curbtender

I'm looking into a proposed trade and trying to look up the specs on this bike.


Any help would be appreciated.

randyjawa 

If it fits and the price is good, get it. My Motobecane Grand Record was one of the prettiest and best riding bikes that I have ever owned (and I have owned a few). My Motobe Grand Record...

curbtender

Nice. Trading a 63 cm Grand Jubilee...

randyjawa 

I owned a Grand Jubilee also and, though I did not have them to compare at the same time, I recall the Grand Record offered a nicer ride quality, although I rode the Grand Jubiilee a lot more simply because it was a better fit for me. Do the trade would be my advice. My long gone Grand Jubilee and what it looked like when I sold it...


This is how my Motobe GJ looked for years as I rode the cottage roads around my lake summer home...


As I recall my Grand Record was fitted with a Campagnolo NR transmission, a Campy titanium bottom bracket, Dura Ace brakes and Dura Ace high flange anodized hubs, laced to 27" Weinmann alloy rims. Can't remember much else about the bike except that I really did like it.

In closing, if it were possible, I would just buy the GR and keep the GJ. Both are lovely bikes.

noobinsf 

Looks like a 76 based on the front chrome socks and TA 3-arm, so it would have full 531, not just the main tubes like my 72. Rear mech is not stock, and check to make sure the hubs match. If there is no damage and it's a better fit for you than the GJ, you're getting the better frame with GR. These tend to have shorter top tubes, so just make sure you measure the fit. For me at 5'9", the shorter top tube on my 58cm (top tube is about 55cm) fits me perfectly. I love mine.

Here's a catalog (not mine): https://www.flickr.com/photos/strong...7602026900257/

VintageSteelEU

Someone mentioned 76' which might be correct. But it might be any Grand Record from 1974 to 1977. It's difficult to say for sure. Seems to have Reynolds 531 decals on fork and seat tube, so at least the main tubes are R531 (though it might as well be R531 throughout). In any case, it looks great and pretty close to the original configuration. As much as can be seen in these photos (some components were obviously changed). As for the frame, it will have slightly different geometery than GJ, but I don't think you will complain about that. I would probably go for it. You don't seem to be running Grand Jubilee as a touring bike anyway. But differences will be minimal. Even weight wise, they are almost the same bicycle. Top of the line. Both are gorgeous and wouldn't mind any of them. So far I have been out of luck finding one where original paintwork would be in usable state...

El Chaba

I will echo what some others have said and add a little….The frame should be full Reynolds 531 butted They were very nicely put together and finished with generally nice chrome and paint. Some of the original parts are gone. Everything on the frame should be French threaded and possibly Swiss on the BB as this is about the time that Motobecane made that switch. With small possible variations, it should have been equipped with a Stronglight V4 headset, TA Professional 3 pin crank and matching BB, the pedals often varied but as often as not we’re Olympic, SR seatpost ( the Simplex style model), Brooks Professional saddle, Philippe bars and stem, Weinmann centerpull brakes, Campagnolo Nuovo Record derailleurs, Normandy Luxe Competition hubs, Super Champion model58 rims, Sun Tour Perfect freewheel ( probably French thread)….Great riding bikes with a great geometry…not a racing bike, but not a wheelbarrow either. They were very nice bikes….

curbtender

They have done some straightening to the fork. Guess I'll need to go take a look. The replacement wheels look like 700 steel. Probably why it has long reach calipers

Classtime 

If it fits MUCH better, and there are none of the common issues, go for it. If your GJ is only a little big and it rides nice and straight, don't do it. I really enjoyed shifting the Jubile derailleurs on the three that I've had. (Kick myself for not keeping one as the buyers had no idea what they were buying.) ride that GR before you trade. Bring your own wheels if necessary.

motogeek 

If there's any way you can have both of these then, by all means, do it. You'll never regret it. In my collection i have a GJ (plus my wife's matching mixtie GJ),, and 4 GRs, all from that '73-'75 time period. All slightly different but wonderful riding bikes all the same. As stated above, the derailleur on the GR is supposed to be Campy Nuovo Record (hence the name Grand RECORD) and, likewise, the Huret Jubilee ensemble for the Grand JUBILE, although Motobecane did screwy things with the spelling.

curbtender

I would keep the GJ if it fit. Going to check out the Record on Wednesday and see if we can work a deal.

curbtender

I made the trade. I was shooting to keep my wheels, but he said it was a no go. Looks like he already set it up for 700's





. Had a pair from a 70's Paramount. The steel 27"s are in good condition so they will work for someone. No pedals so I'm not sure if I'll tap these or look for some French threaded. I have a replacement NR that will go on. He said he straightened the fork a little and don't see any frame issues. Paint condition and frame size makes me a happy camper.

curbtender

A friend says he has a set of Lyotard 82 pedals he wants to trade. Any thoughts on these?
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...=109&AbsPos=24
I'll have to give up one of my long cage Deore XT's for them.

bikemig 

I'm running 700c wheels on my '73 Moto GR. There is lots of room for fat tires; I'm running 700 x 35c schwalbe tires.

You made a good trade. Do you care about running French pedals? I'd just run any set of pedals you have lying around.

curbtender

If I can, I'll keep it French. Just wondering the quality on those pedals. I put the Ideale saddle on, set up the 700s and just need the pedals to try it out. Going to do the deal. I can switch them out if they have issues.

unworthy1

Odd thing is the "Belri" stem: my GR with same headbadge and paint has a Nitto Pearl (OEM/stock) tho adjacent years some apparently came with Philippe. Mine had a Brooks saddle and 700C wheels and I was pretty sure these were both original.

oneclick 

That front gear cable is not supposed to go under the tab of the guide; and if it is, the guide is in the wrong place. The tab is supposed to rest against the top of the bb shell and the cable runs above it.

curbtender

Thanks, I'll correct that. The rear derailleur is a Suntour but I'll try a NR. On the stem, I'm going to see how it fits but it may need a longer one.

curbtender

Twenty-three pounds as sits. Fits fairly well and a good ride. Brakes are a joke. I'll try some koolstops.

That cable guide hadn't been moved in a long time.

VintageSteelEU

They seem servicable and lightweight. I use Lyotard 460D (because I don't like one sided pedals and I don't use tips and straps) and they served me well. A bit heavier, 360g pair. Overall, easy to maintain though can require a bit fiddling with the bearing cones. When set, smooth forever.

As for the FD cable, I understand the lower part is for when you are using a cable outer and take it underneath the BB (or there is an additional guide underneath the BB perhaps?). Without the outer, I think it should go fully in the upper cable guide. New brake pads might help. Or that and changing to centre pull ones? Even with modern brakes I tend to change the pads, this seems to be something every manufacturer is skimping on.
Lovely Grand Record. These early 70's lugs were fantastic and the colour scheme is great too.

unworthy1

KoolStop pads will help a lot, and fitted to Weinmann CPs (which I think were OEM on this bike) should help even more, but you may need new cables and (red, of course!) housing.
I'd keep the SunTour RD, even tho not OEM it will perform better than the Campy NR (which is what I have on my GR and put up with only 'cause it's original)
Welcome to the "mid-'70s GR Owner's Club", we have a pretty good acronym: MS.GROC

swift j

I use to have one of these, 1975.
Mine came with Ideale (oily for weeks!) Campy derailleurs, TA crank, and Mavic brakes, (dealers choice?), great ride.
I am keenly interested should you be willing to part with it.

John E

I have a short cage SunTour Cyclone II on the Peugeot, a long cage SunTour XCD on the Schwinn, the original Campag. NR on the Bianchi, and a Campag. 980 on the 1959 Capo. The NR and 980 are tolerable derailleurs, but every SunTour I have owned has been a great derailleur. This is why the "keep it original" Capo Sieger is keeping its original Campag. GS, but its littermate restomod is getting some sort of SunTour.

VintageSteelEU

Regarding the brakes: brake pads are a good place to start. Unless you definitely want to keep 100% original look, Koolstop make inserts for the vintage holders. Personally my preference would be for a bit later Shimano compatible holders, because they allow you to easily adjust the angle of the pads. Campy compatible holders and inserts might be a bit of a tight fit (unless they are of the type where you can't adjust the angle and that uses Shimano type inserts). Then you might just go wor Weinmann centre pull caliper brakes. They are abundant, cheap, clean up nicely, available in various reach and stop you on a penny. Well, at least mine do, easily the best bicycle brakes I've tried (and I'm comparing with side pulls single pivots as well as Shimano and other dual pivots). Highly recommended and period accurate as well.

52telecaster

I've had 2 grand touring a and recently picked up a grand record frameset. Mine is early 70s and therefore the main tubes are Reynolds only. The grand records are similarly constructed except in virus 172 and 888 respectively. I havnt had the grand record running yet but the grand tourings punch way above their weight. If it fits you well it should be wonderful.