If that really is a LeChampion, I'd doubt very much if it's 501. Sometimes the "3" on some versions of the 531 decal can look like "0" if the decals are faded or damaged. The LeChampion was second only to the Team Champion ridden by sponsored teams. That said, Motobecane did some strange things in the 80's just before the bankruptcy. Even earlier, they did some strange things. I have a circa 1977 LeChampion (it was at Cirque) with the red/black/gold paint scheme usually reserved for the Grand Record. Even odder, it has a brake reach so long, even Mafac Competitions wouldn't reach (the CLB2's barely did). Very strange on a racing model which often came with Campy SP. So I guess I couldn't totally rule out anything from Motobecane, though the 501 seems unlikely.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
THOMAS ADAMS wrote:
> I'm looking at a Le Champion Motobecane on eBay,
> http://ebay.com/
>
> The seller lists the tubing as Reynolds 501. I've queried him about the exact tubing type, and his reply is below. I always thought the Le Champion was one of the higher end Motobecanes, and was made from a full set of 531 double butted. According to the CR site, the letters he deciphered are consistent with the french full set 531 decals. I also thought 501 wasn't introduced until the 80's.
>
> Can I assume the seller is mistaken about the tubing type? Any other thoughts on the Le Champion?
>
> Thanks
>
> Tom Adams, Kansas City
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jeff Sussmann
> Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2001 12:02 AM
> To: kctommy@msn.com
> Subject: Re: Question for seller -- Item #1160543965
>
> The tubing decals are badly worn. There is a triangulr one on the front fork
> which has the 501 logo and beneath it "fo-p-eaux" (- = obscured letter). The
> other decal is beneath the seat and reads "garanti construit avec" then the
> 501 logo and then bits and pieces of words " --orces" and "--urche" are all
> that I can make out. Pictures will follow as soon as I can. Hope this
> helps. Jeff
>
> ----------
> >From: kctommy@msn.com
> >To: jsussmann@earthlink.net
> >Subject: Question for seller -- Item #1160543965
> >Date: Thu, Jun 28, 2001, 4:34 AM
> >
>
> > Hi
> >
> > I saw your sale of the Motobecane, and I may be interested. Could you
> > please copy the exact wording of the Reynolds tubing sticker and send it to
> > me? There were dozens of varieties of tubesets made by Reynolds so it
> > would help to know exactly which one was used on this bike. 501 was very
> > good tubing, assuming the entire bike was made with it.
> >
> > Could you also attach a copy of the picture, so I can zoom in a bit and see
> > some more detail? If you have any other pictures, I'd deeply appreciate a
> > copy of them, also.
> >
> > Sorry to bother you, and thanks for your time.
> >
> > KCTOMMY
> > --------------------
> >
> >
> > Question from: kctommy
> > Title of item: Motobecane Le Champion NR
> > Seller: sussit
> > Starts: Jun-27-01 10:49:36 PDT
> > Ends: Jul-04-01 10:49:36 PDT
> > Price: Starts at $35.00
> > To view the item, go to:
> > http://ebay.com/
> >
> >
> >
> > Visit eBay, the world's largest Personal Trading Community at
> http://ebay.com/