1974-1981 Motobecane (USA models)
Info Motobecane 1976
Info Motobecane 1978-79
Info Motobecane 1980
1980 Motobecane Brochure
USA Consumer Info
74-6 Motobecane 40TS
1 speed Dimoby trans.
hard tail, 2.00×17 tires
no speedo, no fork lock
narrow painted fenders
US model round HL
’74-75 only yellow
1974-76 Motobecane 40TL
one speed Dimoby trans.
hard tail, 2.00×17 tires
with speedo, fork lock
narrow stainless fenders
US model round headlight
’74-75 only yellow
1975-76 Motobcane 40TL
one speed Dimoby trans.
hard tail, 2.00×17 tires
with speedo, fork lock
narrow stainless fenders
Euro model square HL
colors: orange or yellow
Motobécane
Mobylette 40TL
one speed Dimoby trans.
hard tail, 2.00×17 tires
speedo, lock, ss fenders
Euro model small HL
colors: coral or white
1974-75 Motobecane 50S
rear shocks, 2.25×17 tires
with speedo, solo seat
painted yellow fenders
US model round headlight
’74-75 yellow only
1974-75 Motobecane 50VL
2-speed variator trans.
rear shocks, 2.25×17 tires
solo seat, US model
74-5 yellow 76-7 orange
1976-77 Motobecane 50L
one speed Dimoby trans.
rear shocks, 2.25×17 tires
solo seat,ss,sp,US model
74-5 yellow 76-7 orange
‘76-77 Motobecane 50VL
Variator (2-speed) trans.
rear shocks, 2.25×17 tires
solo seat, SS F fender
US model round headlight
Motobécane
Mobylette Series 50
Dimoby or variator trans
rear shocks, 2.25×17 tires
speedo, lock, solo seat
Euro models square HL
1976-77 Motobecane 50L
one speed Dimoby trans.
rear shocks, 2.25×17 tires
6V lites, speedo, lock
solo seat, chrome rack
SS F fender, US model
colors: orange or yellow
’76-77 Motobecane 50VL
Variator (2-speed) trans.
6V lites, 2.25×17 tires
solo seat, SS F, US model
colors: orange or yellow
’78-79 Motobecane 50VL
variable (2-speed) trans.
12V lites, 2.25×17 tires
solo seat, SS F, US model
candy red, blue silver
‘78-79 Motobecane 50VLC
variable (2-speed) trans.
12V lites, 2.25×17 tires
solo seat, SS F, US model
candy red, blu-sil, copper
1978-79 Motobecane 7
1 speed Dimoby trans.
hard tail, 2.00×16 tires
12V lites, rear gas tank
solo seat, US model
78-79 Motobec. 50VLA
Variator (2-spd) trans.
12V lites, 2.25×17 tires
long seat, SS F, US model, alum wheels
78-79 Motobec. 50VLX
Variator (2-spd) trans.
12V lites, 2.50×17 tires
solo seat, US model
off road fun model
1978 Motobecane 50VLX restored by Bill Small
1979 Motobecane Moby
Variator (2-spd) trans.
12V lites, 2.25×17 tires
solo seat, US model
restored by B. Small
’80 Motobec. Traveler
1 speed Dimoby trans.
rear shocks, 2×17 tires
with speedo, solo seat
US model round HL
colors: yellow or silver
’80 Motobecane Traveler
restored in 2020-21
by Charles Walker
1980 Motobecane Moby
Variator (2-spd) trans.
12V lites, 2.25×17 tires
long seat, US model
met red, blu-sil, copper
80 Motobec. Le Moped
Variator (2-spd) trans.
12V lites, 2.25×17 tires
lift-up seat, US model
gold aluminum wheels
’80 Motobecane Traveler
’80 Motobecane Traveler
1980 Motobecane Moby
1980 Motobecane Moby
1980 Motobecane Moby
’80 Motobecane Le Moped
’80 Motobecane Sebring
1980 Motobecane Solex
ID has 4 stamps:
12__79__50V__B
(Dec ’79 25mph)
1980 Family Photo: Above are all of the 1980 Motobecane USA models and colors, from the sales brochure. The Sebring is made in Italy and is covered in a separate section, under Italy-made/MB Sebring. The Solex is made in France but covered in a separate section, under France-made/Solex.
Center Stands: Notice how the center stands on the Moby and Traveler are more vertical than most Motobecane center stands. That is because these photos are of brand new bikes. The center stands become angled more forward with age or heavy use.
Speed Version is on ID plate: On the frame behind the headlight is the ID plate. The lower squares say model (left) and speed version (right), stamped in. Before 1980, A=30, B=25, C=20. From 1980 on, A=20, B=25, C=30. Before 1978, no letter, just 20, 25, or 30 (mph). Hope yours is a 30! 1980 was the last year for US models. 1981 had new 17 digit VIN and new EPA and DOT noise and safety regulations. That was “the last straw”.
Pulley clutch types:
left, variator
right, non-variator
Pulley-Clutch Versions: There are two types of pulley-clutches, variator and non-variator (Dimoby). They look almost the same. The crankshaft is the same for both. The variator type pulley clutch sticks out 5/8 inch more than the non-variator type. The variator type front pulley changes size, from 10 to 20 mph, as the bike speed increases. So it is like a two-speed, with a low gear and a high gear. The non-variator front pulley does not change size, but is solid and fixed. So it’s like a one-speed.