Hi,
Tried to research verification method for a 1985 Merckx frame-set that was sold to me as a 753 built frame. With a repaint (and missing decals), hard to verify, although frame is very light and inside of BB shell is exceptionally clean (there is absolutely no brazing visible, and chain-stay, seat and down-tubes are all mitered/trimmed perfect to BB shell).
For reference, BB shell has "P" (on drive-side ) and "Z" over "1138" stamped on the other side.
By chance, anyone know of a good reference site to verify 753 Reynolds (Merckx) frames ?
Thanks for any info.
Phillip

This is a 753 frame (not EM), any similarities? I'm sure someone will be along with a photo assist soon... (or send them over and I'll do it...)

It sounds like a 1985 Professional. Very unlikely that it is 753, more likely it is SL. It is not impossible, though. I have owned two 1985 Merckx Professionals.

There are a few 753 Merckx frames, mostly Gran Prix models. Note the different seat stay (picture from cadre.org):



I have seen pictures of claimed 753 Merckx frames with the script seat stay, but I don't believe decals.

Beautiful bike, and surely 753 with original decals.

Catalog picture:

most 753 frames take a 27mm seatpost. you can check you seat post size for a quick verification

The 753 frames we built at Trek took a 27.4mm post.

your right, my Raleigh takes a 27.0...but I also have a Trek 170...forgot the seatpost size was different. I guess there were many variations of the 753 to be set over the years.

Pic assist:

The first generation of Reynolds 753 was only available with metric diameter tubes. The early Raleigh SBDU frames from the 1970s used metric 753 tubing.

About 1982 Reynolds introduced second generation 753 which was produced in both metric and Imperial (inch) diameters. They were available in 2 versions: 753r (Road) and lighter 753t (Track).

Metric diameter 753 tubing takes 27.0mm diameter seatposts. Sometimes you may see 26.8mm seatposts because the seat tube isn't round.

Inch size seat tubes take 27.4mm seatposts but again you may find a 27.2mm seatpost in an inch size 753 frame.

Supposedly some larger 753 frames had thicker seat tubes and used 1 size smaller seatposts. Also, Reynolds supposedly started supplying 531 fork blades with 753 tube sets.

My 1988 Peugeot Chorus with metric 753r tubing with a 27.0mm seatpost. The metric Reynolds 753r stickers are in French:



My 1984 Holdsworth 753r with inch size tubes. It takes a 27.4mm seatpost:



I think that any Merckx frames made of 753 produced after 1982 would have inch size tubing.

The "Z" stamped into the OP's BB shell indicates 1985 or early 196.

My 1985 Corsa with a Z stamp. 6C means 56cm Corsa.



Here's a link to a Merckx serial number guide and timeline:

Eddy Merckx Serial Numbers

verktyg

Hi! The Merckx 753 did not have any special markings (never), it almost always had the EMC employee symbol (in your P frame, always knocked off atypically to avoid confusion with the weakly knocked out R which always meant Reynolds 531), sometimes a number indicating the size of the frame (almost always stamped on fork tube) and serial number (from 1981 always preceded by the letter of the series: E, Z, A, B etc. - without the second series E, it existed only in the imagination of GITA employees The first series EM753 is nothing different from the normal Eddy Merckx. .. except weight (and riflings in Columbus SL / SLX tubes); the second series EM753 should have a different brake bridge (Silva "flat bottom" instead of Gipiemme "cube") and not have riflings. Your serial number may only match these two series. EM753 I do not call Grand Prix, because this name appeared in late 1988, and your frame is the breakthrough 1984/1985. P does not mean Professional, because such a model has never officially existed (and the designation P can be found on every model of the frame produced in 1984-1986: Eddy Merckx, 3-Athlete, Pro SLX, Pro 753, Corsa, Criterium). Regards - Jacek