1974 Motobecane Le Champion
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1974 Motobecane Le Champion
Starting this thread now while I stall on another classic that is in the way. I was alerted to this via the "Are you looking for one of these?" It was more than a 100 miles away but it was my size, original one owner (OOO) and likely as close as I will get to the pinnacle of Classic Motobecane Road Bikes at a reasonable price. My first Nuovo Record bike -- 59cm CTT and 58cm CTC The original owner bought it to commute to UCSC. The shop put on a shorter stem, an Avocet Racing WII, Suntour bar ends and a Perfect 14-28 FW to make the Santa Cruz hills a little easier. Before I picked it up, I was a little disappointed that the Universal brake levers were replaced with Weinmanns but the seller said that the shop told her that they were better. After a couple years of the costly inconvenience required to use silk tubulars, she had the shop rebuild the wheels with Super Champion clinchers -- rear DS 3 cross, NDS 2 cross tied and soldered. Brake cables are right-front and I didn't notice and ask her about that. The 2 bolt seat post is a bit short for any of my saddles other than an old B17 narrow that came on that other classic that is in the way.
Most perfect size. Dig the brake lever placement.
A little rust. It will go in the OA tub.
Paint saver reflective tape.
"Better than Universal levers."
The stem maybe long enough. The bars may need to go.
First pair of these bar ends.
Maybe this stop is centered.
She had a rack.
I'll put this saddle on my daughters 710.
I won't be rebuilding this wheel set until I need to.
Most perfect size. Dig the brake lever placement.
A little rust. It will go in the OA tub.
Paint saver reflective tape.
"Better than Universal levers."
The stem maybe long enough. The bars may need to go.
First pair of these bar ends.
Maybe this stop is centered.
She had a rack.
I'll put this saddle on my daughters 710.
I won't be rebuilding this wheel set until I need to.
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I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
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congratulations on this very nice find
previous owner lady must be tall to handle a fifty-niner
the cycle's 3ttt record stem is first generation which launched seventy-one
second generation launch was seventy-four
evidently the ffolke in pantin were using up existing stocks...
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congratulations on this very nice find
previous owner lady must be tall to handle a fifty-niner
the cycle's 3ttt record stem is first generation which launched seventy-one
second generation launch was seventy-four
evidently the ffolke in pantin were using up existing stocks...
-----
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Congratulations on joining the Le Champion club. They're really great riders. Definitely not uncommon to see them with Weinmann brake levers. Paint on mine is a little rough, so I can ride it anywhere without worrying about mussing a pristine paint job. looks like yours is similar. Enjoy that thing, man.
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Bikes: 1968 Raleigh Super Course, 1972 Raleigh Professional, 1975 Raleigh International, 1978 Raleigh Professional, 1985 Raleigh Prestige, 1972 Schwinn Paramount, 1980 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8, 1960 Carlton Franco Suisse Peugeot PX10, 1972 Motobecane Le Champ
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I’d have driven quite a distance for that Le Champ too. I like everything but the bar tape.
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I've never seen this before.
The rear had a rubber strap.
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I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
#6
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That bracket for the Pletscher rack is golden!
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Bath Time
Left the HS bits and the DS cup in place.
The Paint is taking a hit.
The Paint is taking a hit.
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#10
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I bought a LeChampion new in '74. The least expensive full Campy, sans brakes, I could find. With tax is was right around $400. And the bike shop custom geared it for Junior category racing at no xtra cost. Came with Clement Paris Roubaix cotton tires...which had an amazing ride@. For winter riding I added Bluemels fenders and leather toe cozies over the toe clips.
It was a nice riding bike but far from the criterium style racing bikes that would be popular by the later 70's.
Raced it at the inaugural Boul Mich Bike Rally in Chicago.
It was a nice riding bike but far from the criterium style racing bikes that would be popular by the later 70's.
Raced it at the inaugural Boul Mich Bike Rally in Chicago.
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congratulations on this very nice find
previous owner lady must be tall to handle a fifty-niner
the cycle's 3ttt record stem is first generation which launched seventy-one
second generation launch was seventy-four
evidently the ffolke in pantin were using up existing stocks...
-----
congratulations on this very nice find
previous owner lady must be tall to handle a fifty-niner
the cycle's 3ttt record stem is first generation which launched seventy-one
second generation launch was seventy-four
evidently the ffolke in pantin were using up existing stocks...
-----
not sure if changed in ‘73 or ‘74.
3ttt then came out with a more slender smooth version, I think manufactured concurrently. First saw that on a Masi GC with signature pantographing.
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Classtime, I’m so glad that bike went to someone who would appreciate it. I was afraid that it would end up being morphed into something other than it’s meant to be. It looks like you are “on it” . I look forward to the progress on this beauty.