1925 Motobecane MB1 pedal start motorcycle project (on a budget)

Status
Not open for further replies.

Loose Nut

Member
Local time
3:57 PM
Joined
May 28, 2010
Messages
42
The 1st picture is what a restored one of these looks like. As I noted in another post, I had wanted one of these for a while and made similar looking thing out of bike and moped parts. I am living in Holland right now and saw a classified ad for a Motobecane frame for 100 euros (135$) Motobecane mostly built nice bicycles and mopeds, but they did used to make motorcycles. I was shocked when I saw the picture (2nd picture) A powder coated frame, forks, 2 gas tanks, and handle bars. These bike were a sales success in Europe in the '20s, but out of date when it was built: Motobecane used belt-rim drive until 1925, Harley and Indian stopped doing so more than 10 years before. The front suspension was also out of date. The result for me is that when done, the bike will look even older than it is, basically like a 100 year old motorcycle. I think I can finish the whole project for under $2,000. What would it cost to own a 1st generation motorcycle in the States? likely more than $2,000. I am trying to use period parts, but not original to that make and model. This will keep me on budget, increase parts availability, and make a faster bike. An MB1 came with a 175cc 2 stroke. I bought a 260cc 2 stroke from a 1920's Favor (another French brand) it needed a new bearing. I have a brass Villiers carb, and an old Bing carb, I'm not sure which to use. And an old Ruthardt magneto. In Holland there are a lot of cargo bicycle type machines, and some use very heavy duty 26" wheels. I got some of those rims, 2 inches wide, and 10 gauge spokes. I got one NOS 26x2.25 motorcycle tire, and am looking for another. I widened a pedal crank from a Mobyette. I just got 2 old Motobecane leather saddles this week and a belt rim pulley. No pics of those yet. The main missing part is an exhaust. The Favor engine uses dual 38mm pipes. I would like to use my lathe to scale-up a Mobylette clutch/starter clutch set up, but I may just use a simple drive pulley until I get that done. It's slow finding metal for machining in Holland. I'm also working on another pedal start Motobecane: a 1936 b1v2.
 

Attachments

  • Someone elses restored mb1.jpg
    Someone elses restored mb1.jpg
    65.8 KB · Views: 3,329
  • 1925 motobecane.JPG
    1925 motobecane.JPG
    60.1 KB · Views: 2,580
  • CAM00398.jpg
    CAM00398.jpg
    47.8 KB · Views: 2,531
  • motor2.jpg
    motor2.jpg
    65.1 KB · Views: 2,394
  • Motor next to av7.jpg
    Motor next to av7.jpg
    55 KB · Views: 2,384
  • motor3.jpg
    motor3.jpg
    37.2 KB · Views: 2,258
  • early and late mb1 tanks.jpg
    early and late mb1 tanks.jpg
    53.3 KB · Views: 2,246
  • DSC01470.jpg
    DSC01470.jpg
    24 KB · Views: 2,191
  • CAM00401.jpg
    CAM00401.jpg
    61.3 KB · Views: 2,200
  • $_12.JPG
    $_12.JPG
    28.2 KB · Views: 2,242
  • CAM00394.jpg
    CAM00394.jpg
    85 KB · Views: 2,466
Motobecane mb1

Hello Im restoring a mb1 similar to yours. Can you tell me the wheel rim and tyre size you have used, many thanks

Tony
 
Hello Tony, I am not using original rims/tires. They are too expensive. I am using 26 inch rims that came from either a light motorcycle, or heavy industrial bicycle. I laced them up with 10 gauge spokes. I have one 26x2.25 tire, and I am looking for another. 26x2 are more available. I do not want to use 26x2.125 bicycle tires, but they do fit. I would love to see pictures of your project.
 
Hello if you text me your email address I will send then to you rather than me trying to get them posted on the site.
07521161742

Tony
 
Hello again do you know if the rims you used are readily available and do the have a make or manufacturer stamped on them.

How do the wheels compare for size with the originals?

Thanks Tony
 
Tony, your bike looks very complete. Good score! I don't have original wheels tires to compared to, but I know a guy who does. They look to me like 26x2 tires on something very close to standard 26inch rims, about 1 3/4 wide. But, as I understand it, they are the old type of tires which are called different things in different countries: Heel Wheels or Beaded edge wheels. The original tires are expensive, difficult to find, and have a safety concern: they fall off when the tire pressure gets too low. My Wheels are bit wider than stock and have no stamps. I used wheels like these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NSU-QUICK...56?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item1e879c60e0

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dunlop-21...pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item1e87b045e4

http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/fietsen...GgjZuRjEVXsAhxewdQ8pFnCO9L-6uniAnQ3vyQYFWPn78
 
Links to eBay may include affiliate code. If you click on an eBay link and make a purchase, this forum may earn a small commission.
Thanks for the reply, I will have a look and see what rims are available.

I also have a 1934 Monet Goyon similar to the Other Motobecane shown in your photos, do you have a decent saddle cover like the one on the bike that you would sell or swap?

Thanks Tony
 
I'm afraid I don't have such a cover. You know this site? http://www.leboncoin.fr/ It is the best source for antique French Motorcycle parts. You will likely end up learning French in the process. What part of the world are you in?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top