I have a an all original (except tires, toe straps and tape) black and red 1972 Le Champion like this frame.
I've been told that the black and red Le Champions were pretty rare and that Ben Lawee the US Motobecane importer/distributor at that time special ordered a batch of them in. The standard color was teal blue metallic with ivory white trim but there may have been some in yellow and black too.
Here's a list of the original 1971-72 Specs:
Frame Reynolds 531 Fork Reynolds 531 Lugs Prugnat long point Rims AVA tubular Hubs Campagnolo high flange Spokes stainless steel laced 3 cross Tires Vittoria Mondiale tubular Pedals Lyotard alloy quill Crank Stronglight 93 Chain Sedis Bottom Bracket Stronglight Front Derailleur Campagnolo Nuovo Record Rear Derailleur Campagnolo Nuovo Record Shifters Campagnolo Nuovo Record Handlebars 3ttt Stem 3ttt Record Headset Stronglight Competition V4 Brake set Universal Mod. 61 Brake levers Universal Saddle Brooks Professional Seat Post Alloy straight Colors Teal Blue w/ white accents
Of course these were built during the Bike Boom so a lot of items could have been substituted on any given bike. I have pictures of a black and red Le Champion from that era that has Nervex Professional lugs!
Thanks to Robert S. Broderick for posting a 1973 Bicycling Magazine review of the Motobecane Le Champion by Richard Jow.
http://www.velo-pages.com/
Note, the bike in this review is black and red and is supposed to be a 1973 model but that year, Le Champions were supposed to be solid silver color.
Chas. Colerich Oakland, CA USA
Rachael Ramos wrote:
> http://seattle.craigslist.org/
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> Components changed to Suntour
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> George Ramos
> Portland, OR
> USA