---- ===== Motobécane/MBK ===== Motobécane was founded in 1923 at the edge of Paris, France as a manufacturer of motorcycles, with the partnership of Abel Bardin, Charles Benoît, and Jules Benezech. It wasn't until the 1950s that Motobecane branched into bicycles and soon became Europe's largest bicycle manufacturer. In 1981, Motobécane went bankrupt and was purchaced in 1984 by Yamaha and reformed under the **//MBK//** brand. Today, [[http://www2.mbk.fr/|MBK France]] manufactures only motorcycles, while [[https://www.motobecane.com/|Motobecane USA]] continues to sell Motobecane branded bicycles made in Taiwan and China, often sold direct to consumer on [[http://www.bikesdirect.com/]]. European and British commonwealth countries continue to have [[https://mbkbikes.com/about/about-mbk|MBK]] branded bicycles. \\ Info from: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motob%C3%A9cane|wikipedia]], [[https://forum-tontonvelo-com.translate.goog/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=12926&_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp|tontonvelo]], [[https://encycloduvelo.fr/motobecane-mbk/|ncycloduvelo]] & [[http://www.generationtobec.fr/histoire.htm|generationtobec]].

{{abel.jpg?180|Abel Bardin}} \\ Abel Bardin [[https://gw.geneanet.org/cegama?n=bardin&oc=0&p=abel&type=tree|geneanet]]

{{charles.jpg?200|Charles Benoît}} \\ Charles Benoît [[http://www.generationtobec.fr/histoire.htm|generationtobec]]

{{jules.jpg?190|Jules Benezech}} \\ Jules Benezech [[https://www.facebook.com/vivreaupays.tarn/posts/pfbid02iYGs8HkYpx8aUr8JBssNEBU16bhW1ESeq1JoRqVuEtkonEJXrJRWYoKbQ12HYDSDl|facebook]]

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---- ===== 1982 Velover ===== Off road kid's bike with rear suspension and a Shimano Digital-6 Console Lever, with an electronic display and //a horn//. This doesn't qualify for inclusion in the MTB timeline, because a [[people:repack|Repack]] run would snap the plastic spokes and the mini-drum brakes would would simply overpower the slick tires. It looks like fun, though. \\ **//Le véritables ancêtres du VTT français.//**((The true ancestor of French mountain biking.)) \\

{{1982.jpg?300|Velover}} \\ Velover, 1981?((Other sources state 1982 and the components weren't available until 1982)) Motobecane catalog [[http://labibleduvelocataloguesmotobecane.blogspot.com/p/motobecane-1981.html|labibleduvelocataloguesmotobecane]]

---- ===== 1984 Mt. Becane ===== Newer Sachs-Huret Rival derailleur (should be a Huret Duopar.) Columbus tubing, TA Triple Plateau crankset, 18 speeds, 30.5 pounds. \\ The is the only year that Motobécane would have its name on a mountain bike. It's likely this is made in France due to the Italian tubing and French components. Future MBKs would use Japanese components with heavy tubing of unknown origin. In the 1990s MBK would start to produce some excellent light weight MTBs.

{{1984.jpg?300|1984 Mt. Becane}} \\ 1984 Mt. Becane [[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/1984-motobecane-mt-becane.438923/|retrobike]]

---- ===== 1985 Tracker ===== As Motobécane becomes MBK it changes its model names but nothing else - mostly same components and colors. Again, the fragile Sachs-Huret derailleur (was a New Success) has been upgraded.

{{1985.jpg?300|1985 Tracker}} \\ 1985 Tracker [[https://happyride-se.translate.goog/forum/threads/retro-mtb-s.3202268/page-8?_x_tr_sl=sv&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp|happyride.se]]

---- ===== 1986 Tracker ===== All original with non-Columbus tubing, Sachs-Huret New Success.

{{1986.jpg?300|1986 Tracker}} \\ 1986 Tracker [[https://forum.tontonvelo.com/viewtopic.php?t=3506|tontonvelo]]

---- ===== 1987 Ranger ===== The model down from the Tracker. Unicrown fork, Sachs-Huret Rival derailleur, Nervar triple crankset.

{{1987.jpg?300|1987 Ranger}} \\ 1987 Ranger [[https://forum-tontonvelo-com.translate.goog/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=12926&_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp|tontonvelo]]

---- ===== 1988 Tracker Hi-Tech ===== Shimano Exage Mountain (1988-89), Rasta colors, 32 pounds.

{{1988.jpg?300|1988 Tracker Hi-Tech}} \\ 1988 Tracker Hi-Tech [[https://www.flickr.com/photos/70950295@N03/8942021838/in/photostream/|flickr]]

---- ===== 1989 Adventure ===== Shimano Exage Country (1988), //"inexternal welding"// (which may mean something in French)

{{1989.jpg?300|1989 Adventure}} \\ 1989 Adventure [[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/1989-mbk-aventure-revival-thread.429190/|retrobike]]

---- ===== 1990 Performer ===== Shimano Exage 300 LX, covered by a plastic "Crash Pro-Tech" guard

{{1990.jpg?300|1990 Performer}} \\ 1990 Performer [[https://www.velovintageagogo.com/t3184-vtt-mbk-performer-21-v-1990-91|velovintageagogo]]

---- ===== 1991 Tracker Hi-Tech ===== It looks like its an evolutionary step backwards, paint wise. Derailleur guard removed. Shark fin is original. Deore XT M735 (1990-92.)

{{1991.jpg?300|1991 Tracker Hi-Tech}} \\ 1991 Tracker Hi-Tech [[http://www.melivelo.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=23510&sid=666becdf4e403db34eec3717b1ed0527|melivelo]]

---- ===== 1992 Rockfighter ===== Shimano Exage 300LX

{{1992.jpg?300|1992 Rockfighter}} \\ 1992 Rockfighter [[https://www.2dehands.be/v/fietsen-en-brommers/fietsen-heren-sportfietsen-en-toerfietsen/m1838882749-vtt-mbk|2dehands.be]]

---- ===== 1993 Climber ===== Shimano Deore DX (1990-93), hopefully non-original rims & tires.

{{1993.jpg?300|1993 Climber}} \\ 1993 Climber [[ https://www.facebook.com/lachouetteparis/posts/pfbid0tPmkFJpSFeaJuM7xG7yfLkYiXG2hwYHPqDM8KcKq4puc16pKs4AThJXBCZMfi73Tl|facebook]]