Hello. I'll confess that I don't actually own a motobecane, but I am trying to learn more about them. I am helping a friend sell a collection of vintage bikes and among them were two old motobecanes. One of them seems to be an early mobylette and the other is a D52. Here are some pics:

Those just might have some potential. Can you post some details?

To be honest I don't really have any details on the bikes. They belonged to a friends father and he later suffered health complications so I am now helping his wife sell his collection of vintage bikes. Nobody even knew what these two things were until I did some internet searching and found this place. I appologize for the crappy pics but they are kinda hard to get at. The red bike appears to be complete and stright, just rusty. The D52 might be missing it's motor or it was sitting in a box nearby. I'm not sure. Either way, because of condition I can't imagine they would be worth too much. I'm just interested in getting a fair price for them and having them go to someone who will appreciate them.

Well you certainly have found a bunch of people here who are interested in Motobecane - and also other bikes. Perhaps you could let us know the area where these bikes are (we have eager members all over the world so general geographic location please) and also perhaps which other bikes you are helping to find homes for... we also like and appreciate other brands (looks like a Lido or a Quickly in the background of one picture)...
The motor for the Moby and the D52 will look close to identical if there are removed engines in a box...

The bikes are located in Wisconsin. You have a good eye! That other moped is a NSU Quickly S (also for sale).

The red bike looks like one of the earlier (round headlight) moby av89s to me, they had the higher compression head so they were (i dont know if you can really say this about a moped but oh well ) 'faster' its also got that lovely original light tan seat which looks rescuable which is always nice to have.
the engine is called the av7 i think, it is more powerful and that red bike has potential, could be cleaned up and would like absolutely stunning and probably be a nice rider,


That D52 is very very interesting!
Its a bigger bike, 125cc im guessing? could be very rare and possibly worth more than you expect?
looks to be in good condition, but you need to find the engine! I am quite sure its not a 50cc so it wont look the same as the red mobys engine,
maybe take picture of any engines you find and we might be able to identify the correct one? (moby put an M on EVERYTHING! so we might be able to find out which it is)
Dan

The D52 D52tt (also C52 C52tt) are all 50cc AV7 engines with a 5 speed foot operated selector and clutch, the tt has a different handlebar and a kicked up exhause for "tout terrain" (on road off road) driving. Nice bike to have but finicky transmission will have you spending a little more time on maintenance then the relay box transmissions and quite a bit more then the variator.
Yes I do have manuals for these if someone here gets the bikes - even the NSU manual - the S is a nice model as it has a 3 speed gearbox with twise grip gear selector.
If only I was closer to Wisconsin...

oh wow i didnt realise that, thats really interesting! thanks rebel!

Thanks for all the great info! You know canada isn't just too far away from wisconsin.......

That is true - up through the upper part of Michigan and you are in Sault Ste Marie Ontario Canada...


This is the parts book - 5 vitessespar selecteur au pied means 5 speed foot shift

Im in wisconsin and have the same bike as your orange one. Would be interested in parts or both bikes. Feel free to send me an email at pshabino@hotmail.com. Otherwise I will contact you via email. Unfortunately I will be out of email contact till tomorrow evening/sunday morning. I will be driving across the state either saturday night or sunday morning so depending on where you are maybe I could check it out. Let me know

Pat

I could really use both these bikes for parts or maybe restore one, I would appreciate hearing from you.

email sent

man dont let those bikes get parted out! theyre far too good and rare for parts. sell them to someone who will restore them!

yeah it would be a toss up to say whose av89 is in better shape, that one is original paint but seems a bit battered and rusty. Mines cleaned up well and is running just need some finish touches. Definitely someone should make the d52 run, that would be pretty sweet to work on.

-hoodellyhoo - I sent you a couple emails back, not sure if you got them. Let me know if you get a chance to talk to your friend.