1975 Motobecane Grand Touring
09-26-22, 10:38 AM
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1975 Motobecane Grand Touring
I believe this to be a 1975 23" Motobecane Grand Touring men's bike, all original minus the tires. It has a small tear (< 1/4") in the saddle on the right side, and is missing the pedal reflectors. I've done the identification from looking through your forums and bulgier, so thanks for your assistance with that! Trying to help my parents sell it locally. Any help you can give me on assigning a valuation will be greatly appreciated!
I can't post pix until I get the 10 posts, but if you ask I can send them to you.
Thanks,
Leif
I can't post pix until I get the 10 posts, but if you ask I can send them to you.
Thanks,
Leif
Last edited by wegianpickle; 09-26-22 at 10:40 AM. Reason: Forgot some information.
09-26-22, 10:52 AM
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09-26-22, 02:57 PM
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Perhaps $100 to $150 in its current condition, based on your photographs.
Someone would need to invest in a complete overhaul, new tires, and possibly new cables to make a usable vehicle.
Someone would need to invest in a complete overhaul, new tires, and possibly new cables to make a usable vehicle.
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09-26-22, 04:09 PM
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I'd echo that estimate. Suntour group is well thought of to the old timers, but getting young people to go for it can be a challenge. Your market will determine if it is more or less.
09-26-22, 04:26 PM
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The bike is so clean and the tape and tires look terrible. I’d be on the lookout for inexpensive tires and tape
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09-26-22, 05:52 PM
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09-26-22, 08:28 PM
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FWIW, I bought one here locally last week for $50, in better condition. Pedals removed to aid in transport. Updated Exage Aero levers. Actually, my pick up was a 1977, with a double butted Vitus frame, better than the high ten steel frame of the 1975 model.
Now I thought this was a nice pickup, but it had been for sale for several weeks.
Its very market specific. Hopefully your market is better.
In an average market, I would be lower than the estimates above due to condition and lesser frame material.
Out of the major French bike makers, I like that Motobecane in particular embraced better Japanese parts, so you will find Suntour derailleurs and levers, SR forged stem, and a few other nice parts.
Now I thought this was a nice pickup, but it had been for sale for several weeks.
Its very market specific. Hopefully your market is better.
In an average market, I would be lower than the estimates above due to condition and lesser frame material.
Out of the major French bike makers, I like that Motobecane in particular embraced better Japanese parts, so you will find Suntour derailleurs and levers, SR forged stem, and a few other nice parts.
Last edited by wrk101; 09-26-22 at 08:35 PM.
09-26-22, 08:57 PM
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wrk101 thanks for the input and keeping this grounded! I really know nothing about this stuff. To bikemig's point, how much does everyone think applying handlebar tape and new tires would change the value?
09-26-22, 10:42 PM
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I sold a 76 a couple years ago for $125. The paint looked nice like yours but it was in good ridable condition. In todays market I would expect a lower sale price. I dont think it will benefit you to fix it up (tires,tape etc.). As is somewhere less than $100. Good luck!
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09-27-22, 07:38 AM
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Bar tape at a local shop can cost $20, tires can be more than $25 each, all of a sudden, you have to get $100 more to break even. Instead, sell at a discount to a resourceful buyer and let them do the work. It needs cables for sure, I would expect anything with bearings will need service.
Last edited by wrk101; 09-27-22 at 07:41 AM.
09-27-22, 07:59 AM
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Unless you are really resourceful, you will NOT recoup the cost of the tires and bar tape. Resourceful = cheap bar tape from China ~ $3 per bike, take off tires from a donor bike (free). I've bought used tires cheap from co-ops too. Note, it can take 6 to 8 weeks for the bar tape from China to arrive in the US.
Bar tape at a local shop can cost $20, tires can be more than $25 each, all of a sudden, you have to get $100 more to break even. Instead, sell at a discount to a resourceful buyer and let them do the work. It needs cables for sure, I would expect anything with bearings will need service.
Bar tape at a local shop can cost $20, tires can be more than $25 each, all of a sudden, you have to get $100 more to break even. Instead, sell at a discount to a resourceful buyer and let them do the work. It needs cables for sure, I would expect anything with bearings will need service.
Like I said, I largely agree but this might be the exception that proves the rule. The OP's bike looks great but the tires and tape are awful. These might not add $45 of value to the bike but they will add value and make the bike sell a lot faster. Plus they might add $45 of value. The range given above of $100-$150 sounds about right. The bike will go at the low end of that valuation range given its present condition and should hit the top end with new tires and tape.
$9 bar tape on Amazon; I've used it and it's not bad stuff:
https://www.amazon.com/Handlebar-Tap...ps%2C89&sr=8-9
A pair of sunlite tires 27 inch at $36:
https://www.amazon.com/Road-Raised-C...ps%2C79&sr=8-7
Last edited by bikemig; 09-27-22 at 08:03 AM.
09-27-22, 09:09 AM
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Your best bet would be to clean it up, make it look ridable and take some good pictures. Ask $100 obo. Take a full drive side picture so buyer can see components. Find a darker background so it shows well. Good luck.
10-08-22, 10:20 AM
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This "Garage Queen" set me back $35 with all the gear. Been hanging in the garage 25years or so. Lovely ride, Suntour VGT LUX
Last edited by brixxton; 10-08-22 at 10:21 AM. Reason: x
