Motobecane Identification?
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Motobecane Identification?
I've looked through catalogs and I've searched the forums but can't figure out what model of Motobecane I have. I can't seem to narrow it down based on the images and specs in the old catalogs. There is no paint left on the frame and no markings of any kind that I can tell beside the Motobecane headbadge on the front. On a lot of the catalog pictures the rear brake cable is routed on top of the top tube, but on mine it goes on the bottom of the top tube. I also am not sure if they are the stock handlebars or not. I saw some in the catalogs that had similar handlebars.
Distinguishing features that I think would be important:
Suntour stem shifters
Suntour V-GT Derailleur
Pics
Distinguishing features that I think would be important:
Suntour stem shifters
Suntour V-GT Derailleur
Pics
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The frame is typical of a mid-1970s Mirage, including that rear brake cable routing.
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Awesome thanks. So those are low-end probably, right?
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Low end-ish, but not the lowest end in the Motobecane lineup. Probably the most popular Motobecane, sales-wise, and not a bad bike at all, based on what owners here have had to say about them.
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More pictures, please, with close-ups?
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I will get more pics as soon as I get home. Close ups of what specifically?
#8
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Fork crown, head tube, bottom bracket, seat lug, fork tips, rear dropouts.
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Here's one I already have online. I'll get the rest when I get home.
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Here's a link to the gallery of my bikes. All the close ups are at the end.
https://picasaweb.google.com/klundry/...eat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/klundry/...eat=directlink
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OK, I think it's a Mirage, because the hubs look original, and the rear hub has nuts, not a quick release.
Putting the front basket on will be tricky, but it's worth trying. So are fenders. I think it will make a nice utility bike. And do some experiments: see what happens to the handling when you add weight on the back and on the front. I want to see where the bike prefers the weight.
As I said in the other thread, my Mirage preferred it on the front, which was a surprise. Handling actually improved with weight on the front. And the bike turned more by steering than by leaning. I notice French mopeds are like that, too.
Putting the front basket on will be tricky, but it's worth trying. So are fenders. I think it will make a nice utility bike. And do some experiments: see what happens to the handling when you add weight on the back and on the front. I want to see where the bike prefers the weight.
As I said in the other thread, my Mirage preferred it on the front, which was a surprise. Handling actually improved with weight on the front. And the bike turned more by steering than by leaning. I notice French mopeds are like that, too.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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Interesting. Well, I'll let you know how it handles when when/if I get that basket on. I've had things on the rear rack, but nothing too heavy. I honestly haven't noticed a difference with stuff on the rack.
Are you into mopeds too? I used to be really into them, and I still kind of am I just don't have the money to buy them. Bikes are cheaper, haha. I had a Murray moped for a while, which is a rebadged Puch. I also had a Tomos that my dad has now and currently I have a Honda MB5. It's not technically a moped, but it has a 50cc engine.
Are you into mopeds too? I used to be really into them, and I still kind of am I just don't have the money to buy them. Bikes are cheaper, haha. I had a Murray moped for a while, which is a rebadged Puch. I also had a Tomos that my dad has now and currently I have a Honda MB5. It's not technically a moped, but it has a 50cc engine.
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No, I've never driven or owned a moped. Way back in 1981, I took a three month bike tour of Europe. One month of it was in France, and lots of folks ride mopeds there. Or at least they did then. I noticed the way they handled just by observing. People would turn the handlebars and hardly leaned at all. I'm sure there's a reason they're designed that way, though I don't know it.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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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.