Howard H’s 1984 Motobecane Grand Jubilee

Here is Howard H’s (By way of DocSprocket) 1984 Motobecane Grand Jubilee. There’s been lively discussion about these French bikes in the comment section, so I figured I’d go ahead and pile on.

From the office of doctor sprocket here we have Howard H’s 1984 Grand Jubilee all original 10 speed, with camp dt shifters grand comp brakes & calipers, campi cranks & suntour cyclone derailleurs a sugino sp. Howard has reached that 50 + point & needed a few more gears to make life easyer & a more comfortable ride,so in the retro/struction phase we have switched to a sugino triple crank set with a new 7 speed cassette a newer set of ultegra shifters with a dt adaptor for the new shifters & modern bar & 105 derailleur set. The quill adaptor accompanied by a Ritchy stem. We kept the original rims & changed the rear axel to a 137mm to accommodate the new cassette & re dished the wheel. Cleaned & polished the brake calipers kept the sugino head set. Tuched up the frame & polished her up, repainted the top tube name plate to tie in with the new rip/cord cable set, along with a new set of shimano pedals.

BeaterRezQ

I might not be the sharpest tooth on the chainring, but I swear I’ve seen that bike before…?
Doc, I love the way that you modernized a classic–while making it more accommodating for it’s rider.
That rig reeks classy, nicely done!
BRQ
- BeaterRezQ
  
  Wow, I have no life…I’m now replying to myself.
  
  Shorty chrome fenders would look so classy on that French beauty.
  Not to distract from it but to go alongside in perfect harmony with the chromed forks.
  I’m just saying……
  BRQ
  - BeaterRezQ
    
    e.g.
    - BeaterRezQ
      
      ….talk about a “dinosaur” of sorts, these bikes have nearly become extinct like disco, the boom box and .99 cent gas:
      The American made bike 🙁
    - David Emery
      
      I’ve always wondered about these ‘shorty’ fenders, do they actually do any good? Seems like they’d keep the water off your bum and face, but that’s about it.
      - BeaterRezQ
        
        David,
        Frankly dude, I don’t really know…it hardly ever rains here in the desert, even more so this year.
        I use them more for eye candy/dressing if you will, not to mention the LBS was selling them for like a dollar each to get rid of them. I’m sure that they have limited use–but maybe not in Seattle?
        BRQ
Docsprocket

I THOUGHT A SET OF THE POLISHED ALUMINUM FENDERS WOUL LOOK GOOD AS WELL. TALKED WITH HOWARD JUST LAST NIGHT REG HIS BABY. CANT WAIT FOR THE BOTCHIA TO HIT THE SHOP FOR A SLIGHT REMODEL. THANKS BEATER
Ryan Surface

Motobecane Grand Jubilee ah L’amour! Great work by the Doctor of Sprockets. I wondered about the Red Motobecane decal before- makes perfect sense to paint to match the cool cables. French, Superior tubing, styling, retrofitted to work for the rider…whats not to love?
Trailer Park Cyclist

The Doctor is definitely in the House. I thought I was the only guy on the planet with red cables but after this week, apparently not. I feel more secure knowing that.

Doc, I am curious about what the original rims were (and the rationale for keeping vintage rims with a retro/structed bike and also can I use “retro/struction” or do you have a copyright?

And finally, Doc: Good Art.
- Docsprocket
  
  I KEPT THE RIMS BECAUSE THEY WERE IN GREAT CONDITION & TO KEEP SOME ORIGINALITY WITH THIS BEAUTY.
  JUST REPACKED THE BEARING, SET AXEL TENSIONS & TRUED THE RIMS. AS FOR ” RETRO/STRUCTION” MY BUDDIE HELPED ME COME UP WTH THAT ONE USE IT FREELY, SHARE IT, SPREAD IT AROUND, SHAE THE WEALTH I ALWAYS SAY .GOING INTO ALMOT 10 YEARS NOW WITH THAT TERM & 30 YEARS TURNING THE WRENCH.
  RAT RODING IS WHAT STARTED IT ALL SEE ATTACHED PHOTO OF MY FIRST HAND MEDOWN & MODIFIED BIKE
  - BeaterRezQ
    
    Doc,
    I really love those pedals on that old schooler, and the shifter–awesome.
    Hand-me-downs are one of my favorite kind of bikes, especially the vintage and unique kind…..throw in for free; a winning combination.
    I’ve been fooling around with this old Schwinn as time and funds permit and have been contemplating putting a stik shifter on it mounted on the top tube similar to your AMF SKYRIDER, think it would fly?
    I’ve located said Schwinn shifter, locally..still trying to locate funding though. (lol, maybe I’ll sell a bike…I have a few)
    BRQ
    - Docsprocket
      
      just looked at the picks of the schwinn prime candidate 4
      top tube shifter. i have found then on ebay with ease.
      just picked up 2 sets of suntour barcons bar end shifters.
      last week refurbished 1 set already & looking for 1 missing piece for the other paid $22.50 with shipping
      - BeaterRezQ
        
        I found one locally at a former Schwinn dealer NOS, any idea what a fair price would be?
        I don’t do much on ebay, but maybe I should start–
        love to have those Suntour shifters.
        Thanks!
      - Docsprocket
        
        i have found them from $25 to $115 depending on year make & condition
      - BeaterRezQ
        
        $115, OUCH!
        Ty!
      - BeaterRezQ
        
        Heck, for $115 I could have frame powdercoated purple and have the words in white cursive “Schwinning!” written on the chainguard.
        lol, decisions decisions…funding funding.
        BRQ
      - Docsprocket
        
        i hear ya luckally i have a place close by called the recyclery used parts galore & some new donated by local shops i also frequent the local salvation army for bike stuffpaid $15 for a set of cannondale rear panniers in near mint condition
      - BeaterRezQ
        
        nice!
- BeaterRezQ
  
  TPC,
  If it’s any consolation brother, I’ve been known to use hot pink…..
  Black and white, shades of gray seem so boring—
Thielen

That’s one beautiful machine! Thanks for sharing it.

Old Ten Speed Gallery

I've long suspected that New York City's seemingly endless supply of overpriced "vintage" bicycles comes from vast crappy bike reserves in the Midwest... BikeSnobNYC

Howard H’s 1984 Motobecane Grand Jubilee