My rebirthed Motobecane is simple but I really like riding it casually.elantra wrote: ↑Mon May 01, 2023 7:20 amI think I committed a crime against good taste by putting that style of bar tape (and the yellow electrical tape) on the black ITM handlebars.
So it has been removed and replaced with some Deda bar tape which is more comfortable and looks better.
The Motobecane Grand Touring is an interesting frame.
It’s a lightweight Vitus tubing.
According to the internet, it uses Suntour dropouts. The Lugwork and paint quality is very good, but no water bottle mounts !
Frame has plenty of room for 700x32 tyres but I doubt that 700x35 would fit.
By contrast, I have a similar size Shogun frame which I suspect is circa 1980.
It has slightly more space for tyres and slightly more laid back steerer angle. But the Shogun doesn’t steer as quickly and feels rather awkward riding out of the saddle.
I was concerned that the Motobecane might have strange French thread types in the BB.
But I was able to insert a fairly conventional old Japanese Cup & cone BB.
But only after being unable to fully screw in a 1990’s era Shimano sealed bottom bracket.
There have been some “improvements” mainly in the cockpit ergonomics.
That stem pictured above was not a long term proposition, I wanted something slightly longer and slightly taller. And preferably not fugly.
Anyhow I found a more functionally sized traditional quill stem but it didn’t like the ITM bars. Must have something to do with some infinitesimal difference between 26 mm and 1 inch
Enter some rather nice old period correct GB bars - fitted the stem perfectly
But in true Imperial tradition the GB bars are only 15 inches wide, not ideal for a tall bloke like me riding on gravel etc.
When the pivot point on that brake lever lost its ability to stay in its position I decided time for a rebuild.
Found some battered looking Campag Chorus brake levers and a slightly wider handlebar
It was a bit of a mission replacing the cables (Campag brake lever cables have a smaller knub at the start of cable)
And application of some new bar tape of course - it’s an “interesting” look that pattern. Not the most comfortable bar tape but this is not a bike for the long rides.
I might put some hoods on the Campagnolo brake levers - one day !
But I have no intention of taping the drops. Fullstop.
Hers a few now pics
and from the rear - saddle has “patina”. Modern saddlebag is (just) big enough to fit an IPhone mini
And the bar combo that was replaced