6Finger

Hello,

(1st post and sorry for bad English )

Just recently got this old bike as a gift, was looking for a cheapo to fix it and set up as a SS for town rides.
Was standing 25+ years outside beneath a pile of rubbish.
After a quick fit i decided this is definitely my "new" bike.
After i started stripping it apart i noticed some fine details beneath a sloppy sloppy paint job and became interested in what i got and definetly decided to preserve as much of the bike i can.
Managed to feel something under my fingers and scratching that off revealed MOTOBECANE sticker.

This is complete bike as i got it and some close ups.


Allready started to do some work on it.


This is the info i got so far.
Motobecane (from my search so far unknown 60s model)
Hurret allvit derailleur, front derailleur Huret allso
Normandy Hubs, Rigida Chrolux Chromage Superieur 28 x 15/8 rims
Unknown cottered crank, french thread BB
Pivo steam
Atom 4 cog freewheel
Original color was gold with brown details.

I found almost the same bike (only difference cantilever breaks) pictures but sadly also unknown model.
https://velospace.org/node/14115

I would be greatly grateful if someone could help identify this bike for me .
So far i have tried googling all of the models mentioned on Motobecane Wikipedia site and none of them match.
None of them are 8 speed or have holders for pump on top tube.
I should also mention i could barely see through the paint to the sticker on head tube and recognize B5c as a part of something written but couldnt see the whole word.
Been googleing for many hours so far and no luck.....

T-Mar

Base on the rear it derailleurshould be from the period 1961-1968 and based on the 4 cog freewheel, almost certainly from the very early part of that range. The 28" tires indicate a European model, which typically had different names than those marketed in North America, so I can't help on that matter.

oddjob2

It may be a model not imported into the USA by the distributor. I have a high end model that was only found in the French catalogs.

6Finger

After i got frame sandblasted few details were revealed, maybe some1 knows what they stand for.

wildbill6949

I was looking for ways to identify an old Motobecane I just got, and I found yours. My bike is more of a townie style bike, but it has very similar components, including fork crown, foil label on the seat tube, same dropouts, crank, and almost the same front and rear derailleurs.

Please respond if you're still out there. I'll try to post some photos.

Drew

Bianchigirll 

Well it is Zombie season isn't it?


Hello Drew and welcome to the forums. The OP has only posted three times so I doubt he is still here. You might be better off starting a new thread. You need a few more post to be able to add pics but you can still upload them to your gallery and we can see them.

6Finger

Hey,

I don't have this bike anymore and was never able to identify it.
But I do remember working on it so if there are any questions feel free to ask.

From the top of my head few things that 1st come to mind:
- best quality frame I have ever seen
- unusually long top tube (reason for selling it after it was complete)
- french threaded bottom bracket but extraordinarily high-quality cups so best to leave it as is and just exchange a compatible spindle if need to change cranks.
- hubs had completely parallel spoke holes, extremely hard to rebuild the wheels

Ask away if any problems/doubts.

​​​​​​​Kind regards, Boris