I wasn't even looking for another bike to restore. When I first saw it I
immediately recognised the pre-1970 headbadge and then looked it over carefully
to determine if it was restorable. There was quite a bit of that light
brownish rust on the rims and crankset, but the chrome had not been lifted or
cracked. That cleaned up easily with oil and steel wool, but they will need to
be wiped down with an oily rag every so often.
So I now have three Motobécanes from the late 1960s.
>
>That’s very pretty, Chris. Congratulations on getting one at last.
>
>Chris
>
>> On 27 Oct 16, at 16:38, Jim Nichols <jhnichols@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>> Congratulations! A lot of work, but you do end up with a showpiece. It has
>> a light, delicate look to it, but I suspect that the strength is in the
>> materials.
>>
>> Jim Nichols
>> Tullahoma, TN USA
>>
>> On 10/27/2016 10:30 AM, Chris Trask wrote:
>>> I lived in France for a few years back in the early 60s, and I came
>>> away with a passion for French bicycles. They were slim and light compared
>>> to my American cast iron Huffy, which I got for Christmas in 1957 and last
>>> rode in 1973.
>>>
>>> When I graduated from high school in 1969 I was focused on a number of
>>> things, one of which was to own a French bike. That did not become a
>>> reality until 1974 when I spent $375 for a Motobecane Grand Tour, which I
>>> still have. That bike traveled everywhere with my, including three months
>>> in Germany.
>>>
>>> The passion for French bikes grew after I retired, and in recent years
>>> I've managed to acquire a number of French bikes, mostly Motobecane with a
>>> few Peugeots, Gitanes, and a few other obscure brands such as Mercier,
>>> Liberia, and Stella.
>>>
>>> Last week I came across my long-wanted high school graduation gift: A
>>> 1969 Motobecane Mirage. A few scratches, as to be expected, but in overall
>>> good condition. I spent days restoring it, cleaning off decades of dried
>>> lubricant glaze with Liquid Wrench and a toothbrush and replacing non-OEM
>>> parts. All that effort paid off, the result being:
>>>
>>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/29968305734/in/dateposted-public/
>>>
>>> The Randonneur bend handlebar is an earmark for the Mirage model, used
>>> right up to the end of production in 1984:
>>>
>>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/29966514533/in/dateposted-public/
>>>
>>> The Mirage was not considered to be an exceptional bike, but back in
>>> the Golden Era it was one of the best bike values you could find, roughly
>>> equivalent to the more expensive Peugeot UO-8. The 1020 alloy frame made
>>> it ride lighter than the 531 alloy that Peugeot used on the UO-8/10.
>>>
>>> There is still more work to be done, such as replacing the rusted
>>> steel spokes on the front wheel and polishing the tarnished stainless steel
>>> spokes on the rear wheel, which is labourious and takes 3-4 hours. Final
>>> touches will be brown handlebar tape, brake lever hoods, and monogrammed
>>> handlebar plugs, such as these:
>>>
>>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/15294647523/in/photolist-MEgmUw-pix4Rn-ee7ptG
>>>
>>> or these:
>>>
>>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/29969078414/in/dateposted-public/
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Chris
>>>
>>> When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro
>>> - Hunter S. Thompson
>>
>> --
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>>
>
>--
>_________________________________________________________________
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>
Chris
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro
- Hunter S. Thompson
--
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