HTupolev

So someone wants to get rid of a bike they got in the 1970s, and I'll probably end up picking it up this evening. I'm not sure what it is. It says Motobecane on it, and it definitely has a frame and more than one wheel. Might be a Nomade..? I dunno. Pics to follow, probably.

Gary Fountain

Sounds like something to get excited about.

HTupolev

So it did turn out to be a new bike day. And it was a Nomade.



Weighs just over 30 pounds as shown. Maybe I'll get it below the 30lb threshold by removing the bent kickstand.

The guy says he got the bike in '72 or '73... based on the Huret Challenger derailleur, I think he's likely guessing a year or two early. The Huret Challenger seems to have come out in 1974 (?), and the first Motobecane catalog where the Nomade has it is the 1975 model year.



The freewheel is, unfortunately, seized. The bottom bracket is the opposite of seized, it's got some rattle.



"Weinmann 610 Vainqueur 999" is a remarkably long model name to scribble on a faceplate.



Someone installed a cheese grater where the rim goes.





I need some help with the BB shell number. Is it 609 or 609? Super useful information!

HTupolev

I worked on the rear wheel today.

Despite the freewheel being seized, it was far from seized to the hub. With only a moderate tug on my big crescent wrench, it broke loose and spun right off.

The freewheel is a French-threaded SunTour. Funky. Dribbling a bit of Tri-Flow at it got things moving. But, the bearing is somewhat loose. I tried and failed to open the freewheel up with a pin spanner, and I don't have a punch, so... I guess it's time for me to get a punch.

I attacked the rim with some aluminum foil and diet coke. Here's a before and after:



I didn't get things spotless, but it's a definite improvement!

ryansu

On a entry level Moto I wouldn't hesitate to get some Alloy wheels which would take care of your French FW issue/challenge and the cheese grater rims, plus they are lighter and stop better in the rain. 27" wheels can be found on Amazon (wheelsmith) or Velomine (Sun rims). Have fun with the project those 70s French bikes ride smooth - I think it has something to do with that lovely curved fork. I restored an early 70s Mirage last year and car wax really brought out the shine in its paint. Nice Score OP.



73 ish MB Mirage

the sci guy 

The blue is gorgeous. A sharp looking bike 100%. Hope it cleans up nice.

Gary Fountain

Well done. It looks like a worthwhile project.

HTupolev

I've thought about it. For the time being, I want to keep this relatively minimal... If I do put new wheels together, I might re-space the rear end and also switch to 700c.

The freewheel resisted my efforts to service it today, though. The cone is stuck tight.

ryansu

You might be able to source a used rear 27" wheel from Bike works fairly cheaply if the cup continues to be an issue and you can probably find a standard metric threaded one that will take a standard metric FW (ie not French) they tend to have wheels in the warehouse iirc.

HTupolev

I hope the BB is salvageable, because these things cleaned up surprisingly well.

ryansu

BF member Randy Jawa Mytenspeeds site has a helpful ariticle on servicing BBs I found very useful. Nice job on the bash guard and chain ring btw

noglider 

A worthy project. Those derailleurs are surprisingly good.

I recommend against taking the freewheel apart if you can avoid it. But if you really must, the dust cap is reverse-threaded.

A French-threaded freewheel is a shame, and it's yet another reason to consider replacing the wheels.

non-fixie 

+1.

So far I have always (knock on wood) been able to get them back to life by flushing them with WD40 and re-lubing them with sewing machine oil. The procedure I follow:

1. soak in, or spray with WD40 and spin them until:
a) the fluid flowing out is no longer black, and
b) it spins freely, and
c) it has a nice, clean, metallic, tingly sound

2. let it sit for a while on the kitchen counter top on some paper to let most of the WD40 find its way out

3. have a drink (or two)

4. keep dripping light oil in the cracks and spin until:
a) the sound becomes more subdued, and
b) you feel like it looks, feels and sounds like a really nice freewheel

non-fixie 

Oh, and nice bike! Forgot to mention that.

HTupolev

A bit of an update.

BB is back together and adjusted about as well as it's going to be. The races are smooth-ish but have some extreme lopsided-shaped wear, so... well, I'll worry about the situation if it doesn't just work.

Since the bearings in the old pedals were toast and didn't appear serviceable, I got new pedals.

The old kickstand was banged up so I decided to just replace it as well. The new one will need to be slightly trimmed.



The bike will hopefully be rideable once I install the chain and cable things up. I think I'll need to modify the cable ends, at least for the shifters... the originals have a funky flattened shape.

HTupolev

Haven't ridden it yet, but it's probably rideable, more or less.

I did the worst cloth wrap ever, but whatever.

non-fixie 

Looks spiffy!

noglider 

Nice plugs.