Since I just purchased another Merckx it is time the 74 Motobecane Grand Record is put on the sale block. I purchased this in Feb 1975 and rode it until 1981 when I broke the head tube. Since I repaired the head tube it had been ridden very infrequently, since I purchased a Motobecane Le Champ in 81 and rode it to death.
1974 Motobecane Grand Record Nervex lug full 531 frame 23" or 57cm The frame was supposed to be all Reynolds 531. Well it wasn't. I broke the head tube at the top of the bottom head tube lug in a sprint in 81.
I have talked to at least 3 other Classics list members and they verify that their Grand Record also had a head tube that was not 531 and was seamed ( Durifort???)
I used a die grinder and a lot of time to grind out the old broken head tube from the inside of the Nervex lugs to save the Nervex head lugs a 2 weekend job. A new 531 head tube was fitted to the original lugs and silver soldered in 82. At the same time I updated the frame to current (81 era) braze on components and got rid of all the campy cable guides and water bottle clamps (this was not a collector bike then just a nice bike I wanted to continue ridding),which I did not really do. It has been garage furniture most of the time since. All Campy Record components. Nuovo Record long reach Brakes W rear Campy drop bolt Nuovo Record levers, with great condition hoods. Nuovo Record 2 bolt seatpost , 74 vintage Nuovo Record down tube shift levers Braze on Campy Super Record Pedals with toe clips Binda extra toe straps (2 each pedal) Nuovo Record Triple crankset with 36/46/51 or 54 chainrings Or 42 53 Super Record 175mm crankset Phil Wood BB (with Phil wood removal tools 2 each ) Nuovo Record headset Uncut stem with long spacer Nuovo Record derailleur front Super Record derailleur with steel pivot pins pat 78. Custom cable ends on all shift cables ends and brake cables New Black lined shift cables Stainless steel rear derailleur cable housing with custom aluminum end fittings 2 Sun tour Winner freewheels available 12-19 , 12-21,12-23 or 12-24 Ideale 90 saddle excellent condition very high polish and soft not hard. I used Proofhide on it after most rides 42cm Cinelli bars and 1A 12cmstem Silca frame fit pump Painted to match the frame (under top tube with pump peg on head tube. Campy head New 96 Mavic Reflex rims with Campy Record low flange hubs and DT db spokes. New Vittoria tires. Bike has been stored inside since new.
Repainted to factory original colors Silver and Black in 2001. Before painting I had the alignment checked by Mark Nobilette. He found the steering tube was not 531 either and this was replaced with a Columbus SL steering tube and aligned the frame. (Cost $175.00) Entire bike was stripped to bare metal, frame was acid etched and acid etching primer was used before painting with Dupont Centari. All text and graphics were painted on as decals not available. Correct Reynolds French 531 decals applied
Lots of time and $$$$ invested in this bike $700/best offer Photos available contact me off list if interested.
Chuck Johnston
970-484-1236
Ft Collins Co