That’s very pretty, Chris. Congratulations on getting one at last.
Chris
> On 27 Oct 16, at 16:38, Jim Nichols <jhnichols@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Congratulations! A lot of work, but you do end up with a showpiece. It has
> a light, delicate look to it, but I suspect that the strength is in the
> materials.
>
> Jim Nichols
> Tullahoma, TN USA
>
> On 10/27/2016 10:30 AM, Chris Trask wrote:
>> I lived in France for a few years back in the early 60s, and I came
>> away with a passion for French bicycles. They were slim and light compared
>> to my American cast iron Huffy, which I got for Christmas in 1957 and last
>> rode in 1973.
>>
>> When I graduated from high school in 1969 I was focused on a number of
>> things, one of which was to own a French bike. That did not become a
>> reality until 1974 when I spent $375 for a Motobecane Grand Tour, which I
>> still have. That bike traveled everywhere with my, including three months
>> in Germany.
>>
>> The passion for French bikes grew after I retired, and in recent years
>> I've managed to acquire a number of French bikes, mostly Motobecane with a
>> few Peugeots, Gitanes, and a few other obscure brands such as Mercier,
>> Liberia, and Stella.
>>
>> Last week I came across my long-wanted high school graduation gift: A
>> 1969 Motobecane Mirage. A few scratches, as to be expected, but in overall
>> good condition. I spent days restoring it, cleaning off decades of dried
>> lubricant glaze with Liquid Wrench and a toothbrush and replacing non-OEM
>> parts. All that effort paid off, the result being:
>>
>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/29968305734/in/dateposted-public/
>>
>> The Randonneur bend handlebar is an earmark for the Mirage model, used
>> right up to the end of production in 1984:
>>
>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/29966514533/in/dateposted-public/
>>
>> The Mirage was not considered to be an exceptional bike, but back in
>> the Golden Era it was one of the best bike values you could find, roughly
>> equivalent to the more expensive Peugeot UO-8. The 1020 alloy frame made it
>> ride lighter than the 531 alloy that Peugeot used on the UO-8/10.
>>
>> There is still more work to be done, such as replacing the rusted steel
>> spokes on the front wheel and polishing the tarnished stainless steel spokes
>> on the rear wheel, which is labourious and takes 3-4 hours. Final touches
>> will be brown handlebar tape, brake lever hoods, and monogrammed handlebar
>> plugs, such as these:
>>
>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/15294647523/in/photolist-MEgmUw-pix4Rn-ee7ptG
>>
>> or these:
>>
>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/29969078414/in/dateposted-public/
>>
>>
>>
>> Chris
>>
>> When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro
>> - Hunter S. Thompson
>
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