David S’s 1980 Motobecane Mongoose Mangusta

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Finally Friday!
Welcome David S. and his 1980 Mangusta. Interesting name, and a more interesting heritage. You spend a sunny day on this baby and you’ll cook your underside as evenly as your topside.
Have a nice weekend. And if your in the greater Chicagoland on Sunday, be sure to mind your Manors on a Meadow Tour (Mayslake Peabody Estate – 1717 West 31st Street, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523)

Hello – David S. here, 
I live in Nashville, Tennessee, and I bought this bicycle new here in 1981 for $199., the dealer had it on the floor for over a year and could not sell it, so we negotiated a major discount and I took it home.  It had a set of tubular tire wheels which I still have but don’t use, I still ride it several times a year with the clincher rims on it as shown in the photo. It is super light at only 18lbs, (21 lbs with the clinchers), a tiny bit springy but lively and very comfortable. It’s a distance road bike or time trial bike really, not a sprinter.
It was made by Motobecane with lightweight Columbus tubing, and sold by Mongoose Bikes as the “Mangusta”. I have fiddled with the components over the years, but they are all correct for the period. Crankset & headset are Stronglight, brakes are Universal with factory drilled levers, gears are Huret Jubilee, pedals are Lyotard alloy, tires are Michelin, bars & stem are TTT Superleggero. Just won first place at a bike show for best road bike, see trophy in the pic. I think it was the factory drilled chainwheel that put me over the top. Next time I will show it with a factory drilled out saddle too. (no kidding, I just bought one at a swap meet!) Hope you enjoy the photo.

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  • BeaterRezQ

    David S., I had to clean the drool off of the keyboard–I was getting absolutely nowhere slipping with every keystroke!
    That there Mongoose/Motobecane is simply awesome! I have never seen anything like that before, was it limited production, like one year? You would’ve easily had my vote if I was judging at the contest, old ten speed of the month??? Chromed frame alone is worth what the dealer was asking, and I would hand them my hard-earned in a heart beat without flinching. Thanks for submitting that nice, classy ride..you too, Cam. What a lovely way to start a weekend…..la,la,la,la-la.
    Sir B

  • Jim Bangs

    That is a show stopper right there with the polished up chrome. Beauty!

  • Docsprocket

    THIS BABY IS S I C K AS HATIES I KNEW BTR WOULD SALIVATE OVER THIS BEAUTY IT’S GOT MY VOTE FOR OTSM
    SEND MORE PHOTOS

    • BeaterRezQ

      lol, looks like Doc’s got him some really old new wheels!

  • Trailerparkcyclist

    It is one of the Great Truths: Steel Is Real and Chrome Trumps All.

  • http://www.facebook.com/keli.kuduk Keli Kuduk

    AMAZING! I really like how you coordinated the colors.

    This bike is a true Gem. I actually found one in San Jose, Ca about 2 months ago. In really good condition. Almost totally complete minus the front wheel, tires, breaks and saddle. But the entire gruppo is intact seeing the old campangolo components , the super thin , racer back seat stays, and the blinged out chrome made me want to show this bike off!!!
    …..I love it
    I COULDN’T believe they only made one year.

    I’m so glad people are bringing these bikes out of the woodworks.

    Surely a rare piece….but not so sought after.

    Cheers to your great restoration!

  • http://www.facebook.com/keli.kuduk Keli Kuduk

    Just wanted to show off my baby. New Continental, Gator Skin “hard shell” tires.

    The bike (as i said below) was fairly completely original. Minus the front wheel, which I replaced with a Velocity- Deep-V wheel for rigidity. Also missing were the Campagnolo “record” brake levers and the rear Weinneman 405 brake. I left the original rear Wobler rear wheel, not as practical but after I cleaned and repacked the rear hub…she was smooth sailing.

    I love this bike. It’s a total head turner.

    • DOC SPROCKET

      HEY KELI YOUR BIKE IS SWEET I LOVE CHROME MMY FIRST WAS ALL CHROME BMX
      IF YOU LOOK BELOW YOU WILL SEE MY BEFORE SHOT OF MY OLD SCHWINN
      NOW ATTACHED IS THE SAME AFTER REFURBISHMENT

      • http://www.facebook.com/keli.kuduk Keli Kuduk

        Hey Doc! Thanks for the props! I really like your schwinn restoration! I love the early fillet brazed frames. Beautiful craftsmanship. I also love that you left the patina on the chain guard. Reminds you that the bike has been there, and done that. Boys back in those days beat these bikes into the ground! It’s nice to see it brought back to life. Cheers!