Motobecane Serial Number Database

I've checked out those exact sites back in 2009 when I originally posted my photos of the Super Mirage. Comparing the catalog photos and spec sheets, I determined it is a '77. Well, there you go, then. Seems like you already know the answer.

• 1985 Motobecane Jubilee Sport
• 1982 Motobecane Catalog

It can sometimes be difficult to nail down exact year of manufacture on these things as they rolled over both old photos and specs in some catalogs, and components may have fluctuated a bit from catalog specs depending on availability. T-Mar 09-02-13 10:28 AM. The bike's serial number on the bottom bracket is 7749062 followed by 702. The numbers stamped on the drop outs are 47917. I do not believe the lead number is a '7'. Current data suggests the serial numbers are purely sequential with no year designator and a '7' would be greatly out of sequence. The lead character actually appears to be several partial stampings of a '3', (see attached, highlighted photo).

A '3' would be in sequence with the other submitted serial numbers. If you look at other photos, you'll see that Motobecane did use the flat topped version of the number. Gbalke 09-02-13 01:10 PM. I have a 1978 Motobecane Mirage, been in the family since new. It is all original except the tires / tubes. I have attached pictures. Serial number appears to be 4181278.

There is another stamped number, looks like 018. There is another number below the serial number that cannot be read in the photo. It is 156216. On the rear wheel axle piece there is a number looks to be LC7. This is a 23 inch frame bicycle. My sister has two Motobecane bicycles at her house.

One is a Mixte from about the same era. I will get those numbers the next time I am there. Looks like the serial numbers are 7 digits in sequence. The 1978 era ones seem to begin with a 4 (million?). Kroozer 08-24-14 07:44 PM.

Thanks for taking this on, and perfect timing on my end. I came to the forums yesterday actually looking to find a way to date my garage sale pick up of a Moto Mirage. It was cheap and would have bought it anyway since it's the coolest color frame I've come across in a while. I've given it a quick once over and think it's actually going to stay with me now rather than sell. Like it a lot. I am guessing, just from quick reviews of 70's catalogues that this is around 74?

I don;t know, just a guess, based somewhat on the 1020 tubing specs. Seems all original except for the bars of course. Suntour GT RDR.

Maillard hubs, Nervar crank. If anyone has a better idea than my guess I'd love to hear it. Only id's I found were the '609' under the frame and the '2426850' and the 'A24' on the dropout. Hi, Love the colour of your bike, i'm a newbie here and i'm trying to get some idea of the model and year of my bike, mine has the following no's stamped on it;-Rear left outer dropout Huret 3556454 Rear left inner dropout 93516 BB has the same no as yours '609' Seatpost tube id is 26.6mm Weight of bare frame is 2kg Any thoughts on the ID? Got lots of work to do on researching the original spec, i would like to get the bike somewhere near it and then have some fun on it.

Cheers Derrick serta1 04-11-15 05:53 PM. As mentioned previously, I was to pick up Motobecane's from my sisters. I picked up one. It is a 1977 Mirage, 21 inch frame, silver in color. This is the first year for the Mirage model (Super Mirage was in 1976).

This is the last year for the 1020 tubing for the Mirage. It still has the original tires on it, Michelin Gum Wall, 28-630, 70 PSI tires. Of course they are totally dry rotted. The SN is 3805781. So the 4 million number was crossed somewhere between the end of 1977 and early 1978. Serta1 06-30-15 05:29 PM. Hi, Love the colour of your bike, i'm a newbie here and i'm trying to get some idea of the model and year of my bike, mine has the following no's stamped on it;-Rear left outer dropout Huret 3556454 Rear left inner dropout 93516 BB has the same no as yours '609' Seatpost tube id is 26.6mm Weight of bare frame is 2kg Any thoughts on the ID?

Got lots of work to do on researching the original spec, i would like to get the bike somewhere near it and then have some fun on it. Cheers Derrick Based on the serial number I would guess a 1976.

There are Motobecane catalogues from the 1970s on the internet that describes the options that each model came with. Zola1 07-01-15 05:38 AM. 1976 Super Mirage. 602 (February of 1976?) From looking at other postings and my other 3 Motobecane bicycles from 1976 to 1978 that is my guess what the 602 means. 1976 and 1977 frames had similar stampings. According to the Motobecane catalogue, there was no Super Mirage in 1975 and the 1977 Super Mirage was 2040 tubing.

This is 1020 tubing which was the 1976 model. Plus the Silver Blue color of the 1976 model did not have the black stripings on the down tube. The 1977 model did. This is a 23 inch frame.

1985 Motobecane Jubilee Sport

Original tires are long gone. Missing wheel reflectors. Rear carrier has been added. Otherwise all is original. Motobecaneswede 09-18-15 03:36 PM.

Motobecane Grand Record, 2nd from the top of the line. The main triangle is very desirable Reynolds 531 double butted tubing and it should have Campagnolo dropouts. Decals and head badge suggest pre-1974 while the combination of Weinmann brakes and Reynolds 531 forks suggest post 1970. So, it would appear to be circa 1971-1973. Motobecane appears to have used a sequential serial number format, with no year indicator, however based on the samples in my database we still be able to narrow it down.

The rear derailleur should also have a patent date adjacent to the cable housing recess, which should be close to the build date. This model was marketed as a upscale touring model but that was mainly due to the presence of clincher wheelset as opposed to tubulars.

However those look like they may be tubular wheels, which would at least explain the atypical Campagnolo Tipo hubset. It's a nice model on the cusp between mid-range and high end and appears to be in good shape for it's age. The problem is that it also brings the idosyncrasies associated with French bicycles of the era. Stems and posts are slightly undersize compared to most lighweights. Most threading will be French.

French sized/threaded replacement parts can harder to find and more expensive. The Stronglight crankset has a proprietary extractor threading and requires the proper remover. Aftermarket ones are still available but quite expensive. Still, this is a very desirable model and, for most owners, warrants the extra effort associate with the French heritage. Congratulations, it's a nice acquisition.

Those bikes are still popular, especially for building up rando bikes. It's a great find and will make a sweet ride. Panaracer Paselas are very good 27' clinchers, available in 1', 1-1/8' or 1-1/4'.

1982 Motobecane Catalog

Probably all you need to do is service the bearings and replace the tires. Yes, the crank threads are 23.35mm and people offering crank puller tools on ebay want about $100 for them (a couple are currently listed). Otherwise, I don't see you need much for parts. Between this forum and CR, you might be able to find someone who will let you borrow one with a deposit. Sheldon has the details on French threading You can really improve those brakes by replacing the pads with Kool Stop Dura cartridges (based on my 40 years of high-load Weinmann use). Except that those may not be clinchers on the bicycle.

It appears that a previous owner may have converted from the OEM clinchers, as those look like Clement tubular tires on Fiamme red label tubular rims. (Hence, the Campagnolo Tipo hubs versus the typical Normandy). Plus, the brake pads appear to be sitting lower than normal in the mounting slots, which would be indicative of the 4mm smaller bead seat radius of tubulars versus 27'clinchers. So, the owner may also have the decision of whether he wants the immediate expense of converting to an OEM clincher style wheelset or put up with the long term expense and relative fragility of tubulars.

Given that THE owner is a Schwinn person, he may find the tubular experience to be frustrating, unless he's familiar with Paramounts. As for Stronglight crank pullers, there is a far cheaper, though still expensive option. Stein manufactures Stronglight and TA pullers. You can purchase them through several mail order shops, such as Velo-Orange, for about $55.00 US. However, the ride quality of good tubulars for many of us make up for the trouble of learning to glue them. (still nice to have a clincher wheelset sitting around to swap) There is also an easy flat kit that will get you home from a flat - a 2-oz bottle of Stan's plus 1/4-oz bottle of Zap-a-gap, and a valve core tool note that also requires removable valve cores, which are typical of higher-grade tires the good news is it's not difficult to find a reasonably priced clincher wheelset with 120mm rear axle spacing, which will take a comparable freewheel. Most new pre-built clincher wheelsets with that rear axle spacing and taking a 5-speed freewheel are going to be 27 inch (which would get you back to Panaracer tires).

Most trouble and expense with best result would probably be building up a 700c clincher wheelset, because of the big range of modern tires available.