Id like to make an inquiry as to the authenticity of this eddy merckx frame
 

Hello everyone! I just recieved this bicycle in trade for work, and would like to A: Make sure its not a rebadge of something else and B: figure out its year of production and value if it is legit. I came witth campagnolo hubs and upper bearing bracketry, mavic ma4c wheels, and shimano dura-ace brakes. It is a very nice frame, but i noticed no EM insignia on the bike aside from the stickers and that concerns me. The only serial number stamped into it is 26026 or 26C26 (i cant really tell on the center digit) on the bottom bracket. Anything that could point me in the correct direction would be fantastic! Thank you.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...downsize-3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...downsize-5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...downsize-4.jpg

A legit Merckx should have the Merckx or EM logo on the fork crown, seatstay caps, and rear brake bridge.

Also, the routing of the rear brake cable does not match any Merckx model I've ever seen. The EM Corsa routes the brake cable on the top side of the top tube, while the Corsa Extra had internal routing. Yours has it routed on the underside of the top tube.

...Doesn't look like a Merckx to me.

I am certainly no expert on oldr Mercxxs but couldn't be an old one from the Falcon days?

That's what I was wondering when I saw it, but there are some Merckx experts who may stumble on this thread eventually.

to be honest two years ago I would have looked at the pumppegs and the housing stops and said no. however I have learned so much here over the last two years. I still get a kick out of watching you guys swoon over bikes I would have turned my nose up to ten or so years ago.

Lots of odd Merckx' can be found in Europe, these ones are all from a French classifieds site.

http://193.164.196.40/images/386/3864346406.jpg

http://193.164.196.60/images/370/3702580185.jpg

http://193.164.196.50/images/317/3179588902.jpg

http://193.164.196.30/images/224/2245411835.jpg

http://193.164.196.50/images/135/1358972204.jpg

It's possible, but the logos don't match the Falcon bikes. It is possible that someone re-painted a Falcon and added the newer decals. Still, its ain't a Merckx.

Maybe don't despair too much. It does not appear to be a Merckx, but what are the dropouts? They look forged. The brake bridge looks well made. The lugs look nice. You still could have a nice frame on your hands.

I had an 86 merckx corsa. The decals on this bike are from that era but the paint is that Merckx orange from the 70s era. Dont remember a Merckx frame ever having fender eyelets, nonetheless it looks retro!

Take close-up pics of the fork crown, the top of the rear stays, the rear drop-outs and the bottom of the bottom bracket. Also take closer pics of all the labels on the bike. As for the components, I do not think that will help pinpoint the make and model as components are changed out during the life pf a bike.

Ian

Here is a page with information on Merckx serial numbers. It only goes back to the early 80's but does give some useful info.
http://www.cadre.org/Merckx/

It seems like the serial numbers are on the left and right side of the bottom bracket.
Attachment 193353

According to this site, the decals on your bike are from 1986. (about half way down the page.)