Rich, the graphics on this bike look early to mid-70's, although I've never seen this color scheme before. As far as I'm aware, Grand Records in that era were Reynolds 531 DB (metric gauge) AND 531 forks. I always found this strange, because it meant only the rear stays were not 531 (probably Vitus). Marketing-wise it would have made more sense to just make it all 531 DB, and it couldn't have cost much more. Metric gauge 531 was lighter than English gauge 531 or Columbus, so I would expect the frame to be a bit lighter than a Paramount of the same era.
In this era, French frames that were 531 DB throughout typically had half-chromed forks and stays. Those that were 531 DB maintubes only typically had half-chromed forks but painted stays, as is the case with my Grand Record. I would have expected this bike to have a half chromed fork, but there was a lot of variation from catalog specs by most manufacturers during the bike boom. I have a Motbecane Le Champion of this era, but painted in the red and black color scheme typical of Grand Record , and with extremely large brake clearances, more like a touring model. Compared to that, a painted fork on a Grand Record is not much of a descrepancy.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
Rich Pinder <rpinder@usc.edu> wrote: Bruce - I can't help ya with one, but seeing your post prompts me to ask a few questions to the list.
I just bought a yellow Grand Record frameset recently from the list, and I was curious about a few things. An exactly similar bike (actually, I first wondered if this unsuccessful ebay auction WAS my bike at first, the frame is so darn similar) is shown at the link below
1) I think this frame is an early 70's model. Unlike pics I found on Sheldons and Jerry's bikes, there is NO chrome on the fork (or rear). 2) Were all these frames Reynolds tubing ? There are no visible frame materials decals, or any of the characteristic faint ghost outlines where such a decal went. The frame feels light - quite similar to a same sized Paramount I've got stripped down. The FORK seems a bit heavier than my paramount fork though. 3) This one has a DECAL headbadge - so maybe it's a later bike ? 4)Where the seat stays hit the seat tube, the stays are a bit 'fluted' - there is a small, crease on the last 1.5" of the stay. 5) Jerry's bike, although it has the same sized and style graphics on the downtube, has totally different seat stays (plus the above mentioned chrome) 6) Serial numbers - I dont see any on this bike BB or elsewhere. I do see some faint, 5 or 6 digit numbers on BOTH rear dropouts..and theyre different numbers ! (did Motobecane put serial numbers stamped into dropouts ? If so, maybe the builder grabbed TWO with different serial numbers when he was brazing ? )
I bought the frame mainly because of the way the lugs looked. I also wanted to see if the BB height was lower than my other 59cm frames...which it seems to be. (also the frame seems to have a long trail). The yellow paint is in nice shape, but there seems to be a 'clear' coating that is splotchy on top the paint - this era bike would not likely have clear coat, but I wonder if someone put it on much later in its life. This clear isn't coming off easily, and likely will kill the graphics if I did get it off - so I think I'll respray it if I keep it.
Any comments you might have, or pics of other examples you could point me to, would be appreciated. I may put some pics of the lugs up on my pages. Link of Ebay bike is at:
Rich Pinder Van Nuys, CA
bruce thomson wrote:
> Listers I am kinda looking for a Motobecane Grand record or Le Champion in stated size. I just bought a Grand Jubilee and was slightly disappointed. Bruce
>
>
> Bruce Thomson Spokane WA 99204
> (509) 747 4314
> Masi3v4me@yahoo.com