MBK Tracker 1986 - first french attempt at a mainstream MTB!

[bduc61]

I believe this is the truly first french try at a mainstream MTB by MBK - the new marketing name of the very old motobecane
which went down in 1983 to be bought back by some investors out of which Yamaha !

Its probably from 85 or 86

Influenced by its US role models

with a triple Specialites TA crankset with bashguard
rear Sachs Huret New Success long cage derailleur - the top of the touring and road derailleur from Sachs which had bought Huret earlier on in 1980
Sachs Huret front Derailleur
Sachs Huret Thumbshifters ( pretty rare here in France)
Dia Compe Cantilevers with Lee Chi brake levers ( wonder why these :?: they are the owners of Promax now )
Maillard hubs on Weinmann rims
BMX stem and bar - I really think a bullmoose stem + a nitto 801 bar would look much better :idea:

Unfortunately bought the bike in a "remote" manner and its not in very good condition :?
the frame is in quite a sad state, paintwise ( some slight corrosion lines under the paint and some areas sprayed with can black paint :roll:

Don't know what I will do yet :facepalm: shall it be a donor bike as most of the parts are original ?

But amusing as really one of the first french MTB

 

[CezarB]

I think bringing it back to ridable condition whilst keeping it original is the best idea!

 

[John J]

Re:

Sachs Huret thumb shifters. I've never seen those before.
Watching this build with interest

 

[bduc61]

Re:

Here a restoration of an example which sports another stem and bar which I actually prefer :idea:

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[Bearded_Borg]

Here's my mbk tracker. Still looking for some parts, but will be done in the next couple of weeks. Will go back to sachs shifters again to keep it like it was.

 

[dirttorpedo]

Interesting bike. How does it ride?

 

[Bearded_Borg]

Interesting bike. How does it ride?

It's a bit front heavy. Haven't riding it so much yet. So don't have much moore to say right now on the riding part.

Edit. it rides really nice.