SWB0 Grand Jubile the French Connection

[Pondo]

My Motobecane project is ready to go so I'm going to get on it. This is an early 80s Motobecane Grand Jubile I picked up for $50 a few months ago. It's an old touring bike in great shape. I purchased it from the original owner who is unfortunately no longer able to ride. I really like the lugged frame and fork and the original paint and decals.

The frame is too big for me and I feel really stretched out while riding it so I'm going to switch to an upright 'alt' style bar and also a shorter stem if necessary. I was looking at how Rivendell likes to set up some of their bars for inspiration.

I'll retain the Suntour bar end shifters

I recently came across a great deal on a 40s or 50s Motobecane saddle in nearly new condition. It's a really nice leather spring saddle similar to a Brooks B72.

That locked it in for me, this bike is getting a makeover. New cables, lube, check everything over. I'll also be replacing the dry rotted tires and the brake pads. I want this to be something I can cruise the paved roads, and some dirt, around here for an hour or so at a time and be comfortable.

It's geared too high for these hills so I've been looking at options. I want to keep the beautiful Shimano 600 Arabesque cranks and the smallest chainring I can get to work with them (130 BCD?) is a 38 tooth. It will have to do.

The 6 speed freewheel has a 34t big cog and I think that should do fine. It came with a vintage Deore mtb derailleur which works well. Since most of the components are Shimano 600 I wanted to match the derailleur better so I got a 70s vintage Shimano 600.

This will be a fun project. As time goes on I may add some racks for longer rides.

 

[Bike from the Dead]

That Motobecane's definitely got a cool look with the original paint and graphics. I think that saddle and some upright handlebars will look perfect on there! That's going to be one classy-looking rig when it's all done.

 

[Pondo]

I got started on disassembly today. It will be getting all new cables, these are really gummed up. The chain isn’t stretched out of spec but it’s a little loose laterally so I’m going to replace it.

This bike has some interesting parts I haven’t dealt with before. I could use some help figuring out how to disassemble some of it. The brake levers are Suntour Superbe and I haven’t a clue how to get them off. There’s a little nut in there that might do something, I just don’t know.

And there’s this cap on the crank arm. I think it may be a self removing type but I’d like to know for sure before I exert too much force on it.

The top nut on the headset has an interesting shape. Do I need a special wrench for it? It’s a Shimano 600.

And I’ve never come across this seatpost clamp style. It looks like you just loosen the two nuts on the inside. Then hopefully it comes apart?

Thanks for any insights here. It was a fun afternoon messing with this bike. I think it’s going to be a really cool ride.

 

[Bike from the Dead]

I don't know about most of that, but on the brake levers, from what I can see, either loosening the nut or what appears to be a flathead screw should loosen up the brake levers, and they'll slide right off the handlebars. As for the rest, I've never seen anything like that before!

 

[ingola]

I got started on disassembly today. It will be getting all new cables, these are really gummed up. The chain isn’t stretched out of spec but it’s a little loose laterally so I’m going to replace it.
View attachment 285788

This bike has some interesting parts I haven’t dealt with before. I could use some help figuring out how to disassemble some of it. The brake levers are Suntour Superbe and I haven’t a clue how to get them off. There’s a little nut in there that might do something, I just don’t know.
View attachment 285789View attachment 285790

And there’s this cap on the crank arm. I think it may be a self removing type but I’d like to know for sure before I exert too much force on it.
View attachment 285791

The top nut on the headset has an interesting shape. Do I need a special wrench for it? It’s a Shimano 600.
View attachment 285792

And I’ve never come across this seatpost clamp style. It looks like you just loosen the two nuts on the inside. Then hopefully it comes apart?
View attachment 285793

Thanks for any insights here. It was a fun afternoon messing with this bike. I think it’s going to be a really cool ride.

Loosen that bolt and they'll come off.im pretty sure that is the self extraction type,I wrap it in a crag and use plumber wrench

 

[Pondo]

Loosen that bolt and they'll come off.im pretty sure that is the self extraction type,I wrap it in a crag and use plumber wrench

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

 

[Pondo]

I found that these vintage Shimano 600 and Dura Ace headsets with the flare nuts do need some special wrenches. But they're not cheap.

There are some much cheaper copies

But with tax and shipping that's going to come close to $50, which is what I paid for the bike. I think I'll improvise and just try not to mar the nice headset.

 

[Pondo]

I finished disassembly today. Things were pretty cruddy and the grease definitely had water in it, so it had been stored outside at some point. The seat clamp came apart the way I thought it would, but it was sticky with age and corrosion. The headset nuts also fit a standard 32mm wrench, so I don’t need to purchase those special flare wrenches. The drive side bottom bracket cup is stuck but it can stay put if necessary. I can still service the bearings. I also tried the new handlebar and I think it’s going to work well.

 

[Pondo]

I don't know about most of that, but on the brake levers, from what I can see, either loosening the nut or what appears to be a flathead screw should loosen up the brake levers, and they'll slide right off the handlebars. As for the rest, I've never seen anything like that before!

The little nut did the trick. I'll have to figure out what the little screw is for at some point.

 

[ingola]

I never buy tools I may need once I do the same you did improvise or just go to the bike shop. Some good stuff on that bike.