1972 Motobecane Le Champion
 

Hey folks, it's been a while since I have been in sell mode, but thinking about starting to thin the burgeoning herd. With that in mind, what do you think is a fair value for my 1972 Le Champion, frame size 21"CTT, in the classic teal/white scheme. Features include:

Original paint, no dents, but the paint has the characteristic "crazing" effect
Original parts throughout including Lyotard 45 pedals, Stronglight 93 crank, Campy derailleurs (RD dated 72), Universal 61 center pulls with pristine original (not repro) hoods, 3TTT record stem and bars, Ideale 80 saddle, Campy Tipo hubs with Mavic Championnat du Monde tubular rims

The most important and hardest to find component is on there, which is the Campy Tipo hubs created specifically for the Le Champion of that era, which were Tipos with kidney shaped cutouts rather than the round holes. I relaced these to the CdM rims using new DT Revolution spokes and teal colored alloy nipples.

Thoughts about valuation?

Thanks,

Andy


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That is a lovely bike. I would have a hard time parting with that!
That said I would think in the SF Bay Area I would list it at 1K and see if you get any offers. I am no expert but I do check the market.
Again thats a nice ride!

From what I've been reading here, prices seem to be taking a hit. if you decide to part with that bike, I hope you get a fair price, as it is a beautiful one. I'm a Motobecane fan and that is a lovely example.

You can always come down and I always expect folks to dicker anyway, so yes, why not ask for $1K and see how it goes. Interested parties will reach out and make offers.

Thanks folks, greatly appreciate the input!

Very nice...almost too nice. lol
In other words, if you engaged in substantial polishing/buffing, it might behoove you to disclose.
The pristine decals do not give it away; more like the hubs, rims, calipers, and cranks.
My set of NOS/NIB Tipos do not look so shiny.
Nevertheless, that rig would fit me well and could tempt me!

I'd value this around $500.

Here in Seattle, I'd go $800 ... and not below $600 unless I had only a couple days to live.

beautiful example!
Doesn't take much to make the hubs shine.
https://live.staticflickr.com/5530/1...06a9791c_b.jpgLC_FrntHub_05w on Flickr

...that's been borne out by my recent experience here, in what is traditionally a higher priced classic bicycle marketplace.

That is a beautiful LeChampion. I agree that prices seem to be down right now. I have a 1975 Le Champion for sale in the SF area that hasn’t drawn a sniff when posted for $550.

Market is shallow, the right bike for the right person, a good value can be obtained. There are fewer seriously looking at the moment I think.

a Team Champion would get a lot of attention.

Shipping bikes has become expensive, so that pinches values also.

parts seem to be holding up in price.
easier to pass by watching eyes.
when I get a package with a bike part…
”A present for me?, how nice of you…”

Such a timeless classic! I would place it around 800-1k usd and see where it goes. Selling it by parts would be much profitable but it would be a shame to destroy it :)