Merckx fan 0511

Hello there. New member. Was toying with the idea of sellin my 1985 Merckx, its got original beautiful baint, 59 cm, Everything is Campy except I have suntour barcon shifters. The wheels are Campagnolo Lambada Strada aero wheels laced to Campy High flange hubs/ Everything on this bike shines like its new. A few small spots where the paint flaked off. But barely noticable at all. was curious what I should ask for this bike. Thanks for any advice.

FastJake

Sweet bike, unfortunately I don't know what it's worth. I haven't priced out Merckxs.

If you are going to sell I would do two things. Tilt the saddle to level. Also re-tape the bars and mount the brake levers in a more standard position. They look really goofy so low on the bars.

Poguemahone

Need much better photos of components. And to get top dollar, you'll need far better photos anyhoo-- those are some odd angles/crops. Local or ebay sale? Location? This is a higher dollar bike, so all these affect sale price.

rccardr 

Great bike in a desireable color scheme. No model decal, so I think we can assume it's a Professional. Any idea of the tubing used?

Not a popular size, so take a little off for that. Barcons are not that popular with the Merckx crowd, suggest you swap them for correct Campy downtube shifters. Use the same color cable housing all around (red is better than gray, white would be OK). As others have suggested, fix the saddle angle, move the brake levers to a normal location and get better pictures (clear, detailed to show off the bike's better pieces, not a busy background). It's difficult to take good picures of a white bike in sunlight, so you might want to ask around to see if any of your friends are photography buffs.

All that fixed and sold on eBay with the widest audience = $1250 +/- not including shipping and depending on the scarcity of the Campy components, about which I have no clue. That's what I'll be asking for my 57cm '85 Faema Corsa in SL with pristine DA 7400 6 speed group, new tires, chain, cables, housing, bar wrap, saddle, etc.

Merckx fan 0511

Hey there DR Cannondale, thanks for the advice. The tubing is columbus sl, and the rear derailer is nuovo record, the strade cranks, front derailer, brakes and lever and seat tube are all super record, the hubs are either record high flange or nuovo record high flange, having trouble telling the difference. Everything looks new on the bike. I know I need to find some downtube shifters, I have a question, how do I remove or move the super record brake levers? i dont wanna tear the hoods. also, I have a beautiful Dale which I might sell. its a super V 900. almost mint as well.

Merckx fan 0511

Thanks for the tips Fast Jake. Do you have any experience with removing or moving super record levers. I dont wanna damage the hoods, they are orininal.

FastJake

Virtually all levers are held on the same way. When you squeeze the brake lever (after disconnecting the cable) you can look in and see the single bolt that holds them in place. You don't need to do anything to the hoods.

But then you will have to re-wrap the bars, and redo the cables. If you don't know how to do this I would pay a competent bike shop to do it for you. If you do a bad job (and you will, if it is your first time..) it will make the whole bike look suspicious and turn off potential buyers, especially if you try to sell on ebay.

+1 You need a lot more and a lot better photos if you expect to sell this bike, even on craigslist. It is probably worth over $1000 and when someone spends that much on a bike they want to know what they are getting. They will ignore poorly written ads with poor photos. You have a really nice bike, but if you want to get full value out of it you need to market it well.

Merckx fan 0511

thanks Jake I appreciate it, im adding some new photos now.

Merckx fan 0511

rccardr 

Better, but here's a tip: don't try to take pictures of a mostly white bike against a white background. Go for natural ambient light instead of a flash unless you really know how to set up flash equipment. Use a tripod.

FastJake

Better, but not great. They still look really fuzzy. I would say these are acceptable for an ad, but just barely. +1 Take the photos outside, in natural light.

Stem is above the minimum insertion point, shown in photo 12...

Merckx fan 0511

this is so frustrating, perhaps an old cell phone is not the best camera to be using. Maybe i need to hire a photographer, lol I appreciate the advice guys. I will try again tomorrow if its sunny. thanks again forum members

ericssonboi

Usually people will take the picture against a wall or garage door to show some contrast. The pictures in the second post were better; but consider borrowing a digital camera and not using an old cell phone

CenturionIM

yes, you need to use a camera or a phone with better resolution. it is difficult to cover the details with 1.3 MP lens

Merckx fan 0511

waiting for sunny day to take better pics, thanks everyone for all the advice, what do you think its worth though??

rccardr 

See above, I still think that's good ballpark.

lowgear45 

Gack! Folks, didn't you see the chain stay stop? (Or I should say, NOT stop?) This bike seriously needs a pro mechanic to go over it. The stem is up dangerously too high, the brake levers are koo koo low (already noted I know) and that rear der cable run is scary.

Photos should be taken on a bright but overcast day with a real camera and careful focus. (Cell phone cameras almost never cut it...)

Merckx fan 0511

I am currently trying to find the bolt and nut that fastens that cable run. I have not ridden it since. I took it out recently and can seem to find it. I plan on moving the brake levers to a more correct position and putting new bar tape on. Was waiting to find some campy downtube shifters first so I can get rid of the bar end shifters. and I corrected the stem. I will post new pics soon. Thanks for the feed back again everyone.

Mjm6

Your RD cable from the stop to the RD is too short by most people's book. Plus, remove the cable stop clamp, replace the cable housing, and use the proper termination nipple:



That should be the right one. The guy who does the bar tape should probably give the bike a complete tuneup, and replace cables, etc. Especially if it hasn't been ridden in a long time.

Or, sell it "as-is" and take less for it.


---Michael

Merckx fan 0511

Hello there, thanks again for your input everyone, Im almost finished with the bike and will be posting some pics soon.

IthaDan 

Sweet