Eddy Merckx Frame Identification

[Emerxil]

A X Z622? - Eddy Merckx Pro SLX (built with SPX/SLX tubes) from early 1986 in the colours of the Panasonic team

[ckamp]

Originally Posted by Emerxil

A X Z622? - Eddy Merckx Pro SLX (built with SPX/SLX tubes) from early 1986 in the colours of the Panasonic team

Thanks.

Yes there is a "X A 0 6220 Z" on the BB. I dont see any initials as the team bikes sometimes had them. Number hanger must have been requested I guess.

I found several with and without the corsa extra logo in the exact internal cable routing/number hanger config. Some of the team bikes in the same config also have no corsa logo (as long as the internal routing is there)

Example: https://www.velosaloon.com/products/...c-columbus-slx

With corsa sticker:
https://goo.gl/images/Hy6pf8

Any comments to why there would be corsa sticker or not? (unless removed?)

[Emerxil]

The "Golden stickers" with the names of EMC models appeared in 1986 from the serial number ~Z7700 (this is why the frames in the 1986 catalogue do not have any "golden stickers" yet, and the frames in the 1987 catalogue have them); the only exception was the 3-Athlete model, which was first given these stickers in 1984.
At that time the Criterium model appeared, the Pro model turned into the Corsa Extra with this magic trick, and finally the Corsa model was marked (produced since 1985).
Professional (who never was - officially) never got any gold sticker, and ~2 months later he went down in history...
Frame details (most of them available on request) have nothing to do with it...

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

[jerre]

Hi,

I’ve got this Merckx and suppose it’s an MX Leader from about 1995?
The frame has no stickers though and I haven’t seen this colour anywhere else on the internet…

This is the serial number on the bb:
left: H right: F7149

Any thoughts about it? Thanks!

[Emerxil]

1995 - OK
The frame was repainted - not by EMC...

[pobrien]

Hi Emerxil,

I have a Strada with Columbus Cromor tubing. The frame is a lovely green with a slash of white at the crankset area and red above that and then all green.

The stamping under the crankset is 8M adn 2876.

I bought the frame from a gentleman in the Netherlands a few years ago and it is a great bike.

The bike is quite pedestrian compared to some of the others you have looked at for fellow forumunites but I like it!

Anything you could tell me would be appreciated.

Regards,

Patrick

[Hindmost]

An Eddy Merckx can only become pedestrian when you run out of spares or patches. Picture?

[Emerxil]

M is the designation of the Strada model from 1986 to 1991
If you find it in 2876:
A - this is an early Strada from early 1987
B - end 1988
C - end 1990
...photos are definitely welcome

[Jef58]

Originally Posted by pobrien

Hi Emerxil,

I have a Strada with Columbus Cromor tubing. The frame is a lovely green with a slash of white at the crankset area and red above that and then all green.

The stamping under the crankset is 8M adn 2876.

I bought the frame from a gentleman in the Netherlands a few years ago and it is a great bike.

The bike is quite pedestrian compared to some of the others you have looked at for fellow forumunites but I like it!

Anything you could tell me would be appreciated.

Regards,

Patrick

I had a Strada as well, with Gara tubes. A great riding bike. I really doubt if I could tell the difference if it had higher end tubing. Once you dip into a great riding bike, your tastes changes and you get a little more picky on how you want your bikes to ride.

[pobrien]

Hi Emerxil and Jef58,

I appreciate the information. Thank you very much.

I tried to attach a photo but could not shrink it in size enough. Am technically challenged! The bike has been kept well by the previous owner.

The bike is beautiful and rides really well.

Regards,

Patrick

[Gsinill]

I have a lead on what the seller claims to be a pre-production EM frame made by Ugo.
Serial# on the BB shell reads 6 343 and the weird part is a decal on the chainstay cap rather than the early engraved signature.
Legit?

[Emerxil]

There is not a single confirmed frame sold as 'Eddy Merckx' and certainly built by De Rosa ...
This is a frame from 1980 (more photos!) built in Meise; "empty" seatstay caps are rare, but they are genuine EMC... This is the first time I have seen such stickers - thank you

[Gsinill]

Originally Posted by Emerxil

There is not a single confirmed frame sold as 'Eddy Merckx' and certainly built by De Rosa ...

This is a frame from 1980 (more photos!) built in Meise; "empty" seatstay caps are rare, but they are genuine EMC... This is the first time I have seen such stickers - thank you

Thank you! Seller Is in Belgium and claims he found it Close to Meise in a castle.

More pictures:

[Hindmost]

Very nice frame. How would you explain what appears to be paint wear adjacent to the downtube shifters?

[Gsinill]

Originally Posted by Hindmost

Very nice frame. How would you explain what appears to be paint wear adjacent to the downtube shifters?

He said the frame has wear and tear and he wanted to maintain it as patina.
Supposedly he spent 250 Euro to have it preserved:

"The frames has wear and tear. Actually only rust and paint missing. Stickers are overal in very good condition. The restauration is a repaint with original pain of the toptube, little patches on other spots and a complete new clear coat on the whole frame. So the rust stays as patina and the frame is like new."