My restored 1978 Motobecane
kingstonian
Posts: 2,847
I was given this bike in about 1987 by my neighbour at the time, who was a big cyclist. I rode it a lot in the late 80's and early 90's as a training bike but it ended up in a garage in 1995, until I dug it out a few weeks ago. It was in a right state, I wanted to give it a go to see if I could bring it back to life and have it as an occasional bike.
Stripped the frame of all components, cleaned all the components (lots of elbow grease, babywipes, Brasso etc), bought a replacement rear derailleur, bought a new saddle (Brooks, naturally), found someone locally to strip the paint off the frame and give it a great respray, and then built it back up. Decided I wanted to keep it retro so went with old-style brake levers etc.
The original rear wheel wasn't recoverable so we found one that keeps the look. I have 1970's Shimano pedals bought on ebay en route to me.
If anyone in SW London wants a frame resprayed I can recommend T and B Workshop in Walton. They did a great job for me, were ultra-helpful and as interested in the project as I was.
Frame is Vitus 888, the colour is matched to Jaguar Maroon, a colour they used on cars in the 1950's. The original bike colour was a gross green and I wanted something different. Decals were from Velocals.
I've taken it for four rides now, it rides beautifully. Weighs bang on 8.5kg, if I wanted to I could easily get it below 8kg (the original seatpost weighs a ton!!!) but that isn't the aim.
Stripped the frame of all components, cleaned all the components (lots of elbow grease, babywipes, Brasso etc), bought a replacement rear derailleur, bought a new saddle (Brooks, naturally), found someone locally to strip the paint off the frame and give it a great respray, and then built it back up. Decided I wanted to keep it retro so went with old-style brake levers etc.
The original rear wheel wasn't recoverable so we found one that keeps the look. I have 1970's Shimano pedals bought on ebay en route to me.
If anyone in SW London wants a frame resprayed I can recommend T and B Workshop in Walton. They did a great job for me, were ultra-helpful and as interested in the project as I was.
Frame is Vitus 888, the colour is matched to Jaguar Maroon, a colour they used on cars in the 1950's. The original bike colour was a gross green and I wanted something different. Decals were from Velocals.
I've taken it for four rides now, it rides beautifully. Weighs bang on 8.5kg, if I wanted to I could easily get it below 8kg (the original seatpost weighs a ton!!!) but that isn't the aim.
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Comments
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Now I have figured out how to upload images, here are more.......
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It looks wonderful! A great restoration.
It is again a very sturdy, well built, dependable bike for enjoyable riding.
Now you need to find some suitable shoes and cleats to use with toe clips and straps.
Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA0 -
Nice
Is it pre 81?
What hub is that on the front wheel?my isetta is a 300cc bike0 -
Beautiful. You should be riding L'Eroica today on that machine!0
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team47b wrote:Nice
Is it pre 81?
What hub is that on the front wheel?
Yep, built in 1978
The hub is Normandy, the rim is Rigida. I think they are original to the bike - I certainly haven't changed them in the 25+ years I've owned it.0 -
MiddleRinger wrote:Beautiful. You should be riding L'Eroica today on that machine!
Yeah, one day !!!0 -
Kingstonian wrote:team47b wrote:Nice
Is it pre 81?
What hub is that on the front wheel?
Yep, built in 1978
The hub is Normandy, the rim is Rigida. I think they are original to the bike - I certainly haven't changed them in the 25+ years I've owned it.
Oh yeah, clue was in the title :oops:my isetta is a 300cc bike0
