CyclesMakaron

Introduction

Eddy merckx was born and some time later he got on a bike




Then he changed clothes and bikes for a while and rode a lot




Then he got off and put his bike up against a wall




Then he got in the car, but it wasn't interesting




Then he played ball for a while, but it wasn't interesting




Then Ugo De Rosa made an inception and it got very interesting




Then with the help of his friends, family and the Almighty (in any order), the best bicycle factory in the world was built




...of which he became the proud owner




Then he put his cycling career into perspective




Then it turned out that he had a lot of fun all his life - by the way, he gave a lot of fun to many people




Then it turned out that me too - this is an attempt at a rematch

CyclesMakaron

Hello everyone interested (about 16 people)
This is an ambitious project that is beyond me.... but I will try anyway.
I present what I have been able to gather, determine, analyze and anticipate on the topic "as in the title".
All the material is divided into parts:
Part 01: elEMerCkx or steel frame elements - photo designations EMF (F for Frame)
- tubes #2
- front lugs #3
- rear lugs #4
- BB cover #5 #6
- fork crown #7
- seatstay cap #8
- bridges #9
- fork/dropouts #10 #11
- slides #12 #13
- number hanger, FD mountings, shifter mountings
pump peg, chain holder, bottle holders #14 #15
- tubes inside #16
Part 02: gEoMerCkx or frame geometry - photo designations EMG (G for Geometry)
- all #17 #18
Part 03: systEMerCkx or system of factory markings - photo designations EMM (M for Markings)
- BB cover #19 #20 #21
- steering tube #22 #23
- card tag #24
- markings decoding #25
Part 04: schEMerCkx or frame painting schemes - EMP photo designations (P for Painting)
- #26 - #35 (chronology)
Part 05: stickEMerCkx or stickers and inscriptions on the frames - photo designations EMS (S for Stickers)
- tubes #36 #37 #38
- models #39 #40
- down tube #41
- EM logo, belgian handmade, WC stripes, EM original paintwork #43
- anniversary, team issue #44
- others #45
Part 06: bikEMerCkx or road models - photo designations EMB (B for Bike)
- chronology, hierarchy, Professional #46
- Aero #47
- 3-Athlete #48
- Pro #49
- Corsa #50
- Corsa Extra #51
- Criterium #52
- Strada #53
- Grand Prix #54
- Century #55
- Corsa Extra Max #56
- Mx Leader #57
- Corsa Thron/01 #58
- Arcobaleno #59
- Strada OS #60
Part 07: tEaMerCkx or frames used by pro riders - photo designations EMT (T for Team)
- 1980-1983 #61
- 1984-1985 #62
- 1986-1988 #63
- 1989-1990 #64
- 1991-1993 #65
- 1994-1995 #66
- 1996-1998 #67
Part 08: cataloguEMerCkx, or information from catalogs - photo designations EMX (X for No Idea of Other Designation)
- 1981 #68
- 1985 #69
- 1986 #70
- 1987 #71
- 1988 #72
- 1989 eu #73
- 1989 us #74
- 1990 #75
- 1991/92 #76
- 1993 #77
- 1994 #78
- 1995 #79
- 1996 #80
- 1997 plus #81
Part 09: articlEMerCkx or press releases - designation of EMA pictures (A for Article)
- 1980 #82
- 1981 #83
- 1982-1984 #84
- 1985-1986 #85
- 1987 #86
- 1988 #87
- 1989 #88
- 1990 #89
- 1992 #90 #91
- 1993 #92
- 1994 #93
- built sheets, others #94 #95
Part 10: pricEMerCkx or price list information - designation of EML (L for priceList) photos
- pricelist #96
Part 11: timelinEMerCkx or EMC step by step - photo code EMCTL (Eddy Merckx Cycles TimeLine)
- early and E #97
- Z #98
- A #100
- B and C #101
- D and F #102
- G,H,J,K,L,M,N,P others #103
Part12: Parts Accessories EMC #106 - #120
Part13: Various EMC
- local races #121 - #123
- Merckx Genius #124
- Donnay by Merckx #125 - #126
- Merckx Alu Oria #127 - #128
- PODIO, screwdriving and guinea pig #131
- Chrono short history #132 - #134
- EMC - Meise - 2002 - surprise #135 - #136


Sorry for the weird words, but this might make it easier to navigate the web.
Some parts will have their own chapters, each chapter will have its own label and set of photos with description.
This project will take a lot of time and space - please be patient (everyone - especially the bosses of this forum)
Thank you very much for (somewhat forced) cooperation of all those whose materials I will use (photos !) - please don't be angry, it's our common work !
I am not in any way related to EMC, former employees, salesmen, mechanics, currently operating stores and companies, I do not run any promotional or advertising campaigns, I do not have access to "secret archives", I have no personal interests in this project (except lasting, although somewhat limited, fame)
Please forgive me, but I won't be answering questions in this thread (at least not until I finish it) - all observations, questions, doubts and bugs (I'm sure there will be some) should be posted in "Decoding...". - there I will answer politely and quickly

Part 01
elEMerCkx - steel frame elements
Chapter 01: EMFT (T for Tubes) photo designations
Chapter 02: EMFF (F for Front Lugs) photo designations
Chapter 03: EMFR (R for Rear lug) photo identification
Chapter 04: EMFB (B for Bottom bracket) photos
Chapter 05: EMFC (C for Crown) photos
Chapter 06: EMFA (Aaa...no idea = seatstay cap)
Chapter 07: EMFH photo code (H for bridge shape...= bridges)
Chapter 08: EMFO photos (O for fork/drop outs)
Chapter 09: EMFS photos (S for Slides)
Chapter 10: EMFV photos (V for Various)
Chapter 11: EMFI (I for Inside, tubes inside of course)
All dating should be treated as "somewhat approximate". - explanation in Part 11
Important note: Nowhere has it ever happened that an "old model part" suddenly disappeared and a "new model" used exclusively appeared - there has always been a "transition period" in which "old" and "new" models were used.

elEMerCkx 01 EMFT Tubes

EMFT01



Classic: TT 25.4 - DT 28.6 - ST 28.6
Applicable: 1980 - 2006
- Professional (all): 1980 - 1986
- Pro (all): 1984 - 1986
- Corsa Extra (all except CE Max): 1986 - 2006
- Criterium (all): 1986 - 1988
- Grand Prix (all): 1988 - 1990
- Century (all): 1988 - 1994
- Corsa (all except Thron and 01): 1985 - 1994
- 3-Athlete (all): 1984 - 1986
- Strada (all except Strada OS): 1986 - 1997

EMFT02



"Thick" seatstays inherited from De Rosa styling used on all models from 1980 - 1987

EMFT03



"Thin" seatstays introduced in 1987 on all models.

EMFT04



"Flattened" tubes of the Aero model used from 1981. 1984 saw the introduction of the Chrono model (lo-pro silhouette) - from then on the production of the Aero was phased out (last confirmed is from 1986)

EMFT05



Columbus Max tubular frame, oversize and ovalised, used on the Corsa Extra Max model from 1990 to 1992
TT tapers in the front to rear direction (viewed from the side).
Compare TT and DT at front lugs - both are "thick"

EMFT06



Columbus MXL tubing, oversized and ovalised, used on Mx Leader from 1992 - 2006
TT widens in front-to-rear direction (viewed from side)
Compare TT and DT at front lugs - TT is clearly thinner

EMFT07



"Flattening" of DT and ST at BB cover - characteristic of Corsa Extra Max and Mx Laeder models

EMFT08



"Flattening" of DT and ST, powerful chainstays - again Corsa Extra Max and Mx Leader

EMFT09



Oversized tubing.
Used: 1994 - 2001
- Corsa Thron: 1994
- Strada OS: 1995 - 2001
- Corsa 01: 1994 - 1995
- Arcobaleno: 1994 - 1995
Note: early versions of Corsa 01 and Arcobaleno were built with standard tubing, oversized but not ovalised

EMFT10



Oversized and ovalised tubing, but "thinner" than Columbus Max and MXL
Applicable: 1995 - 2001
- Corsa 01: 1995 - 2001
- Arcobaleno: 1995 - 2000

CyclesMakaron

elEMerCkx 02 EMFF Front lugs

EMFF01



Pattern used by De Rosa; probably used during "framebuilders training" in 1979/1980

EMFF02



Pattern commonly used from 1980 to 1981, "long lugs"

EMFF03



Pattern used infrequently between 1980 and 1981.

EMFF04



Pattern used between 1980 - 1990 on all models except 3-Athlete, early Corsa, early Strada; "short lugs" or "bikini lugs"

EMFF05



Pattern used from 1984 to 1989 on 3-Athlete, early Corsa and early Strada models.

EMFF06



Pattern used exclusively from 1990 to 1992 on the Corsa Extra Max model

EMFF07



Pattern used from 1992 to 2006 on Mx Leader model only.

EMFF08



Pattern used on various models since 1994

EMFF09



Pattern used on various models since 1987

EMFF10



"Lugless" design used exclusively on late model Arcobaleno since 1995.

CyclesMakaron

elEMerCkx 03 EMFR Rear lugs

EMFR01



As EMFF02

EMFR02



As EMFF03

EMFR03



As EMFF04

EMFR04



As EMFF05

EMFR05



As EMFF06

EMFR06



Like EMFF07 but used universally in all models (modified according to TT dimensions)

EMFR07



As EMFF08

EMFR08



A rare model used since 1995

EMFR09



Model used only on late version of Arcobaleno since 1995.

CyclesMakaron

elEMerCkx 04 EMFB Bottom bracket cover

EMFB01


De Rosa, as EMFF01

EMFB02



2 versions of the same design; the one on the right is earlier, used by De Rosa; 1980 - 1981. 1985 - 1986: used on 3-Athlete, and early Corsa models.

EMFB03



"Eddy Merckx" pattern version one used 1980 - 1981

EMFB04



"Eddy Merckx" pattern second version - also 1980 - 1981.

EMFB05



Pattern commonly used between 1981 - 1986 in the Professional model

EMFB06



Modification of EMFB05 introduced in 1983 - slides on BB cover removed.

EMFB07



Like EMFB06

EMFB08



Pattern used from 1984 to 1988 on Pro, Corsa Extra, Criterium and Corsa models

EMFB09



Pattern introduced in 1984 on 3-Athlete, early Corsa and early Strada models

EMFB10



Pattern introduced in 1987

CyclesMakaron

EMFB11



Modification of EMFB10 with added "EM-logo" introduced in 1988

EMFB12



Design introduced in 1988

EMFB13



introduced in 1989

EMFB14



Pattern introduced in 1989

EMFB15



introduced in 1990, superseded all previous designs - used until 2006


EMFB16



Pattern introduced in 1990 with Columbus Max tubing kit, used until 1992 on Corsa Extra Max and Mx Leader models

EMFB17



Introduced in 1992 and used until 2006 on Mx Leader only.

EMFB18



Pattern introduced in 1994 and used on oversized tubing frames

EMFB19



Pattern introduced in 1995 used in all oversized and ovalised frames

EMFB20



Modification EMFB19

CyclesMakaron

elEMerCkx 05 EMFC fork Crown

EMFC01



De Rosa, as EMFF01

EMFC02



Like EMFC01 with added "Eddy" and "Merckx" markings, characteristic "early" reinforcement; used 1980 - 1990

EMFC03



Design used by De Rosa installed on 1981 Aero model only

EMFC04



Pattern used between 1982 - 2006

EMFC05



Pattern used between 1986 and 1994

EMFC06



Model used between 1990 and 1991 on Corsa Extra Max model only

EMFC07



Pattern used between 1991 - 2006 on Corsa Extra Max and Mx Leader models and on request on Arcobaleno, Corsa Extra and Corsa 01

EMFC08



Pattern used on Arcobaleno since 1995

EMFC09



EL-OS pattern available as option since 1993

EMFC10



Time carbon pattern available as option since 1996

CyclesMakaron

elEMerCkx 06 EMFA seAtstAy cAp

EMFA01



Pattern used between 1980 and 1981, the famous "signature"

EMFA02



Model used from 1980 to 1981 (with or without sticker)

EMFA03



Pattern used 1980-1987, "thick" seatstay cap to match EMFT02

EMFA04



Pattern used on Aero 1981 - 1986

EMFA05



Pattern used from 1987, "thin" seatstay cap to fit EMFT03

EMFA06



Pattern used 1984 - 1987, EMFT02 "no-ssc"

EMFA07



Model used from 1987 to 1997, EMFT03 "no-ssc"

EMFA08



Pattern 1990-1991 used on Corsa Extra Max

EMFA09



Model used since 1991

EMFA10



Pattern used since 1992

CyclesMakaron

elEMerCkx 07 EMFH bridges

EMFH01


Pattern used in 1980, Gipiemme "cube" and reinforcement "rhombus"

EMFH02



Modification of EMFH01, Gipiemme "cube" and "rounded" reinforcements
Used on models:
- Professional (1980 - 1986)
- Pro (1984)
- 3-Athlete (1984 - 1987)
- Corsa (1985 - 1988)
- Strada (1987 - 1989)

EMFH03



Pattern introduced in 1984, 'flat bottom', 'silva 1, inscription 1'
Used on models:
- Professional (1984 - 1985) - exceptionally, possibly in error
- Pro (1984 - 1985)

EMFH04



Modification of EMFH03 introduced in 1985, "silva 2", rest unchanged
Used for models:
- Pro (1985 - 1986)

EMFH05



Modification of EMF03 introduced in 1985, "inscription 3", remainder unchanged
Used on models:
- Pro (1985 - 1986)

EMFH06



Design introduced in 1986, "arched bottom", "silva 2"
Used in models:
- Pro (1986)
- Criterium (1986 - 1987)
- Corsa Extra (1986 - 1987)

EMFH07



Pattern introduced in 1987, "curved top", "silva 3"
Used on all models since 1987

EMFH08



Pattern introduced in 1980, "rhombus" reinforcements

EMFH09



Modification of EMFH08 introduced in 1980, "curved top" reinforcements
Used on all chainbridge models until 1989 (longest on Strada)

EMFH10



Modification of EMFH08 introduced in 1984, no reinforcements, used on 3-Athlete model only (until 1985)

CyclesMakaron

elEMerCkx 08 EMFO fOrk/drOpOuts

EMFO01


(Campagnolo) forkouts, "hand made" mounting
Model used 1980 - 1981

EMFO02



(Campagnolo) dropouts, "hand made" fixing, copy of De Rosa pattern, Porta Catena holes
Model used 1980-1981

EMFO03



(Eddy Merckx) forkouts, "hand made" fastening
Pattern used 1981

EMFO04



(Eddy Merckx) dropouts, like EMFO02 but without Porta Catena holes

EMFO05



Like EMFO01 but with "mechanical" mounting
Pattern used 1981 - 1990 on all models except 3-Athlete and Strada

EMFO06



Like EMFO02 but "mechanical" fastening
Pattern used 1981 - 1982 (version with Porta Catena holes);
1982 - 1990 (without Porta catena holes) used on all models except 3-Athlete and Strada

EMFO07



(Eddy Merckx - inclined) forkouts
Pattern used from 1984 to 1987 on 3-Athlete model only

EMFO08



(Eddy Merckx - inclined) dropouts
Pattern used from 1984 to 1987 on 3-Athlete model only

EMFO09



(COLUMBUS) forkouts
Pattern used from 1987 to 1990 on the Strada model only

EMFO10



(COLUMBUS) dropouts
Pattern used between 1987 - 1990 only for Strada model

CyclesMakaron

EMFO11



(EDDY MERCKX) forkouts
Pattern introduced in 1990, used on all models until 2006

EMFO12



(EDDY MERCKX) dropouts, "short"
Pattern used from 1990 to 1993

EMFO13



Like EMFO12, but "mid"
Pattern used from 1992 to 1995
The photo shows the "fowl" version found on the Strada model

EMFO14



Like EMFO12, but "long"
Pattern used from 1994 to 2006

EMFO15



(EDDY MERCKX) dropouts "vertical"
Pattern used 1994 - 1995 on Arcobaleno model only

CyclesMakaron

elEMerCkx 09 EMFS Slides

EMFS01



Slides "above" BB cover
Pattern used for models:
- Professional (1980 - 1986)
- Aero (1981 - 1986)
- Pro (1984 - 1985)

EMFS02



Slide on chainstay
Pattern used always and everywhere

EMFS03



Slides on front lug
Introduced in 1991

EMFS04



Slides on TT
Introduced in 1980, virtually unused after 1995

EMFS05



Slides on TT used only on Aero (1981 - 1986), design "borrowed" from De Rosa

EMFS06



Like EMFS06

EMFS07



Slides on TT "cable inside", "factory improvisation" used in 1983

EMFS08



As EMFS07

EMFS09



Slides on TT "cable inside", "short"
Pattern used from 1984 to 1991
Available as option

EMFS10



Like EMFS09

CyclesMakaron

EMFS11



Slides on TT "at 7 o'clock", duplicated EMFS02
Pattern introduced in 1987

EMFS12



Slides on TT "at 7 o'clock"
introduced in 1988, most common on Strada 1990-1997
Available as an option

EMFS13



Slides on TT "cable inside", "long"
Pattern used from 1992 to 2006
Available as an option

EMFS14



Like EMFS13

EMFS15



"Double inside" improvised pattern

CyclesMakaron

elEMerCkx 10 EMFV Various details

EMFV01



Number hanger "early"
Pattern used between 1980 and 1989

EMFV02



Modification of EMFV01

EMFV03



Modification EMFV01
Model used between 1985 and 1989

EMFV04



Model used since 1987
Number hanger was always available as an option for everyone

EMFV05



FD clamp-on attachment
Introduced in 1980, available until 1994

EMFV06



"Early" FD mounting
Model used from 1981 on Aero, from late 1982 on Professional, used until 1987

EMFV07



As EMFV06

EMFV08



"Late" FD mounting
Pattern introduced in 1987

EMFV09



Like EMFV08

EMFV10



Handle attachment on DT
Pattern always used - except for...

CyclesMakaron

EMFV11



Handle attachment on DT
Model used on Aero only

EMFV12



Pump mount on ST (small frames)
Introduced in 1984
Option

EMFV13



Pump attachment for HT (other frames)
introduced in 1984
Option

EMFV14



Chain holder
introduced in 1984
Option

EMFV15



Bidon cage holder, "early"

EMFV16



Bidon cage mount, "late"

EMFV17



Bidon cage mount on ST
Option

CyclesMakaron

elEMerCkx 11 EMFI Inside tubes

EMFI01



The inside of the tubes is smooth, it could be anything...

EMFI02



The inside of the tubes has spiral reinforcement, "riflings"
This indicates Columbus SLX/SPX or TSX tubes

EMFI03



Like EMFI02

EMFI04



Like EMFI02

EMFI05



The inside of the steering tube has spiral reinforcement, "riflings"
This indicates Columbus SL/SP, SLX/SPX or TSX tubes

EMFI06



Like EMFI05

EMFI07



As EMFI05

End of Part 01 - only 10 left

CyclesMakaron

Part 02

gEoMerckx - EMC Frame Geometry

No chapters this time, just a chronology


1) "Merckx" geometry
There is an account of the original EMC bike geometry.
It was supposed to be a "copy" of the geometry Eddy used when he was still a pro.
According to the account, it was soon realised that the "Merckx" geo was unusual and not suitable for the common man and it was then modified...
...and the wonderful "road racing" geo that we know and love was born.
There are no further details on when, where or how many frames were built
I'm rather disturbed by the fact that there has never been such a thing as a single and unchanging "geometry for Eddy".
Merckx could take 18 frames to the Giro and each was slightly different....
About the special frame for "I do not remember which" Milano - San Remo lower than "average" by 4 cm, built only to "murder" the peloton in the uphill and once again win is also worth remembering

2) "road racing" geometry

EMG01


example

EMG02


most complete table of "road racing" geometry (1994 catalog)

Geometry used on models:
- Professional (all)
- Aero (all)
- Pro (all)
- 3-Athlete (all)
- Corsa (1985 - 1994)
- Corsa Extra (1986 - 1995)
- Strada (1987 - 1997)
- Grand Prix (all)

3) "criterium" geometry

EMG03


careful description, tables do not exist

EMG04


example, note the "clearance" between front wheel and DT - this is the only (not too) conspicuous feature of "criterium" geometry

EMG05


comparison of "road racing" and "criterium" geometry (1987 catalog)

Geometry used exclusively on Criterium from 1986 to 1988

4) "century" geometry

EMG06



priceless page with description and overview drawing (1990 catalog) - description is great, drawing less so: TT was not at all longer than in "road racing" geometry (above size 54)

EMG07


example

EMG08


most complete "century" geometry table (catalog?)

Geometry used on models:
- Century (all)
- Corsa Extra Max (all)
- Mx Leader (all)
- Arcobaleno (all)
- Corsa Extra (1990 - 2006)
- Corsa (1991 - 1994)
- Corsa Thron (all)
- Corsa 01 (all)
- Strada OS (all)

5) "century modified" geometry

EMG09


table just in case
Modification introduced in 2002
I have no information about the geometry used on steel frames after 2002

6) Method of attaching seatstays to rear lug, "narrow"

EMG10


Option introduced in 1984

CyclesMakaron

7) Method of attaching seatstays to rear lug, "classic"

EMG11


Applied 1980-2006

8) "Freuler" geometry

Option available since 1995

EMG12


Frame

EMG13


Front lug

EMG14


Rear lug

End of Part 02

CyclesMakaron

Part 03

systEMerCkx - Factory Marking System

EMM00




In this section it is the most important EMC employee, shown at his workstation, carefully placing factory markings on BB cover with hammer and bits.
On the table, other bits and "paper documentation"
The frame is admittedly alu, but this is 2002, no need to be picky

Chapter 01: EMMB or Bottom bracket markings
Chapter 02: EMMS or Steering tube markings
Chapter 03: EMMC or Card markings
Chapter 04: EMMX or Glossary

systEMerCkx 01 EMMB - Bottom bracket cover

all markings are divided into :
"technical" - placed on the left side of the bottom bracket cover:
- the worker responsible for approving the frame for painting and (or) chroming. The worker had his own code (1 capital letter or other symbol). The worker's job was to "catch" any imperfections in the frame construction and correct them. It was a one-man quality control, very responsible position - in case of failure (complaint) he was responsible to the Boss - here I will call him "EMC man".
- Frame size, i.e. ST height measured c-c (centro - centro) marked with one digit, e.g. 4 means 54cm or 64 cm, 7 means 47cm or 57 cm.
- the tubes and (or) geometry used, only capital letters are used (from 1 to 3)
"Glossary of symbols" at the end of Part 03.

"statistical" - placed on the right side of the bottom of the BB cover specify:
- production series (1 capital letter, except 1980)
- the next frame in the series; designations in the number range 0001 - 9999 (except for 1980 production)
- special designations for some frames built for profi team
"Glossary of symbols" at the end of Part 03.

Examples of different designations and their evolution

EMMB01



No designations
Earliest frames from 1980 only

EMMB02



Left:
Right: Designation V267
The V series is the most mysterious series of all in EMC
It is outside the "normal" designation system and appears on the oldest frames as well as titanium and alu !
There are specimens suggesting they were built as "training framebuilding" at the De Rosa plant.
It would be cool if V stood for Vranckx (Johan Vranckx is the main framebuilder of EMC and is known to have "trained" under the De Rosa family in Italy)

EMMB03



Left: only 4 (frame size)
Right:
Early 1980 frames only

EMMB04



Left: B only (EMC man)
Right: not relevant
Early 1980 frames only, if no serial number

EMMB05



Left: "EMC man" and frame size
Right: "no letter" serial number
Still year 1980

EMMB06



Left: A - EMC man, 6 - frame size, R - Reynolds 531 tube designation
Right: serial number, first "letter" series - E (that doesn't mean Early, probably Eddy)
The E series was probably produced for 3.5 years (from the beginning of 1981 to the middle of 1984)
Trying to meaningfully date EMC frames is only Part 11

EMMB07



Left: D - EMC man, 5 - frame size, C - Columbus SL or SP tube designation, then Corsa model
Right: serial number

EMMB08



Left: anonymous EMC man, 7 - known, CR - Corsa Reynolds 531
Right: serial number

EMMB09



Left: as EMMB08, but CB stands for Corsa built in "century" geometry
Right: serial number

CyclesMakaron

EMMB10



Left: D - "EMC man" returns, 2 - known, X - Columbus SLX/SPX tube designation
Right: known

EMMB11



Left: no surprises except XB - SLX/SPX tubes, "century" geometry
Right: known

EMMB12



Left: T - EMC man, 2 - frame size, CX - Criterium model designation
Right: no change

EMMB13



Left: new is M; in this case it's the Strada model designation; note, this is a tricky designation - see "Glossary..."
Right: serial number

EMMB14



Left: novelty is WW - the model designation for the Strada, came out in 1992
Right: no change

EMMB15



Left: S - EMC man, 7 - frame size, TT - Columbus TSX, "road racing" geometry i.e. Corsa Extra TSX
Right: serial number

EMMB16



Left: new is TTB i.e. Century TSX
Right: serial number

EMMB17



Left:
Right: serial number and frame size
As you can see, the great EMC marking system has just died, precision and order are gone...
Of course this is only a joke - all the important information has been removed from the BB cover and moved to the Card - about that in Chapter 3

EMMB18



Left: U06 570 50
Right: 16/100 L7030
This is an absolutely unusual designation for the 2006 built Corsa Extra 7-Eleven limited series
U06 570 - one serial number
L7030 - second serial number
50 - frame size
16/100 - 16th frame out of 100 built in this series

EMMB19



The only marking is the frame size, there is not even a serial number....this is the frame from the 2008/2009 inventory after Eddy's divestiture - the end of EMC for me

CyclesMakaron

EMMB20



Non-standard designation: G CS30
G - EMC man, CS30 - Capri Sonne team, 30th frame

EMMB21



Non-standard designation: A KE63 5
A and 5 - known, KE63 - Kelme team, 63rd frame

EMMB22



Non-standard designation: A ED79 - team Europ Decor, 79th frame

EMMB23



Very unusual designation: P Z4586 HL 1 86 P
P - EMC man, Z4586 - serial number, HL - initials of a Team Panasonic rider, 1 86 - first frame for season 86, P - pista (there were some without P for road)

EMMB24



As EMMB23 - shortened version (for 1987 season)

EMMB25



An innocent "EMC man" joke
Changing pages, reversing and swapping markings and just plain mistakes sometimes happen ...

CyclesMakaron

systEMerCkx 02 EMMS Steering tube

The markings on the steering tube were used at the same time as the EMMB markings
The markings were either stamped in metal or written on a card attached to the ST

EMMS01



Serial number - used in all early EMC (1980 and maybe 1981), in non-standard frames due to geometry (Criterium - always with CX designation) or tubes (e.g. in Reynolds 753)

EMMS02



Size - sometimes size shown on BB cover differs from steering tube (never by more than 1)

EMMS03



EMC man" code - most often different than on BB cover

EMMS04



Reynolds designation

EMMS05



Like EMMS04 and size and confirmation that it is Reynolds 531

EMMS06



Designations: D - EMC man, 7 - size, bird - Columbus

"Card" markings (priceless note: all these letters and numbers were written by Eddy Merckx - confirmed by graphological analysis done.... unfortunately by me - must suffice)

EMMS07



- E.1186: serial number always written with a dot after the series letter
- chrome or chromi: information on the way of chrome plating
- + attachi ? GB: information about adding "eyelets" over forkouts
- 60: frame size
- kc: meaning unspecified, in all likelihood it is a tube and/or geometry designation

EMMS08



- E.7477: number with a dot
- Bl83: frame color Blue1983
- 60: frame size
- NR: ? but frame made of Reynolds 531

EMMS09



- Z.2448: known
- FA: FAEMA paint code
- 2 pattern chrome: 2 way of chrome plating the frame
- 58: frame size
- kc: ? frame built with SLX/SPX

EMMS10



- Z.5233
- 31: meaning unclear - probably a paint code
- 2p. chromi: known
- 55: frame size
- 753: yes, frame built with Reynolds 753

CyclesMakaron

EMMS11



- A.1552
- 39
- 2p. chromi
- 62
- Nm: ? Frame made of Columbus Matrix

EMMS12



- A.8542
- DP: Team Stuttgart paint designation
- 2.p chromi
- 58
- kc

EMMS13



- Motorola: yes, it is a profi team frame
- TMT: Team Motorola paint scheme
- 2p.chromi
- 55.5 (high accuracy - well, team bike)

EMMS14



- AFK: paint scheme
- 2p.chromi
- later: very important information, means EMC frame repainting

EMMS15



- Lefevre: name of the customer
- DRT: painting pattern of the frame

EMMS16



printed version, later
- serial number
- mysterious designation
- size

EMMS17



Like EMMS16

CyclesMakaron

systEMerCkx 03 EMMC - designation on card tag

Such tags existed for sure since 1993 (maybe earlier)
They contain all information, which were previously on BB cover and steering tube, and even more
Unfortunately, there are very few of them (available in the internet), probably because it was the first thing which was lost by the owner - you have to admit that the markings on the BB cover are harder to lose

EMMC01



- G4478/KV: serial number and information K=Kader (frame) and V = Vork (fork)
- 48 and 48.0: frame size
- 00293: do not know, it is not a date
- KC: a familiar designation, but...
- A.SG.PB.STI: components mounted on the frame
- A.C: chrome components
- P: "EMC man"
- 013.DRW and DRW: paint scheme

Note: "Glossary of symbols" at the end of Part 3 i.e. now

CyclesMakaron

systEMerCkx 04 EMMX - "Glossary of symbols"

Technical symbols (always to the left of the BB cover)

A - EMC man (does not mean Professional model)
B - EMC man (does not stand for Professional model)
C - Columbus SL/SP from 1984 to 1986 in an unnamed model (preCorsa or Corsa v.1); after the official name Corsa was introduced in 1986 it stands for this model (for more details see Corsa model description)
CB - Corsa "century" geometry
CR - Corsa , Reynolds 531 tubing
CX - Criterium
D - EMC man
F - EMC man
G - EMC man
H - EMC man
J - EMC man
K - EMC man
L - EMC man
M - EMC man, after launch of Strada production only used as its designation (Multisport model does not exist)
N - EMC man
O - EMC man
P - EMC man (does not stand for Professional model); always placed "on the side" or "upside down
R - Professional, Reynolds 531 tubing
S - EMC man (does not stand for 753 tubes)
T - designation for frames with dropouts without Porta Catena holes (in years 1980 - 1981); later EMC man
TT - Columbus TSX "road racing" geometry or Corsa Extra TSX
TTB - Columbus TSX "century" geometry or Century TSX
WW - Columbus Strada
X - Columbus SLX/SPX in the Pro model (1984 - 1986); later the Corsa Extra SLX
XB - Corsa Extra SLX "century" geometry
Y - EMC man
. - puzzle waiting for solution
^ - EMC man
n - EMC man (this is the closest to the original)
symbol similar to the number pi - EMC man

"EMC man" calendar

80 A B G
81 A B G F
82 A B G F M
83 A B G F M O P
84 A G M P
85 A M P L
86 A M P T
87 A M T D Y J
88 A B F L D J ^ S H K
89 A F L D ^ S H
90 A B L D ^ S H N n
91 A L T D ^ S H N
92 P L D H
93 P L D H
94 A P L D H K N n
95 P D H
96 P L H pi
97 F P H pi
98 F P S H
99 F

Tubes/models

C : 1984 - 1994
CB : 1990 - 1994
CR : 1987 - 1994
CX : 1986 - 1988
M : 1987 - 1991
R : 1981 - 1986
TT : 1988 - 1994
TTB : 1989 - 1994
WW : 1992 - 1996
X : 1984 - 1995
XB : 1990 - 1997

Between the letters of the technical markings there is usually a number

It is the height of the seat tube measured centro-centro (must be in Italian) or c-c
As the standard EMC frames were built (depending on the model it varied) in the range of 47-64 cm it worked like this:

0 - 50 or 60 cm
1 - 51 or 61 cm
2 - 52 or 62 cm
3 - 53 or 63 cm
4 - 54 or 64 cm
5 - 55 cm
6 - 56 cm
7 - 47 or 57 cm
8 - 48 or 58 cm
9 - 49 or 59 cm


Statistical symbols (always on the right side of the BB cover) or serial numbers (mostly)

The marking consists of a letter and numbers (from two to four)
Next to the models you can find in the series

- Professional ( it is not a mistake, it is a lack of letter designation of the series)
numbers from the range ? - min. 1048; 1980

V - Professional
mysterious series, not included in the official numbering, there is a suspicion that these may be "training" frames built at De Rosa by the EMC team; 1980

E - Professional, Aero
Full series of 9999 frames; 1981 - 1984

Z - Professional, Aero, 3-Athlete, Corsa, Pro, Corsa Extra, Criterium
Full series; 1984 - 1986/7 ?

A - 3-Athlete, Strada, Corsa, Corsa Extra, Criterium, Century, Grand Prix
Full Series; 1986/7 ? - 1988

B - Strada, Corsa, Corsa Extra, Century, Grand Prix
Full Series 1988 - 1990

C - Strada, Corsa, Corsa Extra, Century, Corsa Extra Max
Complete series 1990 - 1991

D - Strada, Corsa, Corsa Extra, Century, Corsa Extra Max, Mx Leader
Full Series 1992 - 1993

F - Strada, Strada OS, Corsa, Corsa Thron, Corsa 01, Corsa Extra, Century, Arcobaleno, Mx Leader
Full series; 1994 - 1995 (but alu and ti frames appear)

G - Strada, Strada OS, Corsa 01, Corsa Extra, Arcobaleno, Mx Leader
Full series; 1996 - 1998 (about half of the frames built are alu and ti)

H - Strada OS, Corsa 01, Corsa Extra, Arcobaleno, Mx Leader
Full Series; 1998 - 2000 (steel frames account for 20-25% of production)

J - Strada OS, Corsa 01, Corsa Extra, Mx Leader
Full series; 2001 - 2002 (steel frames accounts for 5-10% of production)

K - Corsa 01, Corsa Extra, Mx Leader
Full series; 2002 - 2004 (minimum quantities and limited series)

L - Corsa 01, Corsa Extra, Mx Leader
Full series; 2004 - 2006 (limited series)

P - no confirmed steel frames
Full series; 2006 - 2009

Interesting fact free of charge - there were M and N series:

M - carbon frames built in Italy 2005 - 2009
N - carbon frames built in Asia 2006 - 2009

CS - frames for Capri Sonne team (Professional, Aero)

KE - frame identification for team Kelme (Professional, Aero)

ED - designation of frames for team Europ Decor (Professional, Aero)

W - the frame designation for team Winning (?) (Professional)

XX - player's initials (team Panasonic 1986 and 1987 and team Lotto 1987)

1(2,3,4) 86 or 87 - designations (team Panasonic 1986 or 1987)

Design options:

A - FD mount
FF - number hanger
G - cable inside TT (various versions: SG,GS,GL,GG)
GB - eyelets on fork/dropouts
P - pump peg
PB - second bottle holder
RO - mounting for aero grips
STI- slides on headlug
T - chainholder on seatstay
WL - slides on TT "Hour 7"

Chrome plating options for components:

A - FD mount
B - dropouts
C - dropouts + right chainstay
D - dropouts + chainstays
E - full back triangle
EO- triangle below break bridge
K - fork crown
P - forkouts
R - front lugs
V - full fork