Vintage French randonneuer's and porteurs.
- Thread starter Guinessisgoodforyou
- Start date
.... and a Motoconfort version with lovely leather panniers. Practically the same, just slight differences.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBK_industrie
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBK_industrie
For us Americans, leboncoin is forbidden candy shop of French classic bikes. I've given up emailing sellers trying to get them to ship internationally--never works!
I keep noticing how well finished Motobecane's were compared to other production French bikes of the era. The paint quality and brazing of the Grand Jubile and Grand Record models were as good if not better than Peugeot PX-10's, and far better than the Gitane, Jeunet, Mercier level bikes.
Turns out you can still buy a similar, in spirit, cantilever-bossed high end touring mixte bike, even in the same color:
https://handsomecycles.com/products/handsome-she-devil-road-sti-16-speed-bicycle
I keep noticing how well finished Motobecane's were compared to other production French bikes of the era. The paint quality and brazing of the Grand Jubile and Grand Record models were as good if not better than Peugeot PX-10's, and far better than the Gitane, Jeunet, Mercier level bikes.
Turns out you can still buy a similar, in spirit, cantilever-bossed high end touring mixte bike, even in the same color:
https://handsomecycles.com/products/handsome-she-devil-road-sti-16-speed-bicycle
^
Nice to see a contribution to this thread. For sure there is good stuff lurking there. I only post what I think is appropriate with good photographs which to be frank is sometimes a miracle in it's self.
Perhaps this won't make you feel much better, but at least a conciliation in a sick kind of way, believe me, even living in France it's an eye candy store too with harsh realities.
Leboncoin made massive changes over the last few years, and pushed them through in the middle of Covid very rushed and bug ridden.
Primarily, Leboncoin was / still is like going to your local Tobacconist and putting a hand written advert on the "local advert board" for many sellers (about 50% at a guess). All the effort is on the buyer and it can be like pulling teeth with seller. It's a nightmare. The new generation during / post Covid embrace the fact that you can do transactions with good security for small things. Leboncoin is in bed with a logistics provider (who just happens to be the most PITA for me) but at least they realised they needed to do something for the small part business.
You now need to have a French telephone number to register on Leboncoin, and even go as far as proving identity and address a bit like Ebay to stop scams. The business model is just 100% domestic France.
I can understand a potential frustration if you like the vintage French stuff, but don't think it's straight forward either domestically - for me it remains the worst purchasing channel and you have to have your wits about you.
I would never do a deal for a vintage bike unless I saw it, and eyeball the seller with a cash deal.
By the way, to be clear, this is not an invitation to being a broker either because even that is now bullet proof.
Sadly for overseas, Ebay is best. There are people who for sure buy on Leboncoin, do some value add, and re-sell internationally for a living.
Nice to see a contribution to this thread. For sure there is good stuff lurking there. I only post what I think is appropriate with good photographs which to be frank is sometimes a miracle in it's self.
Perhaps this won't make you feel much better, but at least a conciliation in a sick kind of way, believe me, even living in France it's an eye candy store too with harsh realities.
Leboncoin made massive changes over the last few years, and pushed them through in the middle of Covid very rushed and bug ridden.
Primarily, Leboncoin was / still is like going to your local Tobacconist and putting a hand written advert on the "local advert board" for many sellers (about 50% at a guess). All the effort is on the buyer and it can be like pulling teeth with seller. It's a nightmare. The new generation during / post Covid embrace the fact that you can do transactions with good security for small things. Leboncoin is in bed with a logistics provider (who just happens to be the most PITA for me) but at least they realised they needed to do something for the small part business.
You now need to have a French telephone number to register on Leboncoin, and even go as far as proving identity and address a bit like Ebay to stop scams. The business model is just 100% domestic France.
I can understand a potential frustration if you like the vintage French stuff, but don't think it's straight forward either domestically - for me it remains the worst purchasing channel and you have to have your wits about you.
I would never do a deal for a vintage bike unless I saw it, and eyeball the seller with a cash deal.
By the way, to be clear, this is not an invitation to being a broker either because even that is now bullet proof.
Sadly for overseas, Ebay is best. There are people who for sure buy on Leboncoin, do some value add, and re-sell internationally for a living.
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
Lots of cardboard for interleaving. Multiple shipping containers, because like ones going to be enough 
Worldwide post, er no they are for my shed, read house, loft, living room, garage, mates garage...It's a disease without cure. Welcome to the asylum @YankeeDan
Worldwide post, er no they are for my shed, read house, loft, living room, garage, mates garage...It's a disease without cure. Welcome to the asylum @YankeeDanGuinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
A very nice and sympathetic Automoto restoration.
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
Finished bicycle.
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
Cycles H.C of St Etienne 1950s. Original and very nice.
