https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d95cb55b4e.jpg

Interesting that the Columbus decal is SLX. My research has SPX used for frames over ~58 to retain stiffness?

According to an interview with Eddy Merckx in an old Winning magazine that I have, for large frames, he used a mixture of SLX and SPX tubing but still used the SLX sticker. I have a full SPX Bottecchia that is much stiffer than the Merckx. The Merckx also has a much lower bottom bracket, which I believe contributes to the flexibility.

EMC used SPX (and earlier SP) already above 56, but usually left a lighter version (SLX and SL) for the seat tube (27.2 - of course). The information about the SLX sticker is invaluable, thank you. Now it's time for observations: strips (blue and fuchsia) on seat stays do not look like a factory paint EMC (you can see light reflections on color borders and uneven edges, the pattern is not applied symmetrically); EMC did not use black paint as a primer (matte or other). Conclusions: there are 2 options to choose from - it is a factory painting, but sometimes "corrected" ( thus the traces of the masking tape and black cutouts ) or it is completely repainted somewhere outside of EMC.
In my opinion much more speaks in favour of the version "improving factory painting". There is a chance to check the actual state of affairs: on the steering tube of the fork, EMC placed a piece of paper with the following information: serial number, size and... code of factory painting of frame (the codes can be found in the catalogues, unfortunately, mainly later). The code is usually 2-3 capital letters placed in the middle of the card (in my EM I found the FA code, i.e. the FAEMA painting pattern and the unusual Blue 83 code). If the card survived...

I pulled the fork and took these photos. The letters look like "Go" or "Gp". German Pro perhaps?

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I have an early Merckx which I've had since the mid 80's. I bought the frame from a shop in Milwaukee. The bike went through two cross country moves with us with the second making a mess of the paint so I had Spectrum repaint it in 2002. I've always wondered what it's year of mfg was.

Beautifully preserved card - it can be a proof of the original painting (and only possible corrections). "Go" or "Co" - pure speculation... I have already reached "Green over" and "German overspray" :) In fact, we need for happiness the second frame from 1988 originally painted in Stuttgart "camo" with a preserved card or any EM with a card with an identical marking - I am afraid that only this will explain the situation. Another silly question: is EDDY MERCKX on brake bridge painted black or fuchsia?

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Elegant EM 1981 in the Molteni style - nice to see.

Thanks CycleMakaron, how are you coming up with the 1981 dating? I've become so confused over the years. The bike originally was a deep red/burgundy with yellow decals. With the repaint I was shooting for early Molteni. When did EM start importing to the US? I saw him at the 1982 or 83 Chicago show I believe, he was signing posters which I have framed though the signature is almost faded away.

Merckx lettering on brake bridge painted black.

Do you know any other two-letter paint codes? If we could figure out the format it may give us insite. If "FA" is Faema, then the format could be the first two letters of the paint scheme or the first and last letter. If it's the latter, then German Pro would be "Go" and Domex would be "Dx" and so on.

Dating EM early frames is a long story... but yours was probably produced in the summer of 1981. Red frame + yellow inscriptions... I have a painted frame like this (E6xx); if you had to paint it, Molteni was a nice choice, but.... The debut of EMC racing bikes in the United States was the Tour of America 1983 (team Winning - Eddy Merckx - Campagnolo), they used the bikes in this painting. The import started in 1980 (Ochsner Intl - Chicago, they only imported frames and it was an absolute exception; in the years 1980-1982 Merckx could buy only ready-made bicycles), then GITA joined (and soon took over the US representation).

It took some time, sorry, but finally I remembered where I saw the first EMC codes of the painting. "The frame Lives up to the Name" by EDDY MERCKX 1989 - corrected English version. Seven EMC frames were shown there and the code is given next to each frame. I don't have an original and the resolution of the photos is poor (my eyes too), but (from the left): ADR 88 = AP; Domex 89 = VOP; La William 89 = BJP; TeVe Blad 87 (really it's Lotto 89 ! - I think something went wrong with the 1989 contract) = XP; 7-Eleven 89 = SE; Hitachi = NP; Stuttgart 89 = QP. If anyone has access to this source, please correct it.
Observations: P is probably Pattern, only capital letters are used. Going back to our hero: "Go" or "Co" doesn't fit the style of the team designations; if we add black in places where fuchsia should be, it looks like the frame has been finished in a different painting than Stuttgart's (probably in one "civil" color). However, he did not have to leave the EMC factory in this painting - after a summer "sunbathing" in 1988 she could be painted there on Stuttgart (without changing the original piece of paper on the steering tube) and only then sold in this form. The second version was repainting the frame on the Stuttgart pattern outside the EMC factory in 89/90 - if so, the colors and stickers were carefully selected, but some minor mistakes were made (black instead of fuchsia and traces of using masking tape on seat stays). Both versions of the events are probable, I can not decide which one is true.

Love this thread. Unfortunately i have to post 10 quick messages before i can put up a photo.

My first EMB bottom bracket has:

Left------Right
8----------Z
X----------5736
P*

* I think it is stamped upside down. It looks like an upside down uppercase P rather than a lower case 'd'.

Still love this thread....

My second EMB bottom bracket has:

Left------Right
(.) ----------C
A----------1275
8TTB

P8X Z5736: P - EMC employee designation (always 'not correctly' in the 1980s - upside down or lying - to avoid confusion with "poorly" visible R, which meant Reynolds 531); 8 - frame size (48 or 58); X - Columbus SLX; Z5736 - serial number (production late 1985 or early 1986; model is Eddy Merckx Pro SLX (later renamed Corsa Extra).
A8TTB C1275: A8 - already known; TT - Columbus TSX; B - not sure, research is in progress :) C1275 - 1990; the model is Eddy Merckx Century.

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That's great!

Who knows, but thanks for the information! It would be strange for someone to pay to have the frame repainted in perfect Stuttgart colors only to accept the wrong color in the lug cutouts. Also, the black paint on the bottom bracket shows the white paint bleeding through, as if it was not done at the factory. I would not be surprised if the lug cutouts and lettering were left white and someone later filled them in with cheap black paint.

Anything is possible - I don't know when you bought this frame and which you own, maybe "along the way" one of the previous owners in good faith "improved" the previous painting (and not necessarily once).... I have already seen EMC frames painted at least twice. I think the most important thing is that the frame looks good and is carefully maintained, and since it's an SLX, you have a lot of fun driving. Some information is unavailable - we have to live with it :)

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MXL Frame ID
 

I have currently two merckx bikes, the first is this mxl painted (definitely a repaint) in 7-11 colors. It measures 63x61cm...and has the number hanger so I'm assuming it's a team frame but no idea on original paint. An email to the EM factory earlier this year claimed it was an 89' 7eleven team frame but that no other records exist to substantiate that. If it was a 7-11 team bike I have no idea who would have ridden a bike this large.

I cant post pictures yet, but drive side of BB shell has "L" and non drive has "F 1516"

The other Merckx "Caloi" in Motorola colors is the one we have communicated about on ebay.

I don't have good news: Mx Leader started production in 1992 and the F1516 serial number is 1994.... If someone at the current Merckx bicycle manufacturer does not know this and gives absurd information, it is better to forget about this "source". Number hanger is an option available to everyone, not only professional riders.

Great thread. i have wondered what year mine is. i have 7A on the left and E8931 on the right. any info would be great.

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Eddy Merckx (Professional) 1984, Columbus SL/SP

I knew production started later. This bike doesnt have the mxl sticker, possibly due to repaint, but it is definitely built with max tubes. I have also seen a couple bikes labeled as Corsa's but built with Max tubes.

Once I get my 10 posts, I'll put up a picture or two.

This thread has lots of good information so thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm curious of your background, did you work with EMC, or just an afficianado sharing what you have put together?

There were two models in which Columbus Max was used. In the years 1990-1992 Eddy Merckx Max was produced, which since 1991 was labeled as Corsa Extra. From 1992 onwards, the Mx Leader model was produced, clearly modified compared to the Corsa Extra Max model (modified lugs, top tube from the Minimax set, rear tubes from Columbus SLX). I didn't work for EMC, I'm just an amateur (and a bit accidental) of the brand - all my data and findings come from publicly available sources.

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Unfortunately I do not own a Merckx, but would like to thank you nonetheless for all the time and work you have put into this very worthwhile effort.
Brent

Thank you very much; I have a lot of fun at it. Buy a Merckx, you will give me a chance to be wise again :)

CyclesMakaron, wow, you sir, are a wealth of Eddy information. Two questions if I may:

1. Can you date my all blue, no chrome F6482 with a '0' and an '8' on the other side of the BB. By my measure, a 58x58 ? It seems to be SL or SP, no rifling inside the seat tube, flat fork crown. A 1982 Professional?

2. What is your story, or is there already an answer to this and I missed it?

I would include a photo of it but I've not made enough posts on this forum:(

1) something is definitely wrong with the signs: E6482 - 1983; F6482 - 1995; similarly "08" would be very unusual (although I have already seen it on one frame). A good photo would definitely be nice...
2) I don't know if I described here a sad history of my "possession by EMC". - nothing special, pure coincidence.
3) I invite you to read and watch my other threads - Thank you.

Jacek,

Well, I looked again and also took photographs and the letter I thought was an "F" is most probably an "E". I'll keep posting so I can share images...
When the frames were designated SP/SL, which tubes were SP? Only the seat tube or others also?

I found this Eddy locally but it's not my size unfortunately. I also own a Motorola replica TSX that fits and it's a keeper.

Many Thanks,
Chris

In bicycle frames above size 56, EMC replaced SL tubes with SP tubes, starting from the bottom tube and ending with seat tube (in my frame from 1980 -57cm - top and down tubes are marked SP, seat tube: SL - 27.2 seat post)
TSX is on my shopping list (Century or Corsa Extra) - not available yet.... so I envy you :)
If this is the E series - congratulations on having EM (Professional); interesting is the designation 08 - impatiently waiting for the photos :)

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