Sb23539

Finally got my 10 posts done so here are the pics. I’m trying to figure out the year and model of this bike. I poured through most of the online catalogues I could find, but to no avail. I’d like to point out the location of the shifter knobs(?), they are at the end of the handlebar. I have not seen this in the catalogs. I’m looking to restore the bike so, it would be nice to know year, model, and value of the restored bike. Any info would be wonderful. Thank you!

serta1

Hello. You have a Mixte frame Motobecane. I have one too. I have the Sales Brochures from 1975 to 1980 and I believe that this bike predates 1975. Good luck with the restoration.

Livefish

Sb23539, Motobècane offered the mixte (unisex) frame across various models. Yours appears to be either a Nomade or a Mirage. U.S. import models after 1973 had a riveted metal head badge. That yours has the rectangular plastic badge makes it either a bike produced for the European market or a U.S. bike from 1970-73. I'd guess the latter. With 1020 steel tubing, chromed fork crown and "socks", Dia-Compe center-pull brakes and the "deluxe" saddle it would appear to be a Mirage mixte from 1970-73.

The bike looks to me to be all or mostly original. If you clean up the barrels of those high flange hubs you'll likely find a stamped two-digit year code. Also, if those are Rigida Chromix steel wheels, you may find a stamped year code inside of a diamond shape <72>. Either of these will tell you the bike's maximum age.

The Shimano / SunTour handlebar-end controls (barcons) are an interesting detail that may or may not be original. These were just beginning to appear in the European bike market in the early 70s. I own a 1970-71 Motobècane Grand Record (U.S. import) that came to me equipped with barcons and I'll never know for sure if Motobècane produced the bike this way "off-catalog" or if they were added (possibly new) by a dealer in the U.S. or by a previous owner. They take a little time to get used to but work quite well.

Motobècane was known for its paint quality in the 70s. With some good cleaning wax and some elbow grease this metallic green accented in gold can be absolutely stunning. Enjoy!

Sb23539

Thank you VERY much for all of your detailed information. I can’t wait to fix it up. Do you have any recommendations for cleaning the rust off the wheel rims etc? I was planning to use pretty fine steel wool.

thank you!!

Gonzobuster

I am looking for that magic potion, too.

Only used Nevr Dull and a toothbrush with cleaning powder/milk (for stainless steel in the kitchen), but nothing has any magic effect.

Thinking about that Barkeeper‘s stuff.

Livefish

My favorite method for removing light rust from steel and chromed steel is to soak the part in apple cider vinegar for 1-2 hours and then while still wet lightly brush away rust with a brush made with brass bristles (softer than steel). For aluminum parts go right for the Mothers Mag Polish for miraculous results.

Livefish

No magic potion, but my favorite method for removing light rust from steel and chromed steel is to soak the part in apple cider vinegar for 1-2 hours and then while still wet lightly brush away rust with a brush made with brass bristles (softer than steel).

Dave Stromberge

If this is the wrong thread for this, I apologize.

Hello, I just found a Motobecane that I am trying to put a date on. I've read the highlights of this thread, but I'm confused because my bike seems to pre-date everything posted here. It also has a seat tube decal that I've not seen elsewhere. The stamped serial number on the dropout is 0878896... starting with a zero, not a 1 like others. The inside of both dropouts has 45916. There is a faint remnant of Mirage on the top tube. I have the derailleaurs, I just removed them for cleaning. I think the rear may be a Huret Luxe Speciale, but I'm far from an expert. My bicycle collecting is almost exclusively American made balloon tire (and earlier) stuff.

Thanks for any help!

SurferRosa

Here's where I start: bulgier.net - /pics/bike/catalogs/motobecane/

Livefish

If you post some photos of the full bike including the head badge and any decals showing tubing material I'll try to help.

Dave Stromberge

Unfortunately it's not allowed on this forum for a new member. I tried attaching, and also hosting the pics from my own server and it's a no go :-(

EDIT: Let's see if this works... not linked, so you'll have to copy past to your browser URL.

www.xframechevy.com/private/Motobecane1.jpg
www.xframechevy.com/private/Motobecane2.jpg
www.xframechevy.com/private/Motobecane3.jpg

Dave Stromberge

Thanks... I saw that link somewhere else, but the website is down. I found the scans on another site though (Links not allowed on this website for a new member). The scans are very fuzzy for the 1970-72 catalog, so I can't see details to verify.

Dave Stromberge

Unfortunately, as a new member I'm not allowed to post pics or links.

SurferRosa

​​​​​​Hmmm. My link above didn't work just now. But when I google search "bulgier motobecane" and click the search result link, it does work.

smontanaro 

You should be able to post to the gallery. Poke the "Gallery" link in the upper left...

Dave Stromberge

Thanks! The pics are already there from my previous posting attempt. Actually, in there twice!

Linking to my gallery of course, is also illegal. But, it's at this websites URL /g/album/19520153

dballou

Hi everyone, this is my first post here so if I should be in a different thread, let me know and I will move.

Anyways, I bought a Motobecane single speed a few months ago and I'm trying to figure out how old the frame is. They guy I bought it from wasn't sure, but he thinks it's pre Bikesdirect era. All the components are newer so no help there. I looked though the old Motobecane catalogue scans and couldn't find much. That makes me think that it's just a Bikesdirect bike but I really really hope it's not. I can't post photos or links in messages yet so I've made a Imgur album with all the serial numbers and badges included.

If you don't want to open the album, the serial numbers I can find are

• T7B27-0
• IAS6080620
• BI-1585

Any input is appreciated, thanks!

Album here: imgur.com/a/PkicoGy

SurferRosa

@dballou, it's a post-french, post-vintage Motobécane frame. The original company did not market a mass production track bike in the '80s.

dballou

Dangit, I was hoping it was vintage. Oh well, it's still a really fun bike. Thanks for your help!

artpalm

Hi Everyone,
Reading this thread has helped me estimate ages of two of my MB's.
I would like to add numbers from two Sprintours. Haven't seen this model mentioned much.
Both found on the bottom brackets:

I bought this one in Germany at the PX in 1978. Restored last year.
4259450 and 803
I just found this one here in Florida:
4173017 and 127

The frames, size and color are identical.
​​​​​​​I have lots of photos and three other MB's.

nikeairmax56

Hello, can you help me to find the right model for my Motobecane? The serial number is 205601. The other number is 3209. And other sign is B3. If you need more information or pictures please write me. Thank you in advance. Best regards, Nick.
You can see pictures of my bicycle here: www.pinterest.com/ngspasov/motobecane-sprint-equipo-pro-la-redoute-sp-pro/

Charles Wahl

Here's a frame that I bought from JunkYardBike a few years ago now. The photo is his, when he'd built it up with a (nice) "mishmash of available parts". Serial number on outside of left rear dropout is 1773730, and also stamped on inside of right rear dropout is 64016. I guess it didn't tickle his fancy enough, but I'm looking forward to building it up -- it has clearance for 38 mm tires at 700C, and 42 at 650B, so we'll see what happens. I believe it's a 1973, based on others who've posted "LCs" with similar colors in this thread and this one.

oneclick 

Just picked up a Dynamax Concorde, which I understand to be a Motobecane product; 64216 on the inside right dropout, 340 on the outside right dropout, didn't see anything on the BB shell (yet). Had to scrape paint off to see those numbers, the whole thing was rattle-can painted, frame, fork, headset, hubs, spokes, rims, gears, gear cables, crank, pedals, pretty much everything - but whoever did it masked (crudely) most of the decals. Has Stronglight 5-pin crankset, NR gears (rear is Pat. 72) and shifters, Normandy gold-label Competition hubs with Weinmann 27" rims, Weinmann brakes, Pivo stem and bars. Remnants of Reynolds stickers on the frame and forks, 28.15mm seat tube (with paint) and 26.4 seatpost. Tyres and saddle missing.

This is going to be a LOT of work; pics to follow.

EDIT: Having done some research, this is an almost perfect match for the 1972 Grand Record specification in the US catalog; brakes are Weinmann, not Universal 61, and the bar is Pivo but the spec only says "Alloy Maes bend (racing)".

Has a pre-CPSC front mech.

oneclick 

A lot of times I don't bother with before pics - but this is just SO horrible:

saias

Holy smokes. What were they thinking! At first I thought it was a white bike to memorialize where a cyclist was killed.