Strangely enough, the Nitto Pearl was the original stem on at least some Grand Records in '76. I worked in a shop that sold quite a few of them, and bought a '75 model myself that came with a Pearl - I think (don't remember for sure). That and the Universal 61s were probably the only non-French parts on it. The Pearl is a very high quality item, as good as the best 3T and Cinelli bits (probably better), but I wouldn't blame you if you wanted something French there.
I rode my GR across Canada in '76, and some other fairly epic tours as well, also raced on it. I thought it was pretty excellent at both, but I didn't have a lot to compare it with in either discipline. I mean, lots of brief test-rides on lots of great bikes, in my bike shop job, including Masi Milano, Ron Cooper, Exxon Graftek, Teledyne Titan, Strawberry and Tanguy - but I didn't own any other great bikes, didn't actually race or tour on them. When I built my first custom frame, the GR had to go to help pay for parts - wish I still had it.
Mark Bulgier Seattle WA USA
john wirt writ:
> I just bought a 76 Motobecane Grand Record here in town,
> hoping I didn't pay too huch ; ) It appears to be original
> exept for the stem, bars and levers.
> It is Reynolds 531, fancy Nervex lugs, Campy dropouts, Record
> DR's and levers, TA professional cranks and BB, Stronglight
> Competition headset, Atom 700 pedals, Normandy High flange
> hubs, Huret cluster, Brooks Professional saddle, Weinnmann
> 610 brakes. The stem is currently a Nitto Pearl, bars unknown
> and the brake levers very old Shimano.
> I just had a complete overhaul done to it, but have alost no
> seat time in it, maybe later today I'll go for a ride.
> What should the bars, stem and levers be? Would it have more
> value if they were correct for the bike?
> I'm still not sure I plan to keep it, it doesn't "grab" me
> like my Bertin, or even my Peugeot PVS-10.
> The fun thing is, the shop it was originally purchased from
> was just a few blocks away from my house (the shop no longer exists).
> What can anyone tell me about the Moto GR's? Should I just
> accept it and become a collector of French bikes...??