RE: [CR]Motobecane Champion Team Track Bike

(Example: Humor)

From: "RB" <2wheelseal@earthlink.net>
To: "CR" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: RE: [CR]Motobecane Champion Team Track Bike
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2005 09:34:00 -0800
In-Reply-To: <26064169.1132417095902.JavaMail.root@elwamui-hound.atl.sa.earthlink.net>


Yep, these are mostly 22.0mm instead of 22.2 in that era. I'm puzzled how it is you have a standard headset in there, normally it would be a French thread steerer, and not fit. Are you sure the headset is not French? (Look uner the top nut/cup, it will be stamped 35x1 if it's French.

If the headset is fully installed, I suggest taking the top nut loose/off, and checking stem insertion to be sure it's not hanging up on the top nut.

Some people sand down the stems to make them fit, but that's not going to work on a steel Cinelli. The steerer walls are very thin on those, so thinning it more is probably not a good idea.

Check with Sheldon Brown for other possible solutions.

Bill Roberts Jacksonville, OR

-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org]On Behalf Of Guy Apple Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2005 8:18 AM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Motobecane Champion Team Track Bike

Hi to all,

I have this Motobecane track bike frame set circa 1973-73. I aquired a steel Cinelli Milano handlebar stem for it. The dang stem doesn't fit. It goes into the headtube about 2in-2.5in and hangs up because the tube is tapering in. Question is did Motobecane or French builders use a smaller steering tube than typical, 22mm? This has got me pretty confused because I have a everyday steel NR strada headset on it right now so I figure the OD is standard. No clue...what do I do?

Thanks
Guy Apple
Sunnyvale CA