You're right Eric, I just checked the Grand Record hanging in the garage, and it is half-chromed forks and painted stays. And I think you're right, the French pattern in the 70's was half-chromed forks and stays on top French-equiped pro models with all 531 DB, half-chromed forks only on models just one step down, usually 531DB mian tubes. No chrome either meant a lesser model or oddly, an all-Campy "Team Issue" model. Actually these often did have chromed dropouts, and my Motobecane Team Champion has a chromed fork crown (and Columbus tubing). Anyway, guess I was having a "senior moment".
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Houston, TX
<classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 8:22 AM Subject: [CR]Now Motobecane GR Chrome
> Dave,
>
> I know Jerry to be very knowledgable, especially about French bicycles but
> think that in his earlier post he may have (accidentally) switched the
> chrome stay/fork scheme in his reference to the Grand Record. My catalog
> along with the two I've owned and many that I've seen always had 1/2
chrome
> forks and no chrome on the rear stays. Not to say that the reverse never
> appeared, but I do not believe it was the norm and come to think of it,
I've
> never seen any on topic bike with chromed stays but no chrome on the fork
> (except just the chainstay) - certainly many the other way around though
> with chromed forks but no chrome on the rear stays.
>
> Eric "being presumptuous of Jerry, I know he'll correct me if I misspoke"
> Elman
> Somers, CT
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Dwhitney@sheridancorp.com>
> To: <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>; <CyclArtist@cox.net>;
> <krcomet3@sbcglobal.net>; <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 6:54 AM
> Subject: RE: [CR]Motobecane Dilemma
>
>
> > Jerry - My '74 (or '73?) Grand Record has half chrome forks and painted
> > stays. I believe it's original paint since it's so "seasoned". The
> fellow
> > who sold me the frame said he bought the bike new in 1974 in California,
> and
> > has been the sole owner and never had it painted. Hmmmm - I wonder if
our
> > French friends did things differently on individual frames?
> >
> > Dave Whitney