Not a Typical Motobecane
This lovely bike was sent in by Jimi Roller via the Velocollective Facebook page, which you can visit here. It’s quite an unusual bike, because it has the decals of Motobecane on the frame, as well as the name “Chatard”. Jimi was trying to find out some information about the bike, as the frame has these two names on them. I’ve never heard of Chatard before, and I’m sure this was never a model made by the Motobecane brand.
The Motobecane Headbadge
The Builder
This is a nice restoration project, and Jimi bought the bike from a seller on EBay in France. The seller’s description wasn’t too detailed, but at least he included the full name of the mystery decal on this frame: Maurice Chatard. So who was Maurice Chatard? Anyone know? Because I’ve found very little information about him, the only other bike I’ve come across is a vintage tandem from the same era.
The Chatard Tandem
Firminy
My best guess is that Chatard was a Motobecane dealer based in Firminy in France. This dealer put his own name on the bikes which he custom built. A similar example is this Poirier bike which I blogged about, which was a well known shop in Picardy. These bike shop owners were not frame builders themselves, but rebranded frames made by established brands like Motobecane and Bertin for their shop floors.
Motobecane Restored
C5
This bike is of similar build quality to the Motobecane C5, or Team Champion in the US. It has the same colour as a Super Champion I restored earlier this year. Though it doesn’t have chromed stays and forks, it’s fork crowns are chromed and the long pointed Bocama lugs have nice gold detailing. There are no braze-ons, dating this bike to the mid 1970’s, though the best way to date it would be by checking the components original on the bike. These include:
- A Stronglight double Crankset
- Huret Challenger Derailleurs
- Mavic Red Label Clincher Rims
- Maillard 700 Pro Hubs
- Weinmann Side Pull Brakes?
- Gipiemme Seatpost and Pedals
It’s a beautiful bike, and Jimi has done a great job restoring it. Most of the components are French and would be matching a C5 of the period, except for the Italian pedals and seatpost which are Gipiemme. I’m guessing its Atom freewheel is a five speed, making this bike a 10 speed with a typical 52/42 crankset. On top of that, I really like the suede saddle for style and comfort, a detail I always prefer to the harder leather saddles of the period. Thanks for sending it in, Jimi!
- If you have an interesting, vintage road bike that you’d like to share, please get in touch via the Facebook page. Thanks!
Hello !
My name is Clémentine Chatard and this bike was made by my great-uncle, Mr. Maurice Chatard ! I’ll tell him that his bikes are know worldwide, he’ll be very proud.
Hello Clémentine, thank you for your message. That’s amazing that your grandfather made the bike, thanks for letting us know! So I’m guessing he was a frame builder and built bikes for Motobecane. Great to find the answer to the mystery. Cheers!
I am verry happy cause i am the owner.Cheers to your grandfather!!
My motobecane now lives in greece
I think its simular one ? Or?
Next Pic
Third Pic
Super, thanks for posting your rare Chatard.
We just find MOTOBECABE C22 from 1980 with sticker CHATRAD. We think to restore it in original condition. So Clementine please send us more information about your uncle Maurice Chatard with pictures from the Local Shop in Firminy France. Thanks !
and I have one of this Chatard branded Motobecane ! Cool !!!
extra pic
Wow, that’s a rare find, well done! Can you send some pictures when you finish restoring it? It’s a great colour, thanks so much for sharing!
The project is DONE ! Enjoy it! So can you send us more information about “CHATARD” Supplier – Firminy.
and more pictures ….
and more ….
it’s done…
some more pictures
That’s a lovely bike, another rare example of a Chatard, thanks for posting the pictures and letting us see the cool project you’ve done. Safe riding!
Thanks a lot “velocollective” can you send me more information about this MOTOBECANE retailer and model (C21).
I have this Chatard frame which I picked up for €40 a little while back. The frame needs some work to restore to its original condition. The now lives in Ireland.
A second pic
And another
Very cool frame and a nice bike, especially since it’s rare. It looks in good condition, thanks for the photos and it’s good to see the head badge. Cheers!