Vintage French randonneuer's and porteurs.

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

This thread needs a restraining order.

The Mimosa and catalogue show some fascinating advancements in bike tech. 1300 old French Franc is 1057 Eur taking into account inflation, deflation and price erosion according to the national statistics economic institute. That sounds like a lot of bike for the money and better value than today. Makes you think if the bike industry today is a bit of a rip off.

Both the Mimosa and Pug had a very pro-level top class restoration, including re-chroming and re-nickel plating. The amount of WD40 used must have been eye watering! Every nut and bolt must have been a mini-adventure. Both are museum grade historical bikes and deserve this kind of attention.

The Liberia is interesting here because it represents something more achievable - a few parts swapped out (the 70s gear lever and Mafac hoods), freshened up and ready to ride.

Thanks mate As far as I can tell (Original text is French) the Mimosa has its original paint and plating, owner said it was covered in dried grease which preserved it. Apart from the handlebars. Same with the Peugeot, owner said there were financial constraints. Same owner for all three bikes. If you blow the pics up you can see the wear and Paint/plating loss. He cleans the frames with 000 steel wool and polish, then uses a "metal" varnish.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Motobecane CT2 1980 restoration. Not high end but a nice result for 41 years old.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Fin.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I saw this and had to post. 1952 Peugeot, forget the Pinion gearbox this was 1952, there is evidence of a bolt being hack sawed off clumsily on the left side of the gearbox sadly. As evidenced by the incorrect cap head fitted Owners translation below.

Here is a new one in the garage. It's a Peugeot bike that I haven't dated yet ... but with a Vilex epicyclic gearbox that dates from 1952 and gives 5 gears. This is the single cable version of the gearbox. Some parts are missing on the bike but the gearbox seems to be functional.
It will take its turn in the restoration list but here are some pictures.
Yes, apparently you could buy the Vilex box and mount it yourself on any bike, provided you cut the tubes at the bottom bracket and solder the Vilex box. Here are some documents that the previous owner gave with the bike (this is from his father).

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Plus.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Enjoy this very unique bicycle. Fin.

 

[grantoury]

Fascinating. Very clever that the gearbox could be fitted to existing bicycles, try that with a pinion. Rather small wheel size.

 

[Woz]

Officially utterly mental that. Unbelievable. God knows where you dig this from. Once again demonstrates nothing new in cycling.

 

[Woz]

@Guinessisgoodforyou - great post that Motobecance. These bikes are all around the world and left rotting most of the time, but it shows what can be done with some time and elbow grease. They are perfectly capable bicycles that can be picked up at jumbles, car boot sales, charity stores etc. Keeps the retro flame alive

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

@Guinessisgoodforyou - great post that Motobecance. These bikes are all around the world and left rotting most of the time, but it shows what can be done with some time and elbow grease. They are perfectly capable bicycles that can be picked up at jumbles, car boot sales, charity stores etc. Keeps the retro flame alive

I liked that one too woz. I think it's equally important to preserve the more everday bicycle as much as a constructeur. I enjoy and appreciate the work gone into the bike too. I've ridden a few Motobecanes from this era and they've all ridden just fine.