Yesterday was gorgeous day; today it is raining and thundering. After wrapping the Albatross bars on the Motobecane Super Mirage, I went for an early morning ride. The weather and the ride were perfect. However this makeover and ride would not have happened without the inspiration and knowledge I have received and continue to get from this group. Thank you.
The Motobecane Super Mirage circa 1976 belonged to my father-in-law. When it didn't sell at a yard sale, he gave it to me. I didn't like the way it rode with the original drop bars and saddle. It sat in my shed for a few years. After reading many of the posts on this group and seeing the photos, I was inspired to fix the bike up "Rivendell style" and get it back on the road. I overhauled the wheels, bottom bracket and pedal bearings, replaced all the cables and brake pads, installed new 27 x 1 1/4 tires, Brooks B68 saddle, and Rivendell cockpit (Nitto Albatross bars, Nitto Periscopa stem, Newbaum maroon colored bar tape (matches the head badge), Shimano MTB silver brake levers). I left the pletscher rack, Weinmann brakes, Suntour stem mounted shifters, Suntour V-GT rear derailer and kickstand. I also left on the county bike registration sticker that expired in 1978. The Newbaum bar tape feels great; I rode yesterday without gloves. Though, I usually ride with gloves to protect my hands in a fall, the bike lends itself to gloveless riding! I adore riding this bike as currently configured. I thank everyone for the inspiration and knowledge needed for me to do this. Though I do not imagine riding this bike in the rain, I will look into whether I can squeeze in fenders. I also want to fit a bottle cage or two for carrying water on longer rides. Also still on the list is finishing the bar tape with twine. Here are a few photos from yesterday. More photos here if interested: http://erlhouston.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Cyling/Motobecane-Super-Mirage/28440802_jtmxgv<https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SNO6w48PB-U/UWbhCSCHN0I/AAAAAAAAALs/wM1b6hs8xuQ/s1600/Motobecane%2B%25281%2Bof%2B4%2529.jpg><https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-P7MRBcqG55s/UWbhDJVDnlI/AAAAAAAAAL4/6JjTD8NMmvM/s1600/Motobecane%2B%25284%2Bof%2B4%2529.jpg> <https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tBGThhK0u_M/UWbhCg0oAmI/AAAAAAAAALw/J9q1ILjyVuo/s1600/Motobecane%2B%25283%2Bof%2B4%2529.jpg><https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GjN8SRXu7J4/UWbhCVfMkXI/AAAAAAAAALk/h1lh2jjixlM/s1600/Motobecane%2B%25282%2Bof%2B4%2529.jpg> Thanks for all the inspiration! Safe cycling. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en-US. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
