Bike Forums - Decoding of Eddy Merckx frames

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It is a 54
And as you would have guessed, "Signature"

A seller gave this info:
"This is an Eddy Merckx Century 653 Frame and Fork set in Team GAN color with 58cm frame size.I recognize that it says corsa extra on the top tube, but I was offered reliable info from thr EM museum that this is actually a Century model, only done a couple years with Reynolds 653 tubing. It was built in 88/89 and sent back to the EM factory for a repaint in the late 90’s where it got the GAN paint job."
Seat tube - 57cm c-c
Top tube 57cm c-c"

On the left of the bottom bracket shell is only an H
On the right of the bottom bracket shell is B and under the B is 858
Rear OLD is 130
(another 653 Century I saw posted was reported to be 126 OLD)
I don't have enough posts to post pictures here, but there's a couple in my album for this forum.

It all makes sense - what is an "EM museum"?

I asked the seller about the EM museum and got this reply:

Re: the EM museum. I actually don’t know much about how substantial it is in person, or even where it’s at. A fella that goes by Emerxil on the paceline forum regularly posts about EM bikes and has a wealth of knowledge. I think I read somewhere that he got some of the EM documentation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyclesMakaron (Post 23056570)

It all makes sense - what is an "EM museum"?

:lol: so its you sir, you are the EM Museum:)

You've done well the place looks great.:thumb:

I didn't expect that - I feel strange

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyclesMakaron (Post 23057406)

I didn't expect that - I feel strange

Ah, subtle nuances of being famous :)

Long time no see, best regards to all Forum members and greetings for the upcoming Christmas season; here I am again after (finally) sourcing a most desired E.Mercks frame, a Corsa 01 coming from an untraced France owner, that transformed the bike over the years. The frame deserves better, and I kindly ask the knowledgeable @CyclesMakaron member to help me with the year of manufacturing for a correct restoration.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...01bd68e2a.jpeg

Quote:

Originally Posted by billytwosheds (Post 23103140)

1989 Corsa Extra in Domex Weinmann livery

5 X
B
4968

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0b51e1eca.jpeg

As found

https://images.craigslist.org/00303_...B_1200x900.jpg

Found my Merckz' sibling, SN# 4969 in this post by bennie222 https://www.bikeforums.net/15085086-post7.html

G 183 4 Corsa 01 - finish 1995/start 1996
B4968 - F(?)5X - summer 1989

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyclesMakaron (Post 23109644)

G 183 4 Corsa 01 - finish 1995/start 1996
B4968 - F(?)5X - summer 1989

thank you very much Jacek!
any idea why no codes stamped on the drive side?

During this period, regular markings were no longer placed - hence the size (4) on the "wrong" side and the lack of Corsa model marking.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8638db786f.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c33a3f50d8.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...99cf5e66ed.jpg

Hi,

Eddy Merckx in Hitachi livery. Not sure what model this is. Internal cable routing, but no X (SLX) mark. Updated frame?

Regards,

Mark

Corsa Extra SLX 1988

Hi Cycles Makaron. Did you ever figure out why some frames, like this one, are missing the frame size second digit and tubing identifier on the left? My 62cm Corsa Extra has "2X" but this frame does not have that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fivethumbs (Post 23134085)

Custom geometrie I think, had another frame with no size indication. But why there's no tubing indication I don't know. First time a have a Corsa Extra without X or TT mark.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyclesMakaron (Post 23133900)

Corsa Extra SLX 1988

Thank you!

What about this one? Corsa Extra with external cable routing and chroom fork.

What year would this one be?

Thanks alot!

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...db0192a129.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a5b38c8b78.jpg

If you see a frame with a sticker "Corsa Extra" and do not see the letter X on the BB cover then:
- your frame is built with SLX tubing, but it belongs to the approximately 3% of series frames where the letter X was not placed for some reason
- your frame is custom built from an unusual tubing mix
- your frame is built for profi
- your frame is built with Reynolds tubing (753 or 653)
- your frame is Corsa Extra Max
- the previous owner stuck "Corsa Extra" on for a joke.
Lack of frame size marking indicates unusual geometry or sclerosis.
Always check the sticker on the steering tube (if it survived), it contains a lot of information.
Z8755 - 1988

Corsa Extra SLX, 1987

Decoding of Eddie Merckx frames

Enjoying this thread tremendously. Thank you @ cyclesmakaron for helping us all. This is one of my frames.
Left = 6X P Right = Z 9768
I’d love to post pictures, but I haven’t gotten my 10 in yet. Thanks in advance.

Corsa Extra SLX autumn 1986

Thanks for your help. I bought the bike at a bicycle swap meet. Paint very beat up, wrong wheels, missing a few parts etc. A good base for a restoration or restomod.

3ddy mercks frame type

[Jacek can you tell me type of this eddy merckx bike frame no left. OTT RIGHT B9734

Manufacturer's marks are placed on the bottom of the BB cover.

- left side: code of EM Cycles employee responsible for preparing the frame before chroming / painting - always one capital letter:
A - prototypes --- ~ B3000
B - 1 ser ~900 --- ~ E6500 + ~ B2500 --- ?
D - ~ A4000 --- ~ F6000
F - ~ E0200 --- ~ E7500 + ~ A9000 --- ~ B5000
G - prototypes --- ~ E6100
H - ~ B1300 --- ~ G5500
J - ~ A7500 --- ~ A9000
K - ~ F 1300
L - ~ Z 5000 --- ~ D 9999
M - ~ E4700 --- ~ A1100
N - ~ C3300 --- ~ C8100
P - ~ E7700 --- ~ A0600 + ~ D5800 --- ~ G5200
S - ~ A8000 --- ~ H
T - ~ A0600 --- ~ A6700
Y - ~ A1500 --- ~ A6700

(there is a designation . (dot) - may belong to this group: prototypes --- ~ E1800)

- left side: code of tube/frame model - one or two capital letter(s):

C - Corsa: ~ Z4600 --- ~ D9000
CX - Criterium: ~ Z7900 --- ~ A9999
M - Strada: ~ A1500 --- ~ B 9999
R - Reynolds 531
TT - Columbus TSX
WW - Strada: ~ D --- ?
X - Columbus SLX

( Columbus SL, Max, EM MX-L, EM Arcobaleno, Reynolds 501, 753, 653 - no markings )
( sometimes after the marks TT and X a letter B appears - meaning unknown --- british thread?)

- left side: height of the seat tube in cm - the last digit i.e:

2 = 52cm or 62cm
5 = 55cm
8 = 48cm or 58cm

- right side:the series marked with a capital letter - in order: E,Z,A,B,C,D,F,G,H,? ( 9999 frames in each - certainly not all frames of the F, G and H series have been painted and sold)

(the first series did not have a letter designation, it probably produced 999 frames - it is not clear whether frames without serial numbers - prototypes - were included in this series)

(there are team markings: KE - Kelme, CS - Capri Sonne, ED - Europ Decor, W - Winning --- used in seasons 1982-1983 without serial numbers ( every team had a separate frame numbering );
from 1984, team designations appeared next to serial numbers i.e. Kelme ( KE ) and Panasonic ( P )- at least until the 1986 season).

The above description is not precise or flawless, but is now - probably - the closest to the truth. Applies only to steel markings of frames manufactured by Eddy Merckx Cycles - the best company in the world :) Any information, correction and question will be accepted carefully, any necessary changes will be implemented immediately. Thank you, best regards - Jacek[/QUOTE]