Motobecane Grand Record (1973?) update
09-27-21, 11:00 AM
#26
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Ride report
Got her out for several rides this weekend. Smooth, happy with the tire choice on pavement and hard gravel Erie Canal Trail. The Mafac brakes with new Koolstop pads are squealing if I really get on them, so I have to mess with the armature to attempt a toe-in adjustment (unless there are any other suggestions?). I've not ridden this frame since hanging it up in early 2000's, I forgot that it must have a shorter wheelbase and steeper angles than my Moser, so handling was different at first and I did some saddle positioning (moved it up & back) to give myself more reach. Using the SRAM Rival shifter with the 1 x 10 setup was seamless. The bottom bracket fixed side did manage to work itself loose about 1/4 from my LBS where I was headed to show it off (about 18 miles into the ride #2)! Remarkably, he did NOT have the right socket to remove my crank bolt (I did, but at home) and I do not own (but will now buy) the Stronglight crank puller to get to the cup. So he generously sent me home with that, I got a ride from a friend, and it's tightened back up. Put on another 20 and no signs of loosening now. But I will be on guard. Very happy with it. Now to find a frame to turn into a single speed!
09-27-21, 11:03 AM
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I did purchase a good metal skewer (not Campy or Shimano) from LBS with an obviously better grip surface for the horizontal dropout. Thanks.
09-27-21, 02:37 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,923
Bikes: 82 Medici, 85 Ironman, 2011 Richard Sachs
Liked 2,239 Times
in
1,218 Posts
Regarding squealing brakes: Do not attempt to bend anything on the Mafac brakes. Create toe-in by filing the brake pads. A wise man once told me regarding Campy brakes, "If the calipers were supposed to have toe-in, Tullio would have designed them that way."
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
Last edited by Classtime; 09-27-21 at 02:42 PM.
09-27-21, 02:52 PM
#29
Senior Member
I have successfully eliminated squeal on several mafac and mafac like (CLB Racer) brakes by slightly bending arms for toe in.
09-27-21, 04:17 PM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,328
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Liked 1,285 Times
in
736 Posts
Can you explain further why not? I seem to recall the official mafac service guide (or one from a mafac equipped bike anyway) recommends setting toe in through bending the arms (ever so slightly) with the official mafac adjustable wrench! 😎
I have successfully eliminated squeal on several mafac and mafac like (CLB Racer) brakes by slightly bending arms for toe in.
I have successfully eliminated squeal on several mafac and mafac like (CLB Racer) brakes by slightly bending arms for toe in.
09-27-21, 07:07 PM
#31
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Unless they're brand new, you really can't be sure about the bending history of a given brakeset, so caution is the order of the day. Bending once is ok, but adjustment back and forth over several decades can lead to failure. I am not a metallurgist, so I'm not sure how scared to be of this phenomenon, but enough informed people say this that I would not take the chance. Mafacs allow a lot of adjustment, so bending shouldn't be necessary. Filing the washers is another possibility.
09-27-21, 07:11 PM
#32
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Whoever did your powder coat did a great job preserving the lug detail. If they're not listed on this thread, please add, because I'd love to know who did it: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...them-here.html
Great job on the build -- these Motos are such versatile frames. I have a 72 Grand Record that currently sports 650b, and I also spread the dropouts to 128mm so I could run a 126 or 130 hub. Enjoy the miles!
Great job on the build -- these Motos are such versatile frames. I have a 72 Grand Record that currently sports 650b, and I also spread the dropouts to 128mm so I could run a 126 or 130 hub. Enjoy the miles!
09-29-21, 05:58 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,923
Bikes: 82 Medici, 85 Ironman, 2011 Richard Sachs
Liked 2,239 Times
in
1,218 Posts
Can you explain further why not? I seem to recall the official mafac service guide (or one from a mafac equipped bike anyway) recommends setting toe in through bending the arms (ever so slightly) with the official mafac adjustable wrench! 😎
I have successfully eliminated squeal on several mafac and mafac like (CLB Racer) brakes by slightly bending arms for toe in.
I have successfully eliminated squeal on several mafac and mafac like (CLB Racer) brakes by slightly bending arms for toe in.
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
09-29-21, 06:08 AM
#34
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Well the good news on my end anyway is that I was able to eliminate the sqeaks by just being extremely fussy with the available adjustments so the pads now hit flush vertically, on the right line re the circumference, and properly tensioned. So, all good here and after around 45 total miles of shakedown my "new" bike rides beautifully.
09-29-21, 07:38 AM
#35
Junior Member
nice lugs,just rebuilt 70s frame with vitus tubing and motobecane cranks,weinmmar vanquer 989 center pull brakes finished off with simolex shifters and derailleur.dont know the model a5?? maybe.
09-29-21, 07:40 AM
#36
Junior Member
need a motobecane badge.where can i find one?thks
09-29-21, 07:46 AM
#37
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I don't know about a physical badge, but I got my decals (including headtube) from VeloCals and they are spot on and applied easily.
