Identify a Motobecane please
03-12-22, 06:47 AM
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Identify a Motobecane please
Any information or advice regarding this Motobecane road bike (selling in the UK) would be appreciated. I don't know enough about Motobecane to identify what model this is.
Seems to be the Nervex Professional lugset with a Wagner DP crown, half chromed forks & forged dropouts, all suggesting a quality frame? No tubing decal, though the 7th photo (above the downtube levers) shows a patch of paint - unfaded by the sun - that looks somewhat Reynolds decal shaped.
Link to photos & description: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284696183...676d33bf2a90c7
Seems to be the Nervex Professional lugset with a Wagner DP crown, half chromed forks & forged dropouts, all suggesting a quality frame? No tubing decal, though the 7th photo (above the downtube levers) shows a patch of paint - unfaded by the sun - that looks somewhat Reynolds decal shaped.
Link to photos & description: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284696183...676d33bf2a90c7
03-12-22, 07:08 AM
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As u.s. models go it looks a little grand jubilee ish.
03-12-22, 07:26 AM
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03-12-22, 07:28 AM
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03-12-22, 08:09 AM
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Early 70's Motobecane
Motobecane and the other big players Peugeot, Gitane, Raleigh and Bianchi made models for specific markets such as France, the UK, the US, the Netherlands, Germany, the East Block and so on. There was so much overlapping in specs, especially with Motobecane that it's hard to come up with an accurate guestimate. They also made 2nd tier Motoconfort and 3rd tier Astra bikes.
It's probably something like the US market Gran Jubile model that came out in 1973 and possibly a Euro market Grand Record.
The frame looks like this early 70's Interclub model without the black painted lugs. The 3 main tubes on this frame are Vitus 172, the forks and stays are whatever??? The dropouts are Huret forged with a proprietary rear derailleur hanger. The swagged seat stay tops indicate that it's a mid range model. Those Mylar silver foil stickers were used from ~1970 to 1972???
Here's an earlier Interclub made with Reynolds "A" quality carbon steel tubing.
BTW, those are Nervex lugs specially made for Motobecane which are different from the Nervex Professional lugs. They used them from the 1960's until the late 70's.
Nervex Pro - notice the reinforcing ring around the top of the head tube area.
Motobecane lugs - the hozzle where the top and down tubes fit is different.
verktyg
It's probably something like the US market Gran Jubile model that came out in 1973 and possibly a Euro market Grand Record.
The frame looks like this early 70's Interclub model without the black painted lugs. The 3 main tubes on this frame are Vitus 172, the forks and stays are whatever??? The dropouts are Huret forged with a proprietary rear derailleur hanger. The swagged seat stay tops indicate that it's a mid range model. Those Mylar silver foil stickers were used from ~1970 to 1972???
Here's an earlier Interclub made with Reynolds "A" quality carbon steel tubing.
BTW, those are Nervex lugs specially made for Motobecane which are different from the Nervex Professional lugs. They used them from the 1960's until the late 70's.
Nervex Pro - notice the reinforcing ring around the top of the head tube area.
Motobecane lugs - the hozzle where the top and down tubes fit is different.
verktyg
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Last edited by verktyg; 03-12-22 at 08:27 AM.
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03-12-22, 09:35 AM
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The frameset is the best thing about this one. The rest of the bike looks like a real cluster. The rims' condition looks so different, I assume one has been replaced. Steel seatpost, cheap looking derailleurs, missing pedal cap... Maybe the hubs are decent.
03-12-22, 09:57 AM
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That looks to be a really good cleaning/lubing and fresh consumables away from being a wonderful vintage ride. Great color! I'd pay 92 pounds for it.
Nothing wrong with those Huret Allvit derailleurs at all, as long as they aren't bent and get a thorough servicing. You can sometimes still find new cables with the lollipop end on eBay. It is an interesting design in the evolution of the derailleur and works fine when setup correctly.
Those centerpull brakes will work well with new cables, housing, and brake pads. Kool Stop makes excellent replacements.
Nice three pin crank!
As the seller says, it would make a great "pub bike." Maybe even more.
Nothing wrong with those Huret Allvit derailleurs at all, as long as they aren't bent and get a thorough servicing. You can sometimes still find new cables with the lollipop end on eBay. It is an interesting design in the evolution of the derailleur and works fine when setup correctly.
Those centerpull brakes will work well with new cables, housing, and brake pads. Kool Stop makes excellent replacements.
Nice three pin crank!
As the seller says, it would make a great "pub bike." Maybe even more.
