Cyclopathe
Le Cycle n° 118 1971/04 Motobécane Cycles Spéciaux p.47
A RACING SERVICE AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS
For the rear end, the Italian-style chrome plating is applied after brazing the dropouts to the seat stays and dropouts, but before brazing the bottom bracket shell and seat clamp. This allows the inside of the dropouts to be cleaned in case of accidental damage, thus preventing internal corrosion of the frame. These rear ends are brazed on a jig, ensuring perfect alignment at the desired angle.
The fork is finished with straight fork legs, and the handlebars are then made on a special jig. The finished frame, with its fork secured in place using spacers the same height as the headset, is fitted with wheels, placed on a surface plate, and held vertically by an adjustable stand.
This allows for quick and precise dimensional checks.
The straightening process is standard. Filing is done with a wooden half-round jaw vise, and emery cloth is used to finish the job. The bushing faces are faced and the internal rounding is done on a special machine.
Then comes the work of the painters, in a spray booth with a water jet, followed by the detailers for the pinstripes, oven baking, and application of the decals. The enameling generally consists of a coat of primer, two coats of enamel, and a coat of varnish. The steering cups are mounted on a vertical press. After retouching the threads of the
On the left, the fork is straightened and checked before bending, and below, it is bent using a jig.
On the right, the fixed bottom bracket cup is screwed and locked onto a horizontal tool. Using a ball bearing on a horizontal tapping machine, the fixed bottom bracket cup is mounted. This operation is quite unique. The bottom bracket cup holder is fixed horizontally against the wall, which allows the frame to rotate in the vertical plane, thus ensuring the operator complete freedom of movement and ample power for a secure locking action.
A specialist mounts the wheels using standard tools, drawing on their expertise and extensive experience.
Finally, the final assembly of the machine is carried out on vertical stands, with the utmost care, by mechanics.
It should be noted that the average length of service at MOTOBECANE for the staff in this workshop exceeds twenty years.
After this brief tour, one can conclude that the Pantin workshop combines a "custom frame" department (although I dislike this term) with a special assembly department for racing bikes, available to any customer. Who wouldn't be happy to be treated like this?
Aside from this admittedly incomplete report, Marcel Chauve gave us a tour of a conference room equipped with a color slide projector showing the main manufacturing and assembly processes for the bicycles.
This is used for information, documentation, and even training for the brand's agents, who periodically complete internships in the company's various workshops, thus ensuring that all customers have access to expertise that is constantly maintained and updated by management. An excellent policy, don't you think?
Daniel REBOUR
Le Cycle n° 118 1971/04 Motobécane Cycles Spéciaux p.47
A RACING SERVICE AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS
For the rear end, the Italian-style chrome plating is applied after brazing the dropouts to the seat stays and dropouts, but before brazing the bottom bracket shell and seat clamp. This allows the inside of the dropouts to be cleaned in case of accidental damage, thus preventing internal corrosion of the frame. These rear ends are brazed on a jig, ensuring perfect alignment at the desired angle.
The fork is finished with straight fork legs, and the handlebars are then made on a special jig. The finished frame, with its fork secured in place using spacers the same height as the headset, is fitted with wheels, placed on a surface plate, and held vertically by an adjustable stand.
This allows for quick and precise dimensional checks.
The straightening process is standard. Filing is done with a wooden half-round jaw vise, and emery cloth is used to finish the job. The bushing faces are faced and the internal rounding is done on a special machine.
Then comes the work of the painters, in a spray booth with a water jet, followed by the detailers for the pinstripes, oven baking, and application of the decals. The enameling generally consists of a coat of primer, two coats of enamel, and a coat of varnish. The steering cups are mounted on a vertical press. After retouching the threads of the
On the left, the fork is straightened and checked before bending, and below, it is bent using a jig.
On the right, the fixed bottom bracket cup is screwed and locked onto a horizontal tool. Using a ball bearing on a horizontal tapping machine, the fixed bottom bracket cup is mounted. This operation is quite unique. The bottom bracket cup holder is fixed horizontally against the wall, which allows the frame to rotate in the vertical plane, thus ensuring the operator complete freedom of movement and ample power for a secure locking action.
A specialist mounts the wheels using standard tools, drawing on their expertise and extensive experience.
Finally, the final assembly of the machine is carried out on vertical stands, with the utmost care, by mechanics.
It should be noted that the average length of service at MOTOBECANE for the staff in this workshop exceeds twenty years.
After this brief tour, one can conclude that the Pantin workshop combines a "custom frame" department (although I dislike this term) with a special assembly department for racing bikes, available to any customer. Who wouldn't be happy to be treated like this?
Aside from this admittedly incomplete report, Marcel Chauve gave us a tour of a conference room equipped with a color slide projector showing the main manufacturing and assembly processes for the bicycles.
This is used for information, documentation, and even training for the brand's agents, who periodically complete internships in the company's various workshops, thus ensuring that all customers have access to expertise that is constantly maintained and updated by management. An excellent policy, don't you think?
Daniel REBOUR