle, Universal Model 68 side pull brakes. Available in 21", 22", 23", 24" and 25" size frames
1974 Spec Sheet
1975 Spec Sheet
I have a 1975 56cm lilac frame. It's made of light gauge .9/.6mm Reynolds 531 tubing. I need to move it to the front of the build line.
I had another LC frame that I'd previously bought. It was supposed to be a 56cm (56cm) but it was a 58cm (58cm)... To big for me so I sold it.
verktyg
__________________
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Last edited by verktyg; 06-03-20 at 10:54 PM.
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06-05-20, 08:28 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I’m pretty sure it is 1975. I had a typo in the title and couldn’t seem to change it. Both years list Universal brakes by mine has Campy. Mid year production change maybe?
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Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
06-05-20, 08:41 PM
#11
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Title fixed
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06-05-20, 09:05 PM
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06-06-20, 10:57 AM
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-----
are brake centres 52mm?
they appear to be; asking because short reach launched in '74 iirc.
-----
are brake centres 52mm?
they appear to be; asking because short reach launched in '74 iirc.
-----
06-16-20, 10:48 PM
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06-19-20, 02:24 AM
#15
señor miembro
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That's a really nice deal on a beautiful bike, and I would think it could sell in Madison pretty easily.
One way to lower the price to $650 (locally) is to use KKT pedals, a Nuovo Record rear mech, and a less expensive racing saddle (old Turbo, etc.). But it looks like you may have already changed the saddle.
Everything would pop with brand new Newbaum's cotton tape. Black, of course.
One way to lower the price to $650 (locally) is to use KKT pedals, a Nuovo Record rear mech, and a less expensive racing saddle (old Turbo, etc.). But it looks like you may have already changed the saddle.
Everything would pop with brand new Newbaum's cotton tape. Black, of course.
06-29-20, 07:53 PM
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Beautiful bike!
What bar tape is that?
What bar tape is that?
07-04-20, 09:04 PM
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07-09-20, 09:48 AM
#18
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Thanks! Sorry for the slow reply - I retired at the end of May so my screen time is way down this summer😊. That is a Salsa bar tape. I think I got it through a Trek LBS. I liked the color.
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Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
07-09-20, 11:37 AM
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