Thanks Chas, I do own a set of tubular wheels with NOS arc en ciel mated to NR low flange hubs with Vittoria tires. The spokes are modern DT, but otherwise they look vintage.
Having said that, I know the provenance of this bike. I am the 3rd owner. My best friend bought it from the original owner who never rode it and would never bother to fool with tubulars. Because the rims and spokes are French, I tend to think that they could be the original wheels. I'll call my friend to see whether he ever rebuilt the wheels or whether it came with clincher wheels when he bought the bike. I think it's at least possible.
Kindly,
Keith Kessel Shreveport La. (the pelican state)
On Thu, January 21, 2010 2:43 am, verktyg wrote:
> Keith,
>
>
> Hate to be the bearer of bad news but Motobecane Le Champions came with
> tubular tires at least up through 1976. There are a number of internet
> sites with copies of the 1974 Motobecane catalog.
>
> velobase.com has an extensive list of old Moto catalogs.
>
> The 1974 spec sheet lists Clement Paris Roubaix tubular tires with Super
> Champion rims. Bikes from that era came with whatever rims and tires the
> bike manufacturers could get hold of or had in inventory at the time of
> assembly.
>
> For example the specs for a 1971 LC were Vittoria Mondiale tubulars on
> AVA rims laced 3x to Campy Nuovo Tipo large/high flange hubs. The
> 1972/73 LCs where listed with Mavic Monthery rims and Clement Elvisia
> (TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE) tires. The 1975 and 76 LCs were spec'd with Super
> Champion rims and Gran-Turismo tires whatever they were.
>
>
> In those days, bikes were like a box of chocolates. You never knew what
> you were getting until you opened the box! ;-)
>
> The Rigida 13-19 rims probably first became available in the US around
> 1976 in response to Mavic Module-E rims. Both rims were developed for
> use with Michelin Elan high pressure clincher tires.
>
> During the early 70s the Le Champion was Motobecane's top of the line
> standard model bike. In 1974 they introduced the orange Team Champion model
> also called the Champion Team.
>
> These orange bikes were in celebration of Luis Ocaña's 1973 TdF win and
> were always scarce items. His bikes were reputed to have been rebadged
> Italian frames.
>
>
> I suspect that the 1974-76 Le Champion frames were the same as the Team
> Champion or Champion Team frames except for the finish and some minor
> details.
>
> I have a number of Moto LCs that I've come across in my elusive search
> for an orange 1974-76 Team Champion.
>
> I've seen comments to the effect that these frames were touched by
> "other hands" which I interpreted to mean that they may have been built
> by a constructeur or custom frame shop.
>
> Hope that helps. Send pictures when you get it finished.
>
>
> Chas. Colerich
> Oakland, CA USA