Motobecane Le Champion thread.
03-03-19, 01:02 PM
#151
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My Step Dad's Le Champion. I think it's a 78'. I did a complete breakdown and overhaul on it a couple of years ago. I rode it a few times, really nice bike.
It has Mavic GP4 tubulars on it now, but I'll be building up a nice set of clinchers for it this year. I was thinking about getting some Campy hubs for it.
It has Mavic GP4 tubulars on it now, but I'll be building up a nice set of clinchers for it this year. I was thinking about getting some Campy hubs for it.
07-01-20, 09:02 AM
#152
Full Member
Sorry to resurrect this thread--- but maybe it's time to look at some nice Motobecane racing bikes again?
Plus I just acquired this:
As found: seller's photo. Funky Spenco grips and cheesy commuter saddle. An enthusiast's hodge podge of parts....
Turned out to be a really interesting mix of parts: 72 era Campy NR derailleurs, but a much later version of a Chorus crankset, early Dura-Ace brakes and levers... Campy Record pedals too! (Took these off to sell...)
I tried to love the Spenco grips but they just drove me nuts so off they came. Tried an Ideale leather saddle for a very period look, but it felt too much like a saggy diaper, so returned to my favorite workhorse saddle, the San Marco Regal. (Otherwise known as the "Belgian Sofa"...)
First iteration: Ideale 90 saddle (too saggy!), still letting the Spenco grips survive, new shoes (Veloflex Vlandarens). Lovely ride!
Current iteration: so long Ideale, hello Regal. Hello new grip tape. Sorry for the dark photo--- it was an overcast morning.
Plus I just acquired this:
As found: seller's photo. Funky Spenco grips and cheesy commuter saddle. An enthusiast's hodge podge of parts....
Turned out to be a really interesting mix of parts: 72 era Campy NR derailleurs, but a much later version of a Chorus crankset, early Dura-Ace brakes and levers... Campy Record pedals too! (Took these off to sell...)
I tried to love the Spenco grips but they just drove me nuts so off they came. Tried an Ideale leather saddle for a very period look, but it felt too much like a saggy diaper, so returned to my favorite workhorse saddle, the San Marco Regal. (Otherwise known as the "Belgian Sofa"...)
First iteration: Ideale 90 saddle (too saggy!), still letting the Spenco grips survive, new shoes (Veloflex Vlandarens). Lovely ride!
Current iteration: so long Ideale, hello Regal. Hello new grip tape. Sorry for the dark photo--- it was an overcast morning.
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07-01-20, 09:03 AM
#153
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Oh yeah--- I stripped the cable fixing nut on the NR front der., so for the moment there's a Suntour Vx on there..... sort of fitting with the random mix of parts, and the Vx works very well....
07-01-20, 02:35 PM
#154
Senior Member
Sorry to resurrect this thread--- but maybe it's time to look at some nice Motobecane racing bikes again?
Plus I just acquired this:
As found: seller's photo. Funky Spenco grips and cheesy commuter saddle. An enthusiast's hodge podge of parts....
Turned out to be a really interesting mix of parts: 72 era Campy NR derailleurs, but a much later version of a Chorus crankset, early Dura-Ace brakes and levers... Campy Record pedals too! (Took these off to sell...)
I tried to love the Spenco grips but they just drove me nuts so off they came. Tried an Ideale leather saddle for a very period look, but it felt too much like a saggy diaper, so returned to my favorite workhorse saddle, the San Marco Regal. (Otherwise known as the "Belgian Sofa"...)
First iteration: Ideale 90 saddle (too saggy!), still letting the Spenco grips survive, new shoes (Veloflex Vlandarens). Lovely ride!
Current iteration: so long Ideale, hello Regal. Hello new grip tape. Sorry for the dark photo--- it was an overcast morning.
Plus I just acquired this:
As found: seller's photo. Funky Spenco grips and cheesy commuter saddle. An enthusiast's hodge podge of parts....
Turned out to be a really interesting mix of parts: 72 era Campy NR derailleurs, but a much later version of a Chorus crankset, early Dura-Ace brakes and levers... Campy Record pedals too! (Took these off to sell...)
I tried to love the Spenco grips but they just drove me nuts so off they came. Tried an Ideale leather saddle for a very period look, but it felt too much like a saggy diaper, so returned to my favorite workhorse saddle, the San Marco Regal. (Otherwise known as the "Belgian Sofa"...)
First iteration: Ideale 90 saddle (too saggy!), still letting the Spenco grips survive, new shoes (Veloflex Vlandarens). Lovely ride!
Current iteration: so long Ideale, hello Regal. Hello new grip tape. Sorry for the dark photo--- it was an overcast morning.
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07-01-20, 02:42 PM
#155
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Ha! My thoughts exactly--- I've never really been a Campy guy, but I figured I'd ride this crankset for a few months to see. I kind of agree that a nice Stronglight 93 would look the part a bit more... The campy crank is nice and shiny, just a different aesthetic.
I have just the crank, sitting in a box, waiting for it's turn....
I have just the crank, sitting in a box, waiting for it's turn....
03-15-23, 09:09 AM
#156
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Thankful for this thread. There's a Moto Champion Team newly for sale on the forum in my size and I'm coveting it, of course. This thread is reminding me what beautiful bikes the Le Champions are. It's such a great ride too. It's super quick, has really responsive handling and I can climb midwestern rollers with pretty narrow gearing. Since this photo, I've switched to tubulars with a near straight block freewheel and switched out the bars and stem for period correct Philippe. I can pass on that Champion Team. Probably.
03-15-23, 12:44 PM
#157
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Thankful for this thread. There's a Moto Champion Team newly for sale on the forum in my size and I'm coveting it, of course. This thread is reminding me what beautiful bikes the Le Champions are. It's such a great ride too. It's super quick, has really responsive handling and I can climb midwestern rollers with pretty narrow gearing. Since this photo, I've switched to tubulars with a near straight block freewheel and switched out the bars and stem for period correct Philippe. I can pass on that Champion Team. Probably.
03-15-23, 12:52 PM
#158
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Happy to revive this thread. Lots of great photos of Le Champions. Let's keep it going. Don't have any updated photos right now, unfortunately. I'll post them when I got them. Thanks for the comment.
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03-16-23, 09:47 AM
#162
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I don't think I'm really in the club until the bikes back on the road, but there still a 1981 hanging in the garage...
As is my way, I have rummaged up most of the parts to rebuild it. A donor bike gave up a better French Campagnolo headset, and hopefully a Swiss threaded Phil wood BB (need to buy the tool) and recently I found a Sugino Mighty Tour crankset that should blend in well enough with old man chainrings.. I also found a very clean tubular wheel set, and if I was going to take the leap, the Le Champion will be the bike.
So, just while sitting still my "fancy" French road bike keeps getting fancier
As is my way, I have rummaged up most of the parts to rebuild it. A donor bike gave up a better French Campagnolo headset, and hopefully a Swiss threaded Phil wood BB (need to buy the tool) and recently I found a Sugino Mighty Tour crankset that should blend in well enough with old man chainrings.. I also found a very clean tubular wheel set, and if I was going to take the leap, the Le Champion will be the bike.
So, just while sitting still my "fancy" French road bike keeps getting fancier
03-16-23, 11:34 AM
#163
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I don't think I'm really in the club until the bikes back on the road, but there still a 1981 hanging in the garage...
As is my way, I have rummaged up most of the parts to rebuild it. A donor bike gave up a better French Campagnolo headset, and hopefully a Swiss threaded Phil wood BB (need to buy the tool) and recently I found a Sugino Mighty Tour crankset that should blend in well enough with old man chainrings.. I also found a very clean tubular wheel set, and if I was going to take the leap, the Le Champion will be the bike.
So, just while sitting still my "fancy" French road bike keeps getting fancier
As is my way, I have rummaged up most of the parts to rebuild it. A donor bike gave up a better French Campagnolo headset, and hopefully a Swiss threaded Phil wood BB (need to buy the tool) and recently I found a Sugino Mighty Tour crankset that should blend in well enough with old man chainrings.. I also found a very clean tubular wheel set, and if I was going to take the leap, the Le Champion will be the bike.
So, just while sitting still my "fancy" French road bike keeps getting fancier
06-19-23, 08:10 PM
#164
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Freshly washed after some surprise muddy trail riding. Paint is a little rough on this one with some sun fading and a bunch of scratches, but it rides so beautifully. Really came alive when I switched to tubulars.
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09-02-23, 06:34 PM
#165
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Bumping this thread with my new ‘74 (with pat 74 NR) 59ctt 58ctc and two questions:
1.) What is most likely seat post size. (see picture) It came with 26.4.
2.) Is French or Swiss BB more likely?
EDIT: It is French.
Only Saddle changed for test fit prior to breakdown.
1.) What is most likely seat post size. (see picture) It came with 26.4.
2.) Is French or Swiss BB more likely?
EDIT: It is French.
Only Saddle changed for test fit prior to breakdown.
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Last edited by Classtime; 09-04-23 at 04:46 PM. Reason: Removed the fixed cup.
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09-02-23, 10:11 PM
#166
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Is the 26.4 post a little loose? Could call for a 26.6, but 26.4 might be right also. My '78 Le Champion fits a 26.6.
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09-02-23, 10:57 PM
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09-03-23, 09:55 AM
#168
Rancho66
My late 1974 or 1975 Le Champion serial # 2556862 (Left Rear Dropout) came stock with a 26.8 Campy Post and a Simplex binder bolt. Post slides right in. Looks like your frame has pinched seat lug ears due to the 26.4 post.
I was told my bottom bracket threading is Swiss, but this is one of the few bikes I didn't succeed in removing the 35 x 1 drive side cup.
I was told my bottom bracket threading is Swiss, but this is one of the few bikes I didn't succeed in removing the 35 x 1 drive side cup.
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09-03-23, 02:30 PM
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My late 1974 or 1975 Le Champion serial # 2556862 (Left Rear Dropout) came stock with a 26.8 Campy Post and a Simplex binder bolt. Post slides right in. Looks like your frame has pinched seat lug ears due to the 26.4 post.
I was told my bottom bracket threading is Swiss, but this is one of the few bikes I didn't succeed in removing the 35 x 1 drive side cup.
I was told my bottom bracket threading is Swiss, but this is one of the few bikes I didn't succeed in removing the 35 x 1 drive side cup.
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09-04-23, 04:43 PM
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Btw, the BB is French.
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09-04-23, 05:21 PM
#171
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Yep, the fun with the French is that you never quite know what you'll get. I got a dollar on 26.6, though.
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09-04-23, 06:14 PM
#172
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Nice score, and welcome to the Moto club! Other folks chiming in are right; you never know what you'll get with seat post sizes on these. I have a '75 Le Champion (the silver lilac year, pictured below) that I have had since 1977, and I "think" the seatpost is original but my memory is not as reliable as it once was 
..... and it has a 26.4, but it does look a like the ears are pinched. My orange '73 Super Champion pictured below (same as Champion Team) has a 26.6. My '75 Champion Team (out for paint) has a 26.6.....
'75 Le Champ, 26.4
'73 Super Champ, 26.6
..... and it has a 26.4, but it does look a like the ears are pinched. My orange '73 Super Champion pictured below (same as Champion Team) has a 26.6. My '75 Champion Team (out for paint) has a 26.6.....'75 Le Champ, 26.4
'73 Super Champ, 26.6
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