Eddy Merckx Frame Identification

[Stephen59]

Okay I've taken off the fork and there is a label withsome info on it, please see the photos.

[Emerxil]

The SLX and TSX had all the tubes visible through the BB cover with "riflings"...
The SL/SP and Cromor had "riflings" only in the steering tube...
Reynolds had no "riflings"...
...but SLX was marked 'technical' X or XB and TSX was marked TT or TTB, Strada (Cromor/Strada tubes) was marked M or WW, Corsa was marked C (in the 531 version additionally R)...
...was 753 (no designation) or some professional mix of tubes for the team (hence no designation of specific tubes)...
...show the photo with the manufacturer's markings on BB cover... and if you can get the inside of the steering tube and the inside of the BB cover...
A card:
D1455 - invaluable confirmation of correct completion of the frame + fork
AFR - painting code: A - scheme 01-03, FR - colours used (R=Red)
2p. chroom - frame chrome plating scheme (not including lugs)
later - frame repainted
55 - painted... unique markings - instead of stamped marks?
...by the way, you can see the original frame color...

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[Stephen59]

Once again thank you for the time you are taking with this query. I can see rifling at the bottom of the steerer tube and seat-tube, I will see if I can see rifling in the down-tube.

[Stephen59]

Originally Posted by Emerxil

The SLX and TSX had all the tubes visible through the BB cover with "riflings"...
The SL/SP and Cromor had "riflings" only in the steering tube...
Reynolds had no "riflings"...
...but SLX was marked 'technical' X or XB and TSX was marked TT or TTB, Strada (Cromor/Strada tubes) was marked M or WW, Corsa was marked C (in the 531 version additionally R)...
...was 753 (no designation) or some professional mix of tubes for the team (hence no designation of specific tubes)...
...show the photo with the manufacturer's markings on BB cover... and if you can get the inside of the steering tube and the inside of the BB cover...
A card:
D1455 - invaluable confirmation of correct completion of the frame + fork
AFR - painting code: A - scheme 01-03, FR - colours used (R=Red)
2p. chroom - frame chrome plating scheme (not including lugs)
later - frame repainted
55 - painted... unique markings - instead of stamped marks?
...by the way, you can see the original frame color...

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

Here's the bottom-bracket, the H is not very distinctive at all, but I'm pretty sure it is an H.

[Stephen59]

Okay I've inspected all of the tubes I can see and here are the results:

Seat-tube - rifling
Down-tube - rifling
Chainstays - rifling

[Emerxil]

H is a code mark of an EMC employee, not related to the frame model, tube type and geometry...
Our "hero" is Corsa Extra SLX or TSX - no X, XB, TT or TTB markings were rare at that time... But it happened - the most likely choice is the Corsa Extra SLX road racing geometry... (there were most of them at that time, and to "forget" there were only X, not 2-3 letters)
Is there anything else below H?

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[Stephen59]

Originally Posted by Emerxil

H is a code mark of an EMC employee, not related to the frame model, tube type and geometry...
Our "hero" is Corsa Extra SLX or TSX - no X, XB, TT or TTB markings were rare at that time... But it happened - the most likely choice is the Corsa Extra SLX road racing geometry... (there were most of them at that time, and to "forget" there were only X, not 2-3 letters)
Is there anything else below H?

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Thank you again for your time. I have had a good look and can't see anything below the H, however obviously the paint might be covering something. So on to rebuilding this frame, any thoughts/ideas, Campagnolo 7 or 8 speed, pre ergo?

[Mtbric]

Doing another Merckx build to period \ racing correct specs. Telekom colors.
Serial: 5TT C3287. 55cm Corsa Extra TSX. 1991?
Already acquiring 1992 race parts like the Turbomatic, 3ttt Evol stem, C Record, etc.

[Emerxil]

End of 1990

[Mtbric]

Thanks !!

[cua90]

Originally Posted by Stephen59

Thank you again for your time. I have had a good look and can't see anything below the H, however obviously the paint might be covering something. So on to rebuilding this frame, any thoughts/ideas, Campagnolo 7 or 8 speed, pre ergo?

As shown earlier in the thread here is my 92 Corsa Extra, similar to what you have:

[saf-t]

A little thread drift, but appropriate- today is Eddy's 75th birthday!

[Emerxil]

It's definitely not "little drift" - is the most important information in this thread

[SergeF]

Dear Emerxil,

In the late 80's my father bought this Eddy Merckx secondhand. In that time it was painted purple-green. Unfortunately it's repainted and the serialnumber is difficult to read. I think it's 9X - 3343.

Can you help me with year/type of this bike.

Merckx.jpg

serienr.jpg

Thanks

[Emerxil]

Nice puzzle
"Big" seat stay caps ended their career at EMC in 1987.
Brake bridge Silva 2 appeared in 1986 (Silva 3 even later)
The years 86-87 are designations from ~Z6000 to ~A7000
Your frame matches the serial designation A3343 or ~spring 1987
At that time, only 2 models containing the X designation were produced:
- Corsa Extra SLX (designation X)
- Criterium (designation CX)
All visible frame elements fit both models

95% - Corsa Extra SLX
5% - Criterium

...and remove the paint from this area, read the markings and then spray it with black spray and that's it
...especially that this frame was, as it seems, previously painted in Team Stuttgart colours, which in spring 1987 "didn't exist" yet. - which could mean it's been repainted twice...

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