MBK Racing Trainer

Hello everyone, Long time lurker finally coming out of my shell. Just bought this of the Ebays and its going to be my first proper thought out build, built a couple standard other converisions etc. but nothing really special. I've always been a fan of MBK's I know they're not the 'best/popular/coolest/lightest/blahblahblah' but I've owned a few they have never done me wrong. It will be prob more trouble than its worth but Ive got my mind set out on this and I wont stop until its done.

Not sure what year exactly, hopefully Vince could help me out ;-) It states on the decals its, Crmo Inexternal Welding, HPFrame, Also Distributed by Moore Large & Co Uk for MBK Industries.

My plan is to strip the frame, most parts will be for sale so let me know if anything catches your eye. Next to debraze the frame as im gonna be riding fixed and I doubt I will ever sell the frame on. Anyone know any good ways to do this yourself let me know please, angle grinder I would presume, and some sanding down, I've got access to most tools.

Then get it re-painted a Purple/Claret Violet gloss finish Ral 4004 / 4007.

Maybe paint the original forks black or get some new chrome ones.

Going to get some new decals, this one for the headtube and the others for the rest of the frame. I know there will not be the from the original era and what not but I should be able to pull it off.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Autocollant-Sticker-MOTOBECANE-/00/$(KGrHqEOKkME1qKbRUyKBNoReErcjQ~~_1.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Motobecane-Mirage-decal-set-of-8-sku-364-/00/s/MjY1WDY1MA==/z/BqkAAMXQk-FRFJxk/$T2eC16d,!)QE9s3HF5!)BRFJ)jhR8!~~60_3.JPG

Here are a few links that I have been using for inspiration.

http://www.boutiquecycles.com/bikes/details/snowflaked_mbk/

http://fixieworkshop.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/mbk-mirage.html

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-1980s-MBK-Super-Record-Columbus-SL-steel-frameset-/350710368419?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item51a7f788a3&nma=true&si=Wobzu9HzHXZK%252BQsxMe2CPDHa2eA%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Not sure whether to go for the all black parts look, or chrome and black, depends on the colour of the frame when it get it done. Will fingure that out when I get to it.
Anyways, thanks for looking and any feedback would be much appreciated. Will keep you guys posted.

Peace

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Most of these had a 'standard' british threaded headset so you should be ok to replace it. My money is on BSA and not french.

The TPI should be stamped somewhere on the headset when you pull it apart.

BSA = 1" x 24 tpi (25.4 x 1.058 mm)
French = 25 mm x 1.0 mm

The crown race also differs if the forks are actually french (http://sheldonbrown.com/velos.html)

Here is a link to mine which is a Mirage Pro in Columbus Aelle (forks are still Cro-Mo):
http://www.lfgss.com/thread81615.html

Thanks for the info Vince, much appreciated.

Anyways, frame debrazed and back from armourtex. Painted Ral 4007 no laquer as its prob not worth the monies for this frame. Photos dont do the colour and workmanship justice but will try get some on a big boy slr sometime soon. Forks are in the process of being powedered black.

Ive got some grey archetypes on black miche high flange hubs with black spokes, being built but cant decide on tyres. Continetal Grand Prix Classic with the brown side wall or the blb's black mamba with gumwall? Could some of you share your opinions? Ive always used gators and havent had any punctures and would like to keep it that way... touch wood

Crankset and bb should be here soon, along with some other goodies.. Looking forward to the two bottle cage look ;-)

So far so good

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/attachments/68532 /attachments/68533 /attachments/68534

Afternoon,
Just spent a couple nights working on some head badge designs. Here are a few, the one named final is the one im going to go for, printed on chrome vinyl.

Also got a few decals put on.
Anyone that needs french decals type in 'brand name' autocollant on ebay.fr and theres loads. Only a small problem, if you dont speak francais, google translator will be your new best friend..

/attachments/68579

Got the stem and bars on, the crankset and some of my old wheels on to give a rough idea of clearances etc. frame really doesn't suit the whole deep v look at all. So Hopefully the archetypes will suit them better once built up.

Have a good weekend!

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I'm building one of these up at the moment. I can't bring myself to change the colour so I'm leaving it in the original purple with the graphics. It looks pretty beat up but I kinda like it like that.
Did you have any troubles with the chainline? I've fitted a wider axle into my 120mm hub with axle spacers so I don't have to bend the stays. Got a 107mm BB but I think it's going to be ever so slightly out :(

I'm building one of these up at the moment. I can't bring myself to change the colour so I'm leaving it in the original purple with the graphics. It looks pretty beat up but I kinda like it like that.
Did you have any troubles with the chainline? I've fitted a wider axle into my 120mm hub with axle spacers so I don't have to bend the stays. Got a 107mm BB but I think it's going to be ever so slightly out :(

Super late reply but im not %100, but I just bought the appropriate bb for the cranks and the wheels came pre adjusted so not much help :-(
Ive been riding it solid for a couple of months now and havnt felt any play in the chain when riding really (prob a bit off but dont notice it), so I would say either change the bb to suit rear wheel or vice versa.