[CR]Re: Motobecane ID

(Example: History)

In-Reply-To: <CATFOODRxsjA44cryWc000003fb@catfood.nt.phred.org>
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 00:27:02 -0500
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Herb Langston" <langston@interaccess.com>
Subject: [CR]Re: Motobecane ID

>Edward Smith asked:
>
>>I have a 70's Motobecane Super Mirage is there anyone out there that
>can
>>tell me the exact year it was made or get original replacement parts
>>to restore it? The serial # is 4379484.
>
>If you have the original wheels the Normandy hubs have a date stamp.
>Should put you in the ballpark. No idea about date codes in the serial
>numbers.
>Jim Cole

I have a black and red Super Mirage that I bought new in 1977. Don't know what the serial number is but I can look next time I'm out in the garage. I don't have the original wheels, unfortunately, but would like to find a set of Normandy hubs and some wide 27" rims.

I rebuilt my Moto many years ago after a "friend" totalled it on the Chicago lakefront after running into a pedestrian (he then bought a used Raleigh, which I rebuilt for him- he totalled that one, too, also after running into a pedestrian). So now it has skinny wheels and a lot of Campy parts, including Campy touring rear dropouts that an old bike shop welded in to replace the bent originals.

I am currently in the process of rebuilding/restoring it, with the idea of using as many French-made parts as possible (i.e. replacing the original SunTour components with Huret or Simplex), but having some difficulty finding what I need (like Normandy HF hubs).

You can e-mail me off-list with any questions you have. I have the original dealer catalog from '77 and can tell you what the original equipment was for that year.

Herb Langston
Evanston, IL