Motobecane Serial Number Database

New 2015 Motobecane Motobecane serial number database - bike so i ve decided to make an attempt at decrypting one last serial number format. It seems ortgazm List your bike here to add it to the national database of stolen bikes, so it bikinginla Just did, still looking for the serial number. Stolen Motobecane Database. Stolen property database. Dec 25, 2017 - The bike's serial number on the bottom bracket is 7749062 followed by 702. The numbers stamped on the drop outs are 47917. I do not believe.

1. 1982 Motobecane Catalog
2. Bike Serial Number Database

Motobecane Grand Record, 2nd from the top of the line. The main triangle is very desirable Reynolds 531 double butted tubing and it should have Campagnolo dropouts. Decals and head badge suggest pre-1974 while the combination of Weinmann brakes and Reynolds 531 forks suggest post 1970. So, it would appear to be circa 1971-1973. Motobecane appears to have used a sequential serial number format, with no year indicator, however based on the samples in my database we still be able to narrow it down. The rear derailleur should also have a patent date adjacent to the cable housing recess, which should be close to the build date.

This model was marketed as a upscale touring model but that was mainly due to the presence of clincher wheelset as opposed to tubulars. However those look like they may be tubular wheels, which would at least explain the atypical Campagnolo Tipo hubset.

It's a nice model on the cusp between mid-range and high end and appears to be in good shape for it's age. The problem is that it also brings the idosyncrasies associated with French bicycles of the era. Stems and posts are slightly undersize compared to most lighweights. Most threading will be French. French sized/threaded replacement parts can harder to find and more expensive. The Stronglight crankset has a proprietary extractor threading and requires the proper remover. Aftermarket ones are still available but quite expensive.

Still, this is a very desirable model and, for most owners, warrants the extra effort associate with the French heritage. Congratulations, it's a nice acquisition. Those bikes are still popular, especially for building up rando bikes.

It's a great find and will make a sweet ride. Panaracer Paselas are very good 27' clinchers, available in 1', 1-1/8' or 1-1/4'. Probably all you need to do is service the bearings and replace the tires. Yes, the crank threads are 23.35mm and people offering crank puller tools on ebay want about $100 for them (a couple are currently listed). Otherwise, I don't see you need much for parts. Between this forum and CR, you might be able to find someone who will let you borrow one with a deposit.

Sheldon has the details on French threading You can really improve those brakes by replacing the pads with Kool Stop Dura cartridges (based on my 40 years of high-load Weinmann use). Except that those may not be clinchers on the bicycle. It appears that a previous owner may have converted from the OEM clinchers, as those look like Clement tubular tires on Fiamme red label tubular rims.

(Hence, the Campagnolo Tipo hubs versus the typical Normandy). Plus, the brake pads appear to be sitting lower than normal in the mounting slots, which would be indicative of the 4mm smaller bead seat radius of tubulars versus 27'clinchers.

So, the owner may also have the decision of whether he wants the immediate expense of converting to an OEM clincher style wheelset or put up with the long term expense and relative fragility of tubulars. Given that THE owner is a Schwinn person, he may find the tubular experience to be frustrating, unless he's familiar with Paramounts. As for Stronglight crank pullers, there is a far cheaper, though still expensive option. Stein manufactures Stronglight and TA pullers. You can purchase them through several mail order shops, such as Velo-Orange, for about $55.00 US.

However, the ride quality of good tubulars for many of us make up for the trouble of learning to glue them. (still nice to have a clincher wheelset sitting around to swap) There is also an easy flat kit that will get you home from a flat - a 2-oz bottle of Stan's plus 1/4-oz bottle of Zap-a-gap, and a valve core tool note that also requires removable valve cores, which are typical of higher-grade tires the good news is it's not difficult to find a reasonably priced clincher wheelset with 120mm rear axle spacing, which will take a comparable freewheel.

Most new pre-built clincher wheelsets with that rear axle spacing and taking a 5-speed freewheel are going to be 27 inch (which would get you back to Panaracer tires). Most trouble and expense with best result would probably be building up a 700c clincher wheelset, because of the big range of modern tires available.

OK people, I've only got another 500 posts remaining, so I've decided to make an attempt at decrypting one last serial number format. It seems Motobecane's format has been giving people fits, so I'm willing to give it a shot, if you want to play along. Most of you already know the drill.

Post pictures of your Motobecane (full drive side and detail pictures of major components, tubing decal, headbadge and serial numbers). Provide as much info as possible on the components including brand, model and date codes (when available). Refer to the components page of the Vintage-Trek website if you need a primer on component date codes. Bonus points if you already know the year.

NOTE: Motobecane often have several sets of numbers on the bottom bracket shell. I need ALL of them, as we don't which which holds the key to dating.

I'll be tabulating and analyzing the data. A summary of the findings will be posted here (i.e. Hopefully, it will as successful as the other, similar threads (Bianchi, Centurion, Fuji, Miyata, Nishiki, etc.).

Great idea and a noble mission. (Where's the little 'saluting' smilie?) My Grand Record is almost certainly 1974; it has the original Pat 74 Campy RD.

(Okay, 'almost certainly' original, take it up with my friend Bill Occam.) SN, as found on the rear non-drive DO: 2993974. There's a single, obscure letter B or possibly a numeral 6 or 8 on the bottom of the BB shell. It would be really neat if the 974 referred to the date, but no way is this that easy! Here are some pics, 'as found' and current. Tubing is 531 '3 Main Tubes.'

Derailleurs are NR (pat 74), Cranks TA, pedals Atom, brakes Weinmann, hubs Maillard 'red label' Competition with Weinmann clinchers. Bars, stem, seat and seatpost had been changed out and Suntour barcons added. I have put the 'correct' NR shifters and a Nitto 'Pearl' stem and bars on, and a recent Brooks Team Pro on an SR LaPrade seatpost.

Also Tektro aero levers for the sake of my old, sore hands, and have been trying different pedals, lately 80s Specialized Touring. Most recently added new wheels, Campy HF hubs with modern Sun rims. My GR has a Swiss thread TA BB, everything else is English sizing. I started a thread specifically for the Grand Record, and several people contributed SNs and pictures.the SNs were all over the place. I also picked up a later 70s Mirage mixte for my daughter; thought I had the SN noted but apparently not; I'll add that later.

This is a 1970-'72 Grand record. Nuovo Record shifting, Normandy 'red label' hubs, Fiamme rims, Stronglight seatpost, competition head set and bottom bracket. Stronglight 49A cranks and Universal 61 calipers. The pedals, brake levers and stem were changed. The handlebars are still original Pivo. The saddle is not original, Ideal 90 Inside right drop 64316 Outside left drop 6 (2 or 8) 73418 by, on Flickr by, on Flickr by, on Flickr And we have the 1978 Le champ frame. Original color was gold.

Nine tubes Reynolds 531, Bocoma competition long point lugs and Huret dropouts. On the BB shell 42(8 or 3)6898-883 by, on Flickr by, on Flickr by, on Flickr. Well, it really interesting to see the variation on the serial number format.

Some are on the dropouts (both sides no less), some are the bottom bracket. Some have five characters, most are seven (for the base number). One has a supplemental set of three characters and another has two supplemental sets of three characters. Initial analysis indicates that most appear to follow a simple sequential numbering arrangement. There are two major exceptions. First is rootboy's Team Champion, which is also the sole sample with a five character number.

However, this may be indicative that the Team Champions were made in a separate division. The other exception is Frank's Grand Record which starts with a '6', while others appear to be pre-1979 and don't get above a '4'. Of course, with the limited number of samples at hand, it's too early to make any definitive statements but I just wanted to pop in and thank the contributors and let them know I am working on this. Lugnut, I've got your serial number.

1982 Motobecane Catalog

I found it while scrounging some other threads for Moto S/N. I bought a 1972 Le Champion this week from the original owner. He bought it new in 1973. The only non original parts on it are bar end shifters and he added a third ring to the crankset. He is going to send me the original shifters, frame pump, and sales slip. Unfortunately for me, he painted over the teal and white with a red & black scheme and I am going to have to do a repaint.

I dated the bike by the 72 patent on the RD and the 1972 catalog which shows the teal and white bike without chrome fork tips, which matches mine perfectly. There are numbers on the BB that are engraved and I suspect are the original owners drivers license number - so I won't be posting them. The numbers on the ND rear dropout are: 1419322 My Le Champion has the plastic, riveted on, head badge.

Here is my recently acquired early 70's Grand Record. Number on outside of left drop out: 1426239 (note that the 6 is a best guess, also the line between 3 and 9 is not a 1) Number on inside of right drop out: 64216 Here are the components and other details (note shown are the Normandy Competition gold label hubs, Stronglight Competition headset, Brooks Pro with no date digits visible, and Weinmann 610 brakes). I strongly believe everything is original equipment, with the possible exception of the Weinmann clinchers.

Edit: I forgot to mention there are no markings on the bottom bracket. T-Mar, I posted this information back in October 2009 but I'll repost it here to help in your efforts. The local CL had a post last week where the seller was cleaning out her shed. For the asking price of $10, I was able to pick up a 70's Motobecane mixte in Champagne color with brown stripes, and additional mixte frame and fork stripped of its original paint, a set of 27' steel wheels, a new gum wall tire and a box of mics parts; several kick stands, some reflectors and several bells. The bike's serial number on the bottom bracket is 7749062 followed by 702.

The numbers stamped on the drop outs are 47917. Cranks are Suntour Tourney with 40 and 52 tooth chain rings. The crank arms have the following numbers stamped on the backs, 76.7 on the left arm and and 76.11 on the right arm. I assume these are date stamps. The rear derailleur, a Suntour VGT Luxe, is missing, the FD is a Suntour Compe V.

The shift levers, which were stem mounted SunTour Power Shifters, are also missing. Rear brake is a Weinmann 750 center pull, front brake is missing. Wheels are Weimann alloys with Normandy high flanged hubs dated 77.

Based on this information and the following pictures, can someone tell me exactly what year and model Moto I have? I believe it's a '77 model year. Here's the most recent photo taken during it's rebuilding process, though not yet complete. Have you tried comparing the specs on your mixte to ones that might be in catalog scans on the net?

Bike Serial Number Database

Do a Google search on Motobecane Catalogs. There's quite a few on the net. And a couple other sources. The internet is your best bet.I've checked out those exact sites back in 2009 when I originally posted my photos of the Super Mirage. Comparing the catalog photos and spec sheets, I determined it is a '77. That year the tubing changed to 2040, they first offered the Super Mirage in Champagne Gold and the saddle was suede.

In '78 the saddle changed to a black Record 'E' Touring padded saddle. Thanks for taking this on, and perfect timing on my end.

I came to the forums yesterday actually looking to find a way to date my garage sale pick up of a Moto Mirage. It was cheap and would have bought it anyway since it's the coolest color frame I've come across in a while. I've given it a quick once over and think it's actually going to stay with me now rather than sell.

Like it a lot. I am guessing, just from quick reviews of 70's catalogues that this is around 74? I don;t know, just a guess, based somewhat on the 1020 tubing specs. Seems all original except for the bars of course. Suntour GT RDR. Maillard hubs, Nervar crank. If anyone has a better idea than my guess I'd love to hear it.

Only id's I found were the '609' under the frame and the '2426850' and the 'A24' on the dropout.