If a CR'er is interested in this Seattle butterpecan, I can probably pry
loose an hour or two if necessary to check it out or help with the sale.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/
My own Teal Le Champion came with Mafac Racers, but otherwise matches the specs Chas has for it. Mine might be a '71. I remember when they switched to Universal 61s. A mechanic in the bikeshop I worked at tried to toe-in the pads on a Le Champ with 61s by bending, and as some of you no doubt know firsthand, those arms don't bend, they snap.
One Le Champ bit I find extra interesting is the Campy hubs are Nuovo Tipo, but with kidney-shaped holes in the flanges ("kidney-bean-shaped" if you're a vegetarian), like a Record hub. AFAIK this Tipo variant came only on Motobecanes.
Mark Bulgier Seattle WA USA
Chas. Colerich wrote
> I have a an all original (except tires, toe straps and tape)
> black and red 1972 Le Champion like this frame.
>
> I've been told that the black and red Le Champions were pretty
> rare and that Ben Lawee the US Motobecane importer/distributor
> at that time special ordered a batch of them in. The standard
> color was teal blue metallic with ivory white trim but there
> may have been some in yellow and black too.
>
> Here's a list of the original 1971-72 Specs:
>
> Frame Reynolds 531
> Fork Reynolds 531
> Lugs Prugnat long point
> Rims AVA tubular
> Hubs Campagnolo high flange
> Spokes stainless steel laced 3 cross
> Tires Vittoria Mondiale tubular
> Pedals Lyotard alloy quill
> Crank Stronglight 93
> Chain Sedis
> Bottom Bracket Stronglight
> Front Derailleur Campagnolo Nuovo Record
> Rear Derailleur Campagnolo Nuovo Record
> Shifters Campagnolo Nuovo Record
> Handlebars 3ttt
> Stem 3ttt Record
> Headset Stronglight Competition V4
> Brake set Universal Mod. 61
> Brake levers Universal
> Saddle Brooks Professional
> Seat Post Alloy straight
> Colors Teal Blue w/ white accents
>
> Of course these were built during the Bike Boom so a lot of items
> could have been substituted on any given bike. I have pictures of
> a black and red Le Champion from that era that has Nervex
> Professional lugs!
>
> Thanks to Robert S. Broderick for posting a 1973 Bicycling
> Magazine review of the Motobecane Le Champion by Richard Jow.
>
> http://www.velo-pages.com/