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1974 Motobecane Le Champion

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1974 Motobecane Le Champion

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Old 09-02-23, 08:19 AM
  #1  
Classtime 
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1974 Motobecane Le Champion

Starting this thread now while I stall on another classic that is in the way. I was alerted to this via the "Are you looking for one of these?" It was more than a 100 miles away but it was my size, original one owner (OOO) and likely as close as I will get to the pinnacle of Classic Motobecane Road Bikes at a reasonable price. My first Nuovo Record bike -- 59cm CTT and 58cm CTC The original owner bought it to commute to UCSC. The shop put on a shorter stem, an Avocet Racing WII, Suntour bar ends and a Perfect 14-28 FW to make the Santa Cruz hills a little easier. Before I picked it up, I was a little disappointed that the Universal brake levers were replaced with Weinmanns but the seller said that the shop told her that they were better. After a couple years of the costly inconvenience required to use silk tubulars, she had the shop rebuild the wheels with Super Champion clinchers -- rear DS 3 cross, NDS 2 cross tied and soldered. Brake cables are right-front and I didn't notice and ask her about that. The 2 bolt seat post is a bit short for any of my saddles other than an old B17 narrow that came on that other classic that is in the way.


Most perfect size. Dig the brake lever placement.

A little rust. It will go in the OA tub.

Paint saver reflective tape.

"Better than Universal levers."

The stem maybe long enough. The bars may need to go.

First pair of these bar ends.

Maybe this stop is centered.



She had a rack.

I'll put this saddle on my daughters 710.

I won't be rebuilding this wheel set until I need to.
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Old 09-02-23, 08:49 AM
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juvela
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-----

congratulations on this very nice find

previous owner lady must be tall to handle a fifty-niner

the cycle's 3ttt record stem is first generation which launched seventy-one

second generation launch was seventy-four

evidently the ffolke in pantin were using up existing stocks...

-----
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Old 09-02-23, 09:34 AM
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Congratulations on joining the Le Champion club. They're really great riders. Definitely not uncommon to see them with Weinmann brake levers. Paint on mine is a little rough, so I can ride it anywhere without worrying about mussing a pristine paint job. looks like yours is similar. Enjoy that thing, man.
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Old 09-02-23, 10:20 AM
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I’d have driven quite a distance for that Le Champ too. I like everything but the bar tape.
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Old 09-02-23, 01:46 PM
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I've never seen this before.


The rear had a rubber strap.
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Old 09-02-23, 02:22 PM
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That bracket for the Pletscher rack is golden!
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Old 09-03-23, 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Classtime

The rear had a rubber strap.
That type of rim strip was actually common on french bikes of that era.
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Old 09-03-23, 01:46 PM
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Bath Time

Left the HS bits and the DS cup in place.

The Paint is taking a hit.
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Old 09-03-23, 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Classtime
Left the HS bits and the DS cup in place.

The Paint is taking a hit.
Thanks for keeping us abreast of the process. Looking forward to seeing this one built back up.
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Old 09-04-23, 07:18 AM
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I bought a LeChampion new in '74. The least expensive full Campy, sans brakes, I could find. With tax is was right around $400. And the bike shop custom geared it for Junior category racing at no xtra cost. Came with Clement Paris Roubaix cotton tires...which had an amazing ride@. For winter riding I added Bluemels fenders and leather toe cozies over the toe clips.
It was a nice riding bike but far from the criterium style racing bikes that would be popular by the later 70's.

Raced it at the inaugural Boul Mich Bike Rally in Chicago.
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Old 09-04-23, 07:29 AM
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Originally Posted by juvela
-----

congratulations on this very nice find

previous owner lady must be tall to handle a fifty-niner

the cycle's 3ttt record stem is first generation which launched seventy-one

second generation launch was seventy-four

evidently the ffolke in pantin were using up existing stocks...

-----
the stem forging is first gen, the handlebar clamp bolt is the Allen key type, earlier had a traditional nut closure as was seen in 1972.
not sure if changed in ‘73 or ‘74.
3ttt then came out with a more slender smooth version, I think manufactured concurrently. First saw that on a Masi GC with signature pantographing.
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Old 09-04-23, 07:31 AM
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Classtime, I’m so glad that bike went to someone who would appreciate it. I was afraid that it would end up being morphed into something other than it’s meant to be. It looks like you are “on it” . I look forward to the progress on this beauty.
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