And 1976 was the year that Gitane introduced a Shimano 600 equipped model a t the upper end of their model line. Mitch Harris Little Rock Canyon, UT
On 4/16/06, Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> Well, I could be wrong, then, and John's bars and stem could be
> orignal. In the 70's, Japanese parts were gradually making inroads on ma
ny
> French bike, except the high-end Peugeots. I bought an early 70's Gitane
> Tour de France with a Sugino Mightly crank rather than the typical
> Stronglight 93. I also bought used in the late 90's, from a CR member, m
y
> 1972 Follis mod 172 with a Simplex Criterium RD, but a SunTour Seven FD.
I
> thought that the FD was surely nonoriginal, until I learned another CR
> member had a Follis 172 of very nearly the same date with an identical FD
.
>
> And I agree the Nitto Pearl is a superb stem, as good as any Cinelli or
> TTT.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jerry Moos
> Big Spring, TX
>
>
> Mark Bulgier <Mark@bulgier.net> wrote:
>
> 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...??