Conference noted::bicycle

    I can't answer most your of questions, but it strikes me that the only
    component you'll have difficulty fitting is the bottom bracket, since
    that's the only screw-in part (headsets are press-in).
    
    
    Rod

>> Anyone have any idea as the the feasibility of this approach? 

  The headset might or might not work due to stack hight of the previous
headset being SHORTER than the one you are going to install. Chances are the
headset you are going to install is a Japanise one which are the shortest and a
few washers will be the most you'll need to get if you don't want to cut down
the fork tube.

The BB you have is not french then all you'll need to order is french cups. 
Maybe you can find a shop that has a french BB of your style in stock that no 
one can use and he'll be happy to work a swap if the cups you have are still 
new.

Tom

    It is not that difficult to find French cups for bottom brackets or
    retainer rings with French threads for sealed BB.
    
    The pedals and the freewheel are different, but you sound like you are
    going to put on a new crankset/pedals and wheels anyway. I would also
    check the diameter of the stem, I have a vague memory of a friend
    having a problem changing his stem.
    
    I've been facing the opposite problem, I've got a pretty good frame (an
    old Vita Sprint 531 DB frame) and I'm slowly upgrading the
    components...
    
    	Marty Sasaki

I'd suspect the seatpost of being a non-fit, also.  Ther fron deraileur
is probably a strap on and the seat tube a slightly different diameter
so that might be a problem.  How about that little cable guide for the rear
deraileur cable, that may or may not be right.

Seat tube binder bolt is likely to be incompatible.

Do the brakes fit and have the right reach?  I cannot thionk of a reason
for them not to fit but I also cannot think of a reason for them to fit.

ed

    Thanks folks - I think I'm going to wait & find an english frame.
    
    
    							JB

    
    Gee, I have an old Motobecane Grand Record (super frame, probably some
    of the nicest lug work ever on a production bicycle) and a bike shop
    told me that the bottom bracket threads are probably english. I can't
    verify that however, I'm still using the original bottom bracket. 
    
    Seat post width will probably be a problem though. I know mine was
    an off size.
    
    I'd say ask a reputable bike shop. Older Motobecane frames are of
    pretty good quality in my opinion.

    Oh, yes, I also thought highly of that era and model-range
    of Motobecane.  But I always assumed the threading was French.
    Silly me. :-)  Let us know if you find out.
    
    -john

    This is straight out of Frank Berto Book "Complete Guide To Upgrading 
    Your Bike". On Page 8 in the Standardization and Nonstandardization
    topic.
       
    
       Before you start to upgrade your bicycle, check the botton bracket.
    If the cups are 1.37 inches in diameter and have a 24 tpi (threads per
    inch) and the bottom bracket is 68mm (2.68 inches) wide, you are in
    luck. Your bike uses English threads, the de facto industry standard.
       If you hav an English-threaded bike, your headset will be 27mm in
    diameter, while the steerer tube will be 1 inch in diameter and will
    have 24 tpi. The crank will accept 20 tpi pedal threads that are 9/16
    inch in diameter. You will be able to get standard parts from almost
    any supply source.
       If your frame has a 70mm (2.76 inches) bottom bracket width, then it
    probably has French, Italian, or Swiss threads and I advise you to sell
    it to someone who hasn't read this book. Start with a English threaded
    frame. Do spend your time back ordering parts, waiting for them, and
    then finding that they don't fit. etc.....
    
       
    If you look in most bike catalogs. They do not stock French thread
    parts. I would stick with Frank advice above unless you are going to
    build a classic French bike for display or show.  
                                                    
    Dave  

    Sage advice indeed!  Actually, I ended up selling the parts bike &
    forgetting the whole thing.  Thanks to all for the good advice!