Restored '81 Motobecane Prestige Commuter Tourer with generator lights

1981 Motobecane Prestige Restored original generator and lights.

 This is a rare '81 Motobecane Prestige 58cm steel lugged frame with Sachs Huret rear derailleurs, shifters and adjustable rear droppouts.  Original working generator with frame specific mounting bracket and spoke lock.  Chrome fenders and chrome rear rack complement the commuter friendly 700c ride.  The practicality of this bike for commuting combined with the retro vintage style had made this a fun and worthwhile project to complete.  The roller generator is not at all like the after market versions we see today.  An integrated mounting plate is actually a part of the seat stay next to the keyed spoke lock, the lights work at a very low speed and is very quiet.  Schwalbe Marathon 700x32 tires work very will with the generator as the tires side walls are very durable.

Replaced the original cottered crankset and bottom bracket with a chrome steel double chainring crankset with integrated chain guard and sealed cartridge bottom bracket.   Built with convenience of commuter riding without necessity of stuffing a pant leg into a sock.  Modern upgrades provide a more service friendly component group for other shops who may service this bike in the future.

Under Frame braze ons for the generator wire routing to front and rear lights is such a unique, practical and thoughtful touch on the part of building a commuter bicycle.  This was another one of those projects that was tough to complete as a previous owner of the bike had over tightened the original quill stem bolt so much that the round wedge nut had expanded and cracked the outside of inner quill stem tube.  Necessity of delicate torching so as not to bubble the paint at the head tube and once the fork was free heating the steer tube and using vice grips to remove the broken stem.
Proved to be worthwhile effort as the UNO stem used to replace the original stem provides a much more comfortable riding position for commuting or touring.  Visit Bike Tourings for more info.
Cheers!