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French Thread on '82 Motobecane?

Started by Art Harris · · Last activity · 3 posts · 1,619 views

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Cycling Equipment
Published
7 October 2003
Last activity
8 October 2003
Original author
Art Harris
Posts
3
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Public discussion
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Topics
Drivetrain compatibility

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  1. Original post
    Art Harris
    Archived post
    #1

    My wife has a 1982 Motobecane model "Grand Touring," and has started riding again after a few
    years off the bike. I cleaned it up, replaced the brakes, cables, and housings, and it's riding
    pretty well.

    It has a nice lugged frame (Vitus 888 straight gauge) with generous clearance and wheelbase. I'm
    thinking of upgrading it further, but am not sure if it has French or English threads. (My 1981
    Motobecane had French thread, but I think they switched to English shortly thereafter.)

    Anyone know for sure if the '82 Motobecanes had French thread?

    I can live with the fact that the bike was designed for 27" wheels and normal reach brakes. But
    French thread might be a show stopper.

    Couple of other questions:

    1) Could I install a different crankset (like Veloce, Sora, or Alivio) on the existing BB? It
    currently has a Stronglight 99 crankset
    (1/1/1).

    2) Are the rear dropouts on these old French bikes compatible with modern derailleurs? The stock der
    is a Huret Duopar Eco.

    Thanks, Art Harris

    Report
  2. Sheldon Brown
    Archived post
    #2

    Quoth Art Harris:

    Quoted message said:

    My wife has a 1982 Motobecane model "Grand Touring," and has started riding again after a few
    years off the bike. I cleaned it up, replaced the brakes, cables, and housings, and it's riding
    pretty well.

    It has a nice lugged frame (Vitus 888 straight gauge) with generous clearance and wheelbase. I'm
    thinking of upgrading it further, but am not sure if it has French or English threads. (My 1981
    Motobecane had French thread, but I think they switched to English shortly thereafter.)

    Anyone know for sure if the '82 Motobecanes had French thread?

    Most '80s Motos were Swiss thread, which is the same as French except that the fixed cup of the BB
    is left hand threaded.

    Quoted message said:

    1) Could I install a different crankset (like Veloce, Sora, or Alivio) on the existing BB? It
    currently has a Stronglight 99 crankset
    (52/47/36).

    Yes, but the chainline may be a bit far out. We commonly replace the BB spindle when doing this sort
    of upgrade, but us the original cups if they're not toasted.

    Quoted message said:


    2) Are the rear dropouts on these old French bikes compatible with modern derailleurs? The stock
    der is a Huret Duopar Eco.

    If the hanger has a threaded hole, yes. If not, it can be modified to fit.

    See: sheldonbrown.comvelos.html

    Sheldon "Filetage Suisse" Brown +----------------------------------------+
    | Lottery: the closest thing we have | to a tax on stupidity. |
    +----------------------------------------+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts Phone
    617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041 harriscyclery.comharriscyclery.com Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
    captainbike.comcaptainbike.com sheldonbrown.comsheldonbrown.com

    Report
  3. Rocky
    Archived post
    #3

    ???????

    i have a moto Grand Touring vintage about 1977 or so and I thought it had english threads....

    q2: any idea if it's worth anything?

    rocky

    "Sheldon Brown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Quoth Art Harris:

    Quoted message said:

    My wife has a 1982 Motobecane model "Grand Touring," and has started riding again after a few
    years off the bike. I cleaned it up, replaced the brakes, cables, and housings, and it's riding
    pretty well.

    It has a nice lugged frame (Vitus 888 straight gauge) with generous clearance and wheelbase. I'm
    thinking of upgrading it further, but am not sure if it has French or English threads. (My 1981
    Motobecane had French thread, but I think they switched to English shortly thereafter.)

    Anyone know for sure if the '82 Motobecanes had French thread?

    Most '80s Motos were Swiss thread, which is the same as French except that the fixed cup of the BB
    is left hand threaded.

    Quoted message said:

    1) Could I install a different crankset (like Veloce, Sora, or Alivio) on the existing BB? It
    currently has a Stronglight 99 crankset
    (52/47/36).

    Yes, but the chainline may be a bit far out. We commonly replace the BB spindle when doing this
    sort of upgrade, but us the original cups if they're not toasted.

    Quoted message said:


    2) Are the rear dropouts on these old French bikes compatible with modern derailleurs? The stock
    der is a Huret Duopar Eco.

    If the hanger has a threaded hole, yes. If not, it can be modified to


    fit.

    Quoted message said:


    See: sheldonbrown.comvelos.html

    Sheldon "Filetage Suisse" Brown +----------------------------------------+
    | Lottery: the closest thing we have | to a tax on stupidity. |
    +----------------------------------------+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts Phone
    617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041 harriscyclery.comharriscyclery.com Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
    captainbike.comcaptainbike.com sheldonbrown.comsheldonbrown.com

    Report

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