Classic & Vintage - Guess where I went today????

All you guys get is this:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3229915492_4b17e24fde_b.jpg

Waterloo or Waterford in Wisconsin?

I've never been in either factory so I'm just guessing.

no, I think OP lives in Europe if I'm not mistaken?

Those LOOK like carbon frames, though I could be mistaken...
Those tubes are just awfully big.
Either way... no clue.
-Gene-

Merckx Factory?

Merckx Factory?

That'd be the Pinarello factory now.

Merckx Factory?

You got it. My friend, the head mechanic of my LBS, hooked me up with the trip to the factory. In fact, I was going just to meet Eddy Merckx as my friend had called and asked if I could go meet him and to get somethings of mine autographed. Today was a Great Day!! Not only did I get to meet and chat with Eddy and get some autographes, I was also allowed to visit the Factory. Talk about being "hooked-up."
I also took some Pictures with him. He was so Cool! I'll upload some more pics later. Time to hit the sack.


That'd be the Pinarello factory now.
Not yet, as they are still only "making"/painting "real" Merckx bikes here in Belgium. They are going to start with the "new" (EMX) models later this year, yet they did not say exactly how things are going to go down.

Holy crap! That's one hell of a good Monday! Look forward to seeing photos and hearing details.

Those LOOK like carbon frames, though I could be mistaken...
-Gene-
You're right. Those are all carbon frames.

I saw the title and figured you bought at least one other bike today.

Today was a Great Day!! Not only did I get to meet and chat with Eddy and get some autographes, I was also allowed to visit the Factory. Talk about being "hooked-up."
I also took some Pictures with him. He was so Cool! I'll upload some more pics later. Time to hit the sack.


You sir... SUCK... HARDCORE!
-Gene-

You sir... SUCK... HARDCORE!
-Gene-

That's old news. :p

Wow.

Very cool, can't wait to see the rest of your pictures.

Wow.
I'd have a million questions.
That place and the Martin guitar place are on my bucket list.

Guess what Monday excitement I had?

I went to my one room hole-in-the-wall LBS, and he was closed for winter...

(well done, Gilberto)

Lucky *******!!

WTF is that carbon garbage? Moderator! Get that junk off the screen!

I was disappointed to see on their web site that they no longer make any steel frames...sad.

Different frames but same cover-alls
http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/eddy_merckx/05.jpg

I think the guy in the bottom RH photo is brazing the gear cable stop to MY Merckx frame.

Time to wake up!! We need more photo's!!!

I saw the title and figured you bought at least one other bike today.
HAH!:lol: Funny thing is that I did, yet I was/am more excited about meeting Eddy Merckx and going to the factory. Coincidentally, the bike is a 1974 Merckx in the Molteni colors. I don't know who the builder is but it's made out of Reynolds 531. I'm really hoping it's a Kessels made one. We'll see.


Wow.
I'd have a million questions.
That place and the Martin guitar place are on my bucket list.
I did too, but I only had a few minutes with Eddy Merckx and the "tour" of the factory was very brief since I went when it was almost closing time; 13:00.


I was disappointed to see on their web site that they no longer make any steel frames...sad.
Well, that might not be the case in the future.;)

Guess what Monday excitement I had?

I went to my one room hole-in-the-wall LBS, and he was closed for winter...

(well done, Gilberto)

It was a very good Monday! And all this is happening right before I depart. Man am I going to miss Belgium!:cry:


Different frames but same cover-alls


Exactly. Also, the man Eddy Merckx is watching braze is still there. He was working on an Aluminium frame when I was walking around.

Here are a few more. I'll post a few at a time.

This is the sign on the corner of the building that let's you know you have arrived.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3230630469_b0578c4741_b.jpg

Wait a minute! What's that in front of the entrance???:innocent:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3230550973_d6646e832f_b.jpg

OH CRAP!! Someone stole your wheels!!!

Different frames but same cover-alls
I don't know what eddy is staring at in that picture, you can't see anything. The only thing I can think of is he is going "don't you need a little oxygen with that flame?" That must have been posed, there is no way anyone would braze with that flame, and there probably are very few people that would know that.

The only thing I can think of is he is going "don't you need a little oxygen with that flame?" That must have been posed, there is no way anyone would braze with that flame, and there probably are very few people that would know that.

Probably a new guy just transferred from the Mexico Benotto factory.

-Kurt

So let me explain so it came to be that I got to meet Eddy Merckx and take a tour of the factory. Since I’ve been here in Belgium, I’ve been going to the same LBS even though it’s not the closets one. The nearest one to me was always trying to convince me to buy a new bike instead of messing with my “old, worthless bikes.” As time went by, I made friends with the head mechanic at the LBS that is farther away, not only because they never pressured me to buy a bike from them, but because the head mechanic, now my friend, who would always come and talk to me and answer any of the stupid questions I had. As time went by , we became friends and started hanging out. I went to his house a couple of times and worked on varies bikes. I had told him I would like to learn how to work on modern components, which he then, on his on accord asked the LBS owner if it was ok for me to go to the shop and help out. How cool is that?? Thanks to him, I can now work on almost anything. He has also gotten me in contact with people that have bought new rigs and wanted to sell their old bikes. And if that wasn’t wnough, he has given me a bunch of “old, obsolete components the Shop owner was going to throw away. Such as a Campy SR crankset, Campy SR BB, brakes, RD, etc.. All in all, Yves has been one hell of a friend. Since he was always the one who would work on all my bikes, which consisted of mostly Merckx bikes, he told a while back that he might be able to get me an autograpgh from Eddy Merckx since they dealt with the Company. I told me that would be cool and time went by. And I forgot about it. That was till I got a phone call from him at 09:00 Monday morning telling me that I better get off work and pick him up. I asked him for what and he said, “You are going to meet Le Patron.” Needless to say, I got off work ASAP and went over to pick him up on his off day. Most LBSs here close on Sundays and Mondays. Again, how cool is it for him to take my a $ $ to meet Eddy on his day off?? My friend had to make a call explaining to them, Merckx and company why he wanted to bring me over. I don’t know what reasons he said but they, including Eddy had no problem seeing me when I got there. I had about 10 minutes with Eddy Merckx, but it felt like 30 seconds. First let me say that Eddy Merckx is really cool! He’s also in better shape that what I’ve read. Hell, when he shook my hand, I swear I felt the bones in my hand pop. He came out, shook our hands and just chit chatted with us. I then asked him a few questions which he answered, I took a few pics with him, and I got him to sign a few items for me. I had him autographed that Miroir du Cyclisme Magazine, which I just got that was totally dedicated to him, two Merckx Jerseys, that Merckx cap my son is wearing in my Avatar and my earliest Merckx bicycle. After that, we existed the building and entered through another door to the factory. The guys there let us enter and gave us a brief tour since it was almost lunch time. I asked them about a couple of my bikes, specifically my Merckx Corsa made out of Reynolds 531. The fellow walking with us then took me to the back and ask the guy that was being watched my Merckx brazing in the photo posted by Otis and he told me it was not too common, but if a Team requested it; they made it. I asked him what about if an individual were to have asked and he told me likewise yet most consumers never requested such things. We then got into the modern bikes which my friend was more interested in. Also, I asked him about something I saw here on BF; the thread that talks about NOS frame sets from the 90s being on sale. The guy told me that it’s true that they did sell all the frames they had in the warehouse to varies parties sometime last year. I then hinted that if he had any left I would be more than interested. :innocent: So…Here are some more pics. Lates! PS…I might get to go again before I leave. :D I'll keep posting pics.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/3230559139_971aeecc9d_b.jpg

"Entry reservee exclusively for suppliers and mechanics."
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/3230561939_9f46903537_b.jpg

Check out the door knob.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/3231473026_6e1c5e03f7.jpg

Once you go though the door, this is one of the first things you'll see:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3231421898_c05a48be2c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3333/3230575687_717e8ab3d8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3230580023_2f2cbe1e69_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3231431946_f47b92c6fe_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3390/3231439230_747bc6e2aa_b.jpg

cool. So where are the pics of the man himself? I'm interested to see what he looks like these days.

There isn't a luckier man on this forum then Gilberto. Period.

-Kurt

I seriously think I'd be giddy like a school girl, and probably faint if I ever got the chance to meet Eddy. I'm not the kind of person to think of celebrities as anything special... but, Eddy IS special. I mean, he had/has true talent and skill, not like people in Hollywood who think they're special when they make a movie.
I wanna see one of them win that many races and still not think the world of themselves.
-Gene-

hating you. hating you. hating you...

Ok, I'm over it. Now I'm just jealous.

cool. So where are the pics of the man himself? I'm interested to see what he looks like these days.
Here you go.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3231394492_3c0f5be2b9_b.jpg

There isn't a luckier man on this forum then Gilberto. Period.

-Kurt
Nah. I just always seem to meet the right people.:)

thanks for the story and pics......waaaaaaay cool:thumb:

An experience to remember for a lifetime, for sure. Hey, before they forget how -- how about organizing a Merckx steel frame group buy??? (every one signed, of course) Use your pull, and be a hero with us forever!

An experience to remember for a lifetime, for sure. Hey, before they forget how -- how about organizing a Merckx steel frame group buy??? (every one signed, of course) Use your pull, and be a hero with us forever!

+1000000000. 56-57cm puh-leeze :thumb:.
-Gene-

Wow, that is very cool. I'm glad you got to go, at least that way we get to see the pictures. I know it is probably a blur, but what came up in your conversation if you don't mind me asking.

Wow, that is very cool. I'm glad you got to go, at least that way we get to see the pictures. I know it is probably a blur, but what came up in your conversation if you don't mind me asking.

Though it is a blur what I remember most was his reaction about me being a Mexican in Belgium and being such a huge fan. He asked me from what part of Mexico I was since my friend had mentioned it to them over the phone. Even though he didn't recognized where I was from, he went on and said how funny it was that he had beaten the record in Mexico way back and now a Mexican is here in belgium coming to meet him. Once I showed him the magazine I wanted signed he again said, "There you go. L'Heure A Mexico." Wethen started talking about how many bikes and he was surprised whenI told him how many I had, but I made sure he knew how many of his bikes I had and that they were my favorite to ride. When I picked up the bike i wanted him to autographed he gave a slight grin. He signed it on the toptube near the Seattube and apologized for it being a bit messy, yet it was alward for him to signed while standing and me holding it up. Either way, it was auotgraphed my EDDY MERCKX. After that he just BSed about varies things, such as the crappy Belgian weather.:lol: Here are some more pics:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/3230591581_d2e7b760f3_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3231443206_fd05dc2c14_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/3231444552_3889a429b4_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/3230595921_5a4e1ce1d8_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3421/3231447690_9de6cf9183_b.jpg

An experience to remember for a lifetime, for sure. Hey, before they forget how -- how about organizing a Merckx steel frame group buy??? (every one signed, of course) Use your pull, and be a hero with us forever!


+1000000000. 56-57cm puh-leeze :thumb:.
-Gene-


That would be cool yet I'm on my way out from Belgium. Also, I tried to hook myself up, yet it was a disappointment. All I have to say is that you short people are lucky!:innocent:

He sounds like a cool guy. Do you have any pictures of the autograph? I realize this thread has 2 pages, but I expected a lot more for some reason. You are right though, Eddy does not look as bad as I would have expected, Still has some color in his hair. How old is he anyway?

He sounds like a cool guy. Do you have any pictures of the autograph? I realize this thread has 2 pages, but I expected a lot more for some reason. You are right though, Eddy does not look as bad as I would have expected, Still has some color in his hair. How old is he anyway?


He's the same age as my dad; 63.:D I'll take some pics of the autographs I got. And though there are only two pages to this this thread; it has had 620 views. Though there are not that many post, the amount of views are enough for me to continue posting new pics. People like pics.:D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3399/3231451756_30e5ca4ab7_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/3230604931_6e8f1cfe32_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/3230612707_915c21c2e8_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/3231464604_7cd021db68_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3231394492_3c0f5be2b9_b.jpg

Eddy looks good. I heard he had pretty much stopped riding and put on some weight. Then he started riding again and dropped most of it.

Though it is a blur what I remember most was his reaction about me being a Mexican in Belgium and being such a huge fan. He asked me from what part of Mexico I was since my friend had mentioned it to them over the phone. Even though he didn't recognized where I was from, he went on and said how funny it was that he had beaten the record in Mexico way back and now a Mexican is here in belgium coming to meet him. Once I showed him the magazine I wanted signed he again said, "There you go. L'Heure A Mexico." ...

Did he happen to ask if you knew Siegi Koch?

All I can say is wow!

I'm really sorry to hear that you're leaving Belgium. You've had a heck of a run there. Coming back to the States?

Just out of curiosity, how tall is Merckx?

Also, somebody threw out a nice yellow Merckx in front of the factory because it didn't have any wheels. Would you mind bringing it back for me? :)

All I can say is wow!

I'm really sorry to hear that you're leaving Belgium. You've had a heck of a run there. Coming back to the States?

Just out of curiosity, how tall is Merckx?

Also, somebody threw out a nice yellow Merckx in front of the factory because it didn't have any wheels. Would you mind bringing it back for me? :)

I'm sorry too!:cry: We are going to Maryland. I'm just over 6 ft and I was a bit taller than him. I've read that is was just over 6 ft but who knows.. That BIke was the one signed by him. I told him I was thinking about having it painted in the Molteni colors and he said it was good as it was. So...there you go, if he said it was good as-is then it's good as-is.:thumb:

6' sounds about right (I've heard 6' 1" before). Would explain the frame sizes he rode.

Would you like me to keep my eyes out for a 60cm Moltini Merckx on this side of the pond for you? ;)

-Kurt

I'm sorry too!:cry: We are going to Maryland. I'm just over 6 ft and I was a bit taller than him. I've read that is was just over 6 ft but who knows.. That BIke was the one signed by him. I told him I was thinking about having it painted in the Molteni colors and he said it was good as it was. So...there you go, if he said it was good as-is then it's good as-is.:thumb:

There are a couple regular vintage rides in the Mid Atlantic each year (and the number seems to be slowly creeping up). Hopefully we'll get to ride with you while you're in MD.

Awesome thread, thanks for sharing. I've heard lots of stories about how down to earth and friendly Eddy Merckx is. If you get the chance, check out the short story Roadie in the book Tales from the Bike Shop by Maynard Hershon. It should be required reading for every Merckx fan. I was able to hunt down a NOS MX Leader frameset at the end of last year, and I am soooo looking forward to putting some serious mileage on it this year!

There are a couple regular vintage rides in the Mid Atlantic each year (and the number seems to be slowly creeping up). Hopefully we'll get to ride with you while you're in MD.

Are those organized through the C&V forum, or elsewhere?