Motebecane's highest rated model is only one pound lighter. A ccording to the catalog the bike weighs 24 pounds.
The Motobecane Grand Jubile (figure 3) is a touring bike and is listed in the 1974 catalog as the fourth highest model in their line of bicycles. The bicycles made under the Motobecane name today have no relationship with the historic French company. As a consequence, they slowly lost market share during the 1980s, faded as a brand and eventually declared bankruptcy. Unlike Schwinn which tried to fight the global competition by producing bicycles in Chicago, Mississippi, Taiwan and China, Motobecane never took on the challenges from abroad. This made them quite popular during the 1970s, but slowly their sales declined and the company entered bankruptcy in 1981. Motobecane tried to fight this trend becoming one of the first of the European manufacturers to use the high quality Japanese components to complement its hand-built French frames. Like Schwinn, Motobecane fell victim to the Japanese imports that flooded the USA and European markets in the late 1970s and 1980s. With cleaning this removed the top coating of the pain revealing a silver color very close to the tone of the paint. The silver paint on the front forks was covered with some kind of protective coating that softened up over time. The paint is very hard and cleans up well with only one exception. The bike frames cleans up very nicely (figure 2). Although known more for motorcycles, Motobecane made bikes from 1923 to 1984.
Fitted with carefully selected alloy components.” The paint and lugs on the Motobecane bikes were among the best in the bike industry during the 1970s.
#MOTOBECANE SERIAL NUMBER DATABASE PROFESSIONAL#
Beautifully detailed Nervex professional lugs. The 1976 Motobecane catalog (Motobecane 1976) reads, “Hand built for long distance touring. That evening I do some research on the bike. But she does become annoyed when I have too many projects crowding the basement. As I carry it to my bike work area in my basement, my wife gives me a sideways glare, suggesting she’s thinking, “Not another one.” She is accustomed to me bringing home orphaned bikes, and is used to humoring me. Headbadge of 1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile.Īt the end of the day I put the Motobecane on my car rack, drive it home. The black and red winged head badge is bright and clear (figure 1). I measure the French Sedis chain and I can’t believe it is almost in original condition except for a bit of grime. I check the rims and they are Araya, 1970s classics from Japan. The cranks are classic French Stronglight, among the best of their times. This the highest quality frame material back in those days. I read the sticker on the frame and it says “Construit avec Reynolds 531 3 Tubes Renforces,” or constructed with Reynolds 531 double butted chrome-molly main tubing. I see that under the grimy handlebar tape is a set of made in French Pivo Professional handlebars. One good sign is that the bike has a set of Japanese Suntour Cyclone derailleurs. But I don’t know what’s under all that dirt?” At first glance I balk at the thought of renewing this bicycle, considering it too much work.
The formerly bright ruby red cables have faded to an austere, dark maroon brown and are frayed at the bends. The rubber brake hoods are marbleized and wrinkled.
#MOTOBECANE SERIAL NUMBER DATABASE CRACKED#
The thin 27 by 1/8 inch tires are cracked and sagging. The silver frame is covered with years of garage brown dirt hiding the imperfections of aging. This bike has the look of an over-powdered aging French Madame, down on her luck. The bike is covered in grime from years of sitting in a garage. The silver and red two-wheeler is leaning against a shed. He says, “Doug, do you want to take this on as a project. The former owner had saved it from the junk pile especially for me. I am looking at a vintage 21 inch Motobecane Grande Jubile bicycle.
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