Late model Motobecane Le Champion. What do I need to know?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Eastern Shore, MD
Posts: 2,107
Bikes: Road ready: 1993 Koga Miyata City Liner Touring Hybrid, 1989 Centurion Sport DLX, "I Blame GP" Bridgestone CB-1. Projects: Yea, I got a problem....
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 753 Post(s)
Liked 737 Times
in
422 Posts
Late model Motobecane Le Champion. What do I need to know?
This Motobecane Le Champion popped up on the "Are you looking for one of these!?" thread and I beat feet over to pick it up. I realized it had issues, but at $95 I wasn't going to haggle.
I got a chance to clean it up today and its going to need some work. It looks like the previous and maybe original owner used the bike to commute and while it may have spent the night in the garage, I suspect its been on the original chain for many many miles, so the small chain ring is pretty worn and probably should be replaced, and I'm assuming the free wheel is toast.
While the bike came at least hosed off I found a slug of road grime that had fully plugged the stearer tube at the crown. There was duck tape here and there to pad the frame pump and such and still a rack tang attached behind the rear brakes.
The rims are mismatched and I think the rear was rebuilt. The hubs spin but the rear makes a zing sound like there's no grease on the bearings. The Ofmega pedals are loose on their spindles, so I assume the worse.
The head set has a hard index, which is a bummer.
It also looks like an undersized at 26.6 seat post was cranked down on, deforming the binder bolt set up. I'll need to find out the correct size and un pinch the seat tube.
I'm hoping Y'all can help me out with what year this bike is and what kind of French bike and Campagnolo Neuvo Record quirks I need to be aware of.
Here's a bunch of picture's:
Motobecane Le Champion
I'm not sure what happened to the crank and front derailleur pictures went, but I can get some tomorrow. Thanks, Woody
I got a chance to clean it up today and its going to need some work. It looks like the previous and maybe original owner used the bike to commute and while it may have spent the night in the garage, I suspect its been on the original chain for many many miles, so the small chain ring is pretty worn and probably should be replaced, and I'm assuming the free wheel is toast.
While the bike came at least hosed off I found a slug of road grime that had fully plugged the stearer tube at the crown. There was duck tape here and there to pad the frame pump and such and still a rack tang attached behind the rear brakes.
The rims are mismatched and I think the rear was rebuilt. The hubs spin but the rear makes a zing sound like there's no grease on the bearings. The Ofmega pedals are loose on their spindles, so I assume the worse.
The head set has a hard index, which is a bummer.
It also looks like an undersized at 26.6 seat post was cranked down on, deforming the binder bolt set up. I'll need to find out the correct size and un pinch the seat tube.
I'm hoping Y'all can help me out with what year this bike is and what kind of French bike and Campagnolo Neuvo Record quirks I need to be aware of.
Here's a bunch of picture's:
Motobecane Le Champion
I'm not sure what happened to the crank and front derailleur pictures went, but I can get some tomorrow. Thanks, Woody
Last edited by bark_eater; 08-05-21 at 05:47 PM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5888 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times
in
2,079 Posts
Heck of a deal at $95. Enjoy it.
#3
Edumacator
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Posts: 6,807
Bikes: '87 Crestdale, '87 Basso Gap, '92 Rossin Performance EL-OS, 1990 VanTuyl, 1980s Losa, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 1987 PX10, etc...
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2439 Post(s)
Liked 3,128 Times
in
1,967 Posts
The brake set is worth that alone. Looked at the pictures. I have definitely seen a lot worse! Looks like a fun project especially if it is your size!
This Motobecane Le Champion popped up on the "Are you looking for one of these!?" thread and I beat feet over to pick it up. I realized it had issues, but at $95 I wasn't going to haggle.
I got a chance to clean it up today and its going to need some work. It looks like the previous and maybe original owner used the bike to commute and while it may have spent the night in the garage, I suspect its been on the original chain for many many miles, so the small chain ring is pretty worn and probably should be replaced, and I'm assuming the free wheel is toast.
While the bike came at least hosed off I found a slug of road grime that had fully plugged the stearer tube at the crown. There was duck tape here and there to pad the frame pump and such and still a rack tang attached behind the rear brakes.
The rims are mismatched and I think the rear was rebuilt. The hubs spin but the rear makes a zing sound like there's no grease on the bearings. The Ofmega pedals are loose on their spindles, so I assume the worse.
The head set has a hard index, which is a bummer.
I'm hoping Y'all can help me out with what year this bike is and what kind of French bike and Campagnolo Neuvo Record quirks I need to be aware of.
Here's a bunch of picture's:
Motobecane Le Champion
I'm not sure what happened to the crank and front derailleur pictures went, but I can get some tomorrow. Thanks, Woody
I got a chance to clean it up today and its going to need some work. It looks like the previous and maybe original owner used the bike to commute and while it may have spent the night in the garage, I suspect its been on the original chain for many many miles, so the small chain ring is pretty worn and probably should be replaced, and I'm assuming the free wheel is toast.
While the bike came at least hosed off I found a slug of road grime that had fully plugged the stearer tube at the crown. There was duck tape here and there to pad the frame pump and such and still a rack tang attached behind the rear brakes.
The rims are mismatched and I think the rear was rebuilt. The hubs spin but the rear makes a zing sound like there's no grease on the bearings. The Ofmega pedals are loose on their spindles, so I assume the worse.
The head set has a hard index, which is a bummer.
I'm hoping Y'all can help me out with what year this bike is and what kind of French bike and Campagnolo Neuvo Record quirks I need to be aware of.
Here's a bunch of picture's:
Motobecane Le Champion
I'm not sure what happened to the crank and front derailleur pictures went, but I can get some tomorrow. Thanks, Woody
__________________
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Eastern Shore, MD
Posts: 2,107
Bikes: Road ready: 1993 Koga Miyata City Liner Touring Hybrid, 1989 Centurion Sport DLX, "I Blame GP" Bridgestone CB-1. Projects: Yea, I got a problem....
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 753 Post(s)
Liked 737 Times
in
422 Posts
I didn't even check its teeth. I'm a little intimidated by the potential cost of replacing the worn out Campagnolo parts, if I can find them.
#5
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,626
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3888 Post(s)
Liked 6,484 Times
in
3,208 Posts
Just start overhauling stuff and see where the problems lie. I really doubt you'll have to replace much. Though it would be nice to secure matching rims for such a nice bike. Here are the catalogs:
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Motobecane/
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Motobecane/
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,579
Bikes: '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1608 Post(s)
Liked 2,216 Times
in
1,103 Posts
I am not sure you have the right post. The seat lug looks like it was bent to accommodate a smaller post.
Congrats on a great find!
Congrats on a great find!
__________________
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,332
Bikes: '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '72 Gitane tandem, '72 Raleigh Super Course, '73 Raleigh Gran Sport, '73 Colnago Super, '76 Fiorelli Coppi, '78 Raleigh SBDU Team Pro, '78 Trek 930, '81 Holdsworth Special 650B, '86 Masi GC, ’94 Bridgestone RB-T
Mentioned: 67 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 786 Post(s)
Liked 520 Times
in
281 Posts
Glad somebody grabbed it whom it would fit. I was very close to getting it myself, but already have two Moto's in the queue that aren't my size.
I have plenty of used but serviceable Campy bits, so if you're ever in the Baltimore area, bring a list. I find the parts choices interesting on that one. Grand Sport brakes, but Record cranks/mechs. And I'm surprised to see their rubber fake-leather bar wrap on a top of the line bike. I've had success just leaving it in place and wrapping cotton tape over it.
I have plenty of used but serviceable Campy bits, so if you're ever in the Baltimore area, bring a list. I find the parts choices interesting on that one. Grand Sport brakes, but Record cranks/mechs. And I'm surprised to see their rubber fake-leather bar wrap on a top of the line bike. I've had success just leaving it in place and wrapping cotton tape over it.
__________________
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Eastern Shore, MD
Posts: 2,107
Bikes: Road ready: 1993 Koga Miyata City Liner Touring Hybrid, 1989 Centurion Sport DLX, "I Blame GP" Bridgestone CB-1. Projects: Yea, I got a problem....
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 753 Post(s)
Liked 737 Times
in
422 Posts
Just start overhauling stuff and see where the problems lie. I really doubt you'll have to replace much. Though it would be nice to secure matching rims for such a nice bike. Here are the catalogs:
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Motobecane/
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Motobecane/
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: far western MD
Posts: 98
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 39 Times
in
24 Posts
My Le Champion is the same color/lugs etc. as yours. I figured it was a 79 but who knows. In any case both it and my 73 Le Champ frameset both have French bb threads
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Eastern Shore, MD
Posts: 2,107
Bikes: Road ready: 1993 Koga Miyata City Liner Touring Hybrid, 1989 Centurion Sport DLX, "I Blame GP" Bridgestone CB-1. Projects: Yea, I got a problem....
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 753 Post(s)
Liked 737 Times
in
422 Posts
Glad somebody grabbed it whom it would fit. I was very close to getting it myself, but already have two Moto's in the queue that aren't my size.
I have plenty of used but serviceable Campy bits, so if you're ever in the Baltimore area, bring a list. I find the parts choices interesting on that one. Grand Sport brakes, but Record cranks/mechs. And I'm surprised to see their rubber fake-leather bar wrap on a top of the line bike. I've had success just leaving it in place and wrapping cotton tape over it.
I have plenty of used but serviceable Campy bits, so if you're ever in the Baltimore area, bring a list. I find the parts choices interesting on that one. Grand Sport brakes, but Record cranks/mechs. And I'm surprised to see their rubber fake-leather bar wrap on a top of the line bike. I've had success just leaving it in place and wrapping cotton tape over it.
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Eastern Shore, MD
Posts: 2,107
Bikes: Road ready: 1993 Koga Miyata City Liner Touring Hybrid, 1989 Centurion Sport DLX, "I Blame GP" Bridgestone CB-1. Projects: Yea, I got a problem....
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 753 Post(s)
Liked 737 Times
in
422 Posts
#12
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,626
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3888 Post(s)
Liked 6,484 Times
in
3,208 Posts