CR Listers, I made a mistake by posting an important request as a branch of a thread with only tangential relevance and since I got virtually no response from my announcement, I decided to try again to focus some attention on it.
I purchased a bike worth far more than I paid for it and considering that it may have been lifted from its rightful owner, before I do anything with the bike, would like to see if anyone is aware of someone having lost a silver/black Grand Jubile like this.
If you recall hearing about a lost MGJ, please let me know. Thank you,
Jon M. Crate Marietta, Georgia USA
I was walking back from my back door neighbor's house Sunday after discussing what we should do about some trees when I noticed a large silver bike laying against a pile of debris.
It appeared to be too large for me and way too large for him. I know that no one in his family was any taller than him, so I went back to ask about it.
He said he paid $3 for it in a yard sale.
It is a mighty fine Motobecane Grand Jubilee with mostly original parts (brakes and wheels were changed, but both derailleurs, shifter, seat, seat post, brake levers, stem and handlebar are all high end original French parts, including a Stronglight 49 crank, Stronglight Competition headset, Pivo stem and bar, Huret Jubile derailleurs and shifters.
I told him it was worth a lot of money and was a collector's item. He offered to give it to me since it was too big for him to ride (tires are rotten also). I offered him $23, he said $20 would be enough, I said no you should get back your $3 plus the $20.
I would feel guilty but for three things: I have saved it from being left in the weather any longer and more importantly, I am willing to return it to its owner if it was reported missing. The third is he is happy with the profit of $20.
I have published the photos of it - minus the bottom bracket.
http://s987.photobucket.com/
If you know of anyone having lost one like it, let me know and provide the serial number to me. There is also a name and social security number engraved by hand on the bottom bracket (not shown) and one of the pedals (shown).
Recent threads about the recovery of stolen bikes and the ridiculous price of this one makes me ask: What else should I do to determine if it were stolen other than ask the local police and post it here?
Can anyone tell me the year of this bike?
Many Thanks,
Jon M. Crate
Marietta, Georgia USA