john50

I found this on CL but didn't pursue it because after spending a short time online searching for a Merckx fork I came up with nothing. How difficult would it be to find a correct fork for this?

https://santabarbara.craigslist.org/bop/5174504432.html

KonAaron Snake 

If the price were right I'd say have someone make one for you...but that is insanely overpriced for a repaint with no fork.

gomango

Correct.

That's a tough size. Do you need something that large?

smontanaro 

I'm always skeptical of frame integrity when I see a frame being sold without a fork.

Blue Belly

Frame with no fork is a no deal for me. Can you find a fork? Maybe. But, how much is that going to cost you? 400, 500, $600? & it needs to be for the same bike frame model & size or it may not fit or even ride like it was designed. if your fork is off in any direction, the ride changes. Too many possible variables.

Spaghetti Legs 

Probably wouldn't be too difficult but then you'd be another $150-200 in the hole. I would consider that deal for at most half that price. $1200 should get you a complete Merckx in good shape.

john50

Thanks for your opinions!
The seller got back to me and he does have the original fork but for some reason it wasn't shown in the ad.

KonAaron Snake 

I still think that's on the high side for a repaint on Craigslist.

jiangshi

If the components are truly NOS, and are of interest to you, that may justify the price.

KonAaron Snake 

I humbly apologize...there are some shiny bits with it. Price isn't that out of line actually. Somehow I missed the components and just saw the frame. He may have updated his ad.

john50

Yeah I think he did. I emailed him that I ran the ad by the best vintage bike forum and that the general consensus was it was overpriced and everyone was creeped out by not seeing the forks which actually do come with the bike. He responded that I should check back in his ad later so I think he's gonna change it to show the forks and lower the price. Glad I asked you guys. I do need a frame in this size range and I want another steel road bike but I think I'll look for a project that is more complete than this one. Quite a bit of work here and I'm not an experienced builder.

john50

Yup, the ad re-posted with a lower price and fork, now that the price is lower and the fork is there I'm re-considering. The size is perfect for me, almost identical to my previous vintage steel framer - a 1972 Peugeot PX-10LE switched over to Campy components except for the Stronglight crankset and I loved that ride. The re-paint doesn't bother me because I would be going to have it professionally painted and decaled regardless.
My issue now is that I think the scope of this build is beyond my limited ability and experience.
Can anybody recommend me to a shop or individual familiar with old road bike builds in southern or central California?
If not in my area and I had to ship it then a shop or individual anywhere in the country?
I don't need a "correct restoration" just a nice looking functional bike to take fun local rides on. I plan on using updated pedals and wheels/tires. I don't ever want to go back to gluing on sewups......

john50

There is a place called CyclArt in Vista CA that specializes in this and has a great gallery of their work but I have tried to contact them several times in the past about paint jobs and they never answer the phone or return voicemail or respond to email so I've ruled them out...probably so busy they don't want any more work...lol

KonAaron Snake 

You will hear very mixed reviews of cyclart here...and a lot of suggestions that there may be better options for less money.

Spaghetti Legs 

Yes that new price is closer to fair IMO with the new info on the fork. I didn't pick up on the parts being new as I just looked at the pics. You can resell the hubs or maybe put them up for trade here for some combo bars/stem/headset/bottom bracket.

KonAaron Snake 

With the parts I think that's a decent buy.

jiangshi

If it fits, a no brainer.