Comments on: Restored Motobecane Grand Record

By: shaver

shaver — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:33:35 +0000

I hope it sells. I have seen them on ebay once in a while. If you hve switched to 3 wheels, you should look at Catrikes.

By: Dave Houghton

Dave Houghton — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:37:10 +0000

I too have a ’72 Motobecane Grand Record, same original silver paint. Needs a new Stem and bars. Replaced the old Weiman Center pulls with Shimano Long reach side pulls, replaced the old Brooks with a gel too. Pedals have been replaced with Shimano SPD’s. Rims are newer 27 inch. Everything else is original. Stronglight cranks, Normandy competition hubs, Campagnolo Nuevo Record Changers front and rear. I puchased some used Campy competition hubs to replace the originals but have never gotten them installed. I got the bike shortly after I got out of the navy, rode it for 5 or so years then stored it until the the 1990′s when I started riding it to work. Stopped riding it about 2 years later when I got my Cannondale R800 but it was never as comfortable as the Grand Record. Nothing rides nicer than steel. Unfortunately I now have a neuropathy that prevents me from riding anything with 2 wheels. Am willing to sell to a buyer who appreciates it’s 10 speed vintage charm. P.S. I also have the metric crank puller for the original french cranks.

By: J. Todd

J. Todd — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 20:52:24 +0000

I am starting a restoration project on a 1981 Motobecane Grand Touring. THANK YOU for your close ups as I can use these to walk the painter as to what I am requesting.

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 19:08:39 +0000

I just bought a frame and some unmatched parts from a garage sell and built up a single speed. The frame is so beautiful. I’ve taped up all the lugs and repainted the black parts. Do you know what type and size the bottom bracket is? I want a better crank set may replace the fork with a 700 c compatible fork so I can get lighter wheels and a more modern brake. I was a little upset that the price of the frame and the crappy old mixed parts set me back about 300$ and I could have bought a new singlespeed for that, then I cleaned it up and rode it and wow it’s awesome.

By: Jerry Kalick

Jerry Kalick — Sun, 08 May 2011 18:21:10 +0000

Cool, I have a 1972 Motobecane Grand Record. The Weiman brakes were replaced when the bushings wore out. Repainted in 1989 by Cycle Arts in San Marcos, CA in 1991. Replaced the fork after crashing in the late 80′s. Had to replace the Pivo stem because it was to long. I still use the bike on a trainer, the Campy shifters still work great.

Jerry

By: Cory R

Cory R — Thu, 13 May 2010 03:50:28 +0000

I have a mid 70s (I think) Grand Record. Great shape. Blackish-bronze original paint. Vitus 172. Weinnman 405s. If interested, send offers.

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:21:06 +0000

George:

I took all the parts off, and took it to a powder coat shop. They sand blasted it, and the plastic badge shattered when they tried to remove it. The powder coat was $80, such a deal.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:05:24 +0000

Beautiful!

You are right about the Motobecane Grand Record being one of the best road bikes of all time. I have owned and ridden a Chiorda, a Legnano, a DeRosa, a Peugeot PX-10, and a Trek 730. But the best all around bike I ever owned was a Grand Record that looked just like your “before” picture. Wish I still had it! Treasure yours!

By: George

George — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:26:08 +0000

Nice.
I have a 73 Grand record that used to be Yellow. When i got it i upgraded to the high flange campy hubs and eventually put campy cranks on it Everything else is still the original althought i did put a larger nut on it as i got older (ahem)

Your photos inspired me to take it on as a project. I was 16 when i bought it-$240-mowed a lot of lawns.

How did you strip and paint it? Did you consider restring the motobecane label etc? I noticed that you took the big plastic M off the front. I think it is riveted on?

Thanks for the inspiration. I needed a new project for this upcoming winter.

By: Gordy

Gordy — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:42:39 +0000

Great job on the restoration of the Grand Record. I have a Grand Jubile that I purchased in 1973. I used it as a commuter from college in Bremerton Washington, and then to work (a ferry commute) to downtown Seattle. I started with a Moto Grand Touring. It was a great little bike, but it was a bit small for me, I’m 6’3″. I remember the feeling I got when I first road the Jubile. It was Cadillac in the way that it felt like you had something under you that was created in a perfect geometry. I road that bike across Canada, averaging 150 a day, and I have never ridden a bike that I felt so in tune with. I’m really happy to hear there are other “Moto Freaks” out there. I couldn’t bear to sell it, and am now performing a somewhat “blasphemed” restoration i.e. new side pulls (not OEM) to help stop the added weight through the years.
My bike originally came with a Huret “Jubile” long-arm Derailauer, which I put through the spokes on the Canada trip. I switched to Shimano, but recently picked up an old Dawes Super Galaxy that has the same Campy derailuer as the Grand Record “campy Edition”. It will at least be closer to original, or cross i.e. Grand-Record-Jubile? I guess a 531 fork would pretty much do the trick. Anyway…nice restoration. Like the other guy said…Inspiring.