OK people, I've only got another 500 posts remaining, so I've decided to make an attempt at decrypting one last serial number format. It seems Motobecane's format has been giving people fits, so I'm willing to give it a shot, if you want to play along. Most of you already know the drill. Post pictures of your Motobecane (full drive side and detail pictures of major components, tubing decal, headbadge and serial numbers). Provide as much info as possible on the components including brand, model and date codes (when available).
Search Stolen Bikes. For Stolen Bike by Serial Number: Full or Partial Number: Please enter alphanumerics. No spaces, hyphens, etc. Search for Stolen Bike.
Refer to the components page of the Vintage-Trek website if you need a primer on component date codes. Bonus points if you already know the year. NOTE: Motobecane often have several sets of numbers on the bottom bracket shell.
Black Lightning - Saison 1 (VOSTFR) Bull - Saison 2 (VOSTFR) Top Jeux. Les saisons en france.
I need ALL of them, as we don't which which holds the key to dating. I'll be tabulating and analyzing the data. A summary of the findings will be posted here (i.e. Hopefully, it will as successful as the other, similar threads (Bianchi, Centurion, Fuji, Miyata, Nishiki, etc.). Great idea and a noble mission. (Where's the little 'saluting' smilie?) My Grand Record is almost certainly 1974; it has the original Pat 74 Campy RD.
(Okay, 'almost certainly' original, take it up with my friend Bill Occam.) SN, as found on the rear non-drive DO: 2993974. There's a single, obscure letter B or possibly a numeral 6 or 8 on the bottom of the BB shell. It would be really neat if the 974 referred to the date, but no way is this that easy! Here are some pics, 'as found' and current. Tubing is 531 '3 Main Tubes.' Derailleurs are NR (pat 74), Cranks TA, pedals Atom, brakes Weinmann, hubs Maillard 'red label' Competition with Weinmann clinchers. Bars, stem, seat and seatpost had been changed out and Suntour barcons added.
I have put the 'correct' NR shifters and a Nitto 'Pearl' stem and bars on, and a recent Brooks Team Pro on an SR LaPrade seatpost. Also Tektro aero levers for the sake of my old, sore hands, and have been trying different pedals, lately 80s Specialized Touring. Most recently added new wheels, Campy HF hubs with modern Sun rims. My GR has a Swiss thread TA BB, everything else is English sizing. I started a thread specifically for the Grand Record, and several people contributed SNs and pictures.the SNs were all over the place. I also picked up a later 70s Mirage mixte for my daughter; thought I had the SN noted but apparently not; I'll add that later. This is a 1970-'72 Grand record.