We need pics or it didn't happen. ;)

If its a team livery bike you may want to replicate, if not, well....

You can post them to an album on your homepage and they may get moved here.

You need 5 posts X 2 days for 10 to post them here yourself.

Welcome aboard, glad you found us. :thumb:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...91d581e61.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...876701f15.jpeg
Just acquired this Eddy from a seller that bought it in a storage unit auction. Online searches only netted two examples in this paint job, one was here on BF and the other that was sold through Steel Vintage Bikes in Berlin. Both bikes from the search were Columbus SLX and had internal rear brake cable.
I’m guessing this bike may have been a custom order because of a several reasons. This frame measures 54.5 seat tube and top tube, and I’ve never seen an actual half-size Merckx before. Also, the fork has been built with a 15mm extended steer tube. And finally, it’s a Reynolds 753 frame.
The only left side stamp I can find, and I searched with a magnifying glass, is the D. Right side is clear B 1110.

This is a Grand Prix (late 1988/early 1989), perhaps the fork is from another set. The frame was repainted (this paint scheme was introduced later)

There is a topic on the forum:
Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra Team USA.

Thank you for the info. I'm curious if the repaint could have been done at the Merckx factory, because I know that was something they used to do. I remember seeing a decal that identified the frame as being repainted by the factory.
I'll give the fork a good look once I have it removed, and look for any other clues.

Yes, I saw that and I mentioned it in my post.

The painting of your frame is factoryhttps://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7bc4ff608.jpeg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...df346487af.png
My Merckx
Rust is almost everywhere under the paintwork, the whole thing has to be renewed.
Now all that's left to do is choose a colour - probably matte black
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...52910baae1.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...649ed6036d.jpg

I got this Merckx bike from a household liquidation of an older gentlemen who unfortunately passed away. It must have been in storage for a while and I had to disassemble and clean it thoroughly.

What stand out it that the frame does not have any down tube shifter bosses but two cable guides for the bar end shifters instead. The frame should be Reynolds steel according to the seat tube sticker. The bottom bracket probably reads. Left: A. Right E 4746.

I am also including a probably original sticker of the steerer tube. Molteni is probably the color (or team?) and then 60 for the size (?) and NR or MR (?).

Any further information about this frame is appreciated. Thank you.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b5044dca6.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f126b5337.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...665b867ee.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7e5600357.jpeg

CyclesMakaron a few pics of the fork tag which seems to reference the frame serial number and “USA” paint. Do you know if this tag would have been applied for a frame that had been sent to the factory for a repaint?
The tag appears to be paper and had a clear tape over it. I removed the tape to clean dark grease off of the tag so I could read it, and applied fresh tape after. Also, note the “K” stamp on the steerer tube.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c0f5b5fa3.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f6af2c98e.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4502ada61.jpeg

E4746 A - Eddy Merckx Professional 1981/1982, Reynolds 531 tubes , molteni is the color of the frame (orange), 60 is the length of the seat tube measured center-center, NR is the marking of the Reynolds tubes. Frame factory modified for the bar end shifters - first time I've seen this on an early EMC. The bike is beautiful and rare.
B1110 - USA - known, BAZ/YMS - unknown, 2p. chroom - frame chrome pattern, later - frame repainted in EMC (that was the point!), K - the guy who built the fork.

I need white lettering for the Merckx Profesional (black matt), do you know of anything other than cyclomondo? I pick up the frame tomorrow.
I've decided it's going to be really special and so I've chosen a Suntour superbe pro.

Very nice bike. Any chance the frame doesn't fit you and you'd like to sell?

I already have it, new matte black paint....https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1a76babf4a.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8df854affb.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4c36737c58.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...96ad2d1464.jpg

Your frame was built in early 1981, at that time EMC only assembled Campagnolo Super Record. Nevertheless, there were also sold (very few) frames that were equipped in stores with custom groups - the first generation Suntour Superbe Pro should fit.
If not Cyclomondo then Bicals from Serbia

I understand but I don't share the philosophy of originality above all else. On the one hand, it is beautiful to have a perfectly restored bike, a perfect bike like the original.
But on the other hand, taste, one's own choice.... I always have this problem, or maybe a different group and so what if different years, or maybe something in my own way
Probably a little heresy, but ... maybe sometimes it's worth it. Worse if we regret it later ( correction I regret it)
I will think about the original, but ...

I’m looking for more info about a Merckx frame I’ve had for about a decade now. I bought it on eBay for its tighter geometry. The seller mentioned that this size is very similar to what Axel Merckx raced/trained with at Team Motorola (~58 TT, ~ 63 ST) but couldn’t confirm that it was his. A bike shop said the rust buildup under the seat looked like it could have been used on a trainer often and is in identical condition as when I got it. Markings on the bottom are S - B 2391. Number hangar on top-tube with internal routing opening on the left side of the TT. It has no EM stamps at the top of the seatstay which doesn't seem too common on bikes with SLX stickers. "Silva" under the brake bridge and Campagnolo dropouts. Here are some photos of the bike with a groupset I got separately. Thanks in advance.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...37dae8a35b.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5c9dd9fd03.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7e15bffee8.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dfcdfec6e6.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a862f6640c.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...df0e73703d.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ca56646c49.jpg

This frame has nothing to do with Team Motorola - it was probably built in early 1989. It is also unlikely to have anything to do with Axel Merckx, who was not even 17 at the time - and still growing :)
If I were you, I'd check if the frame isn't built from Reynolds tubes (the Columbus SLX sticker is non-factory). Remove the front wheel and take a photo of the inside of the fork steerer tube - we'll see :)

Ah yes, forgot about that possibility. Here's a photo.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e453f8d12.jpeg

We have Columbus :)

Repainted in your opinion or was this color scheme an option in '89? So it's a Columbus tubed frame with narrow seatstays, compact geometry, and a number hanger optioned on the build?

This scheme did not exist at the beginning of 1989. We have 2 possibilities: the frame "waited" in Meise for the Motorola paint job, or it was repainted at the customer's request. The solution to this mystery is (probably) found on a piece of paper placed on the fork steering tube. Narrow seatstays and number hanger are options. Markings indicate early "road racing geo".

Hi

The bike was too small for me. I sold it as a frame. When I bought it, it had mostly Chorus 7spd parts.

Regards

2 p. chroom laten.

Laten=let it be/leave/remain

So leave the chrome on the 2 p (patten = drop outs poten = (fork) legs) take your pick :)

Thanks for the explanation on that.