Restored Motobecane Grand Record

My fun project of late has been restoring my old bike to its former glory.  In 1973 I bought my first real road bike, a Motobecane Grand Record.  I rode it everywhere, including to work, which was 17 miles one way.  As I had kids, this became the kid hauler, the trailer hauler, the bike for family rides through the orchard country of Wenatchee and Yakima.  When I went to law school in Moscow, a town full of gravel roads, the Motobecane hauled me to classes. After hanging in the garage for 12 years in Boise, down it came for a rebirth. 

The Grand Record has some good features and was toward the top of the line of the Motobecane brand.  I have since learned that many people think that  French road bikes of that period were the pinnacle of road bike design,  and have a different and desireable feel compared to more contemporary road bikes.  The Grand Record has tubes made of Reynolds 531 double butted tubes, and fancy Nervex lugs holding the tubes together.  It has some components made by Campagnolo, the premier bike components manufacturer.  Other componenets are so-so, but thanks to ebay I can upgrade them as part of the overhaul. 

This is the way the frame looked "before". 

These are the "after" shots, although it will look better after some ebay purchased parts get installed.

A host of bicycle patents and technology are in the bicycle technology category.

Comments

[todd]

Sweet! I have a couple semi-defunct older bikes hanging around that I just can't bring myself to sell; I expect to have a story or two like yours in another decade. So, does riding it make you feel old or young again?

[Marcus Dillecti]

Nice careful job Robert. Looks great!

[fixedgear]

Outstanding.

[Sean Murphy]

Wonderful! I have a 1977 Grand Record! Great bike, rode it across the US in 1980. Unfortunately, it does not look as nice as yours after a recent crash!. I found you blog while looking for a source for a new fork. Did you find parts any where else than ebay?

[Roger]

Your frame in the silver/black paint scheme is identical to mine.......I bought mine from a bike shop in Spokane, 1972-73. It has been warm and dry in my garage!! I gave the original leather Brooks saddle to a friend, also of cyclist infavor of a 'gel' type saddle, comfort.......never could get that leather one adjusted correctly.......I could today, oh well.

[Bruce]

I have just restored two of the Motobecanes', one Grand Record and the other a Grand Jubile. You will be pleased to know that all the decals have now been reproduced and are available for the restorations. BT

[charles]

I too have a 1973 Motobecane Grand Record. What a great riding bike. I rode it in NYC, at college in New Jersey, and did daily 25 mile loops around Belle Island in Detroit in the early 80s. I bought a new road bike (DeRosa) in 1989, but now I'd like to start riding the Motobecane again because of its easier touring gears. I'd be interested in knowing what specific parts you used to upgrade your bike. Thanks.

I put on a new campy seat post (be sure and get the right diameter), a new Cinelli stem, and Cinelli handlebars. And that is all I replaced. I did find original decals (replicas) for $40. Pricey, but nice. I ride that bike to work, and it has been fun to get it tuned up better than it ever was. I might look for 27" wheels, with campy hubs and mavic rims, then I'd be done.

[John]

I to wish to restore a Motobecane. Where can I purchase the decals?

[ROY RIZEK]

I just repurchased my 74 Grand Jubilee from the person I sold it to back in 92. Worse for the wear, but fixable. Front derailaure gone but no rust. I purchased a mid 80's Trek Tri Series thinking it would be better. It wasn't but couldn't admit it. Have`been riding recumbent for the past 3 years. The somewhat ridable Jubilee is as much of a treat as I remember. Yes, it makes you feel young again. The restoration project started yesterday.