Does anyone know the Pantone code for Molteni Orange?

We should almost have a sticky for various color matches.

I agree, that might be useful. I'd just point out that the typical PMS chips that most of us are familiar with are those that are used to mix printing inks, and Pantone even provides *close matches* to approximate them using CMYK (4-color process) builds, as they would appear on coated and uncoated stock (paper). But Pantone also makes chips for *paint* and these are far less well-known or used outside of the interior design world, but would be more appropriate for spec'ing...paint. In either case, it will probably require somebody with a good eye for color to just make a visual match anyway.

I'm currently having a Molteni paint job done and the painter mentioned to me that there's a PPG color that matches "Molteni" orange perfectly.

I'll attempt to get a code for you. I think I've also seen a couple threads concerning matching the color somewhere on the forums.

KRhea

Thanks, that would be cool. My Falcon was originally Molteni Orange but was crudely repainted in more of an Orange-Red. I'm trying to figure out what I should do. It has some, but not all, of the Merckx decals which are $45 a set. I don't think the frame is worth a very expensive paint job but I hesitate to just strip off the decals and rattle can it unless I can get the color pretty close.

Hey Reverborama,

I had a Falcon Olympic Sprint that I was going to re-finish as a Falcon Eddy Merckx but I ended up passing along the frame & fork to someone who really needed a beater/commuter. I had bought a full set of Eddy Merckx decals from Bob Freeman at Elliot Bay to put on the bike but I held onto them when I let the bike go. In the spirit of so many on this forum who freely give of themselves and "pay it forward" I would be happy to send you the decals for your "Eddy".

PM me your address and I will dig them out of storage.

Thanks! PM sent!

I've got a few possibilities:

Imron 60659U

RAL 2004

The current hot tip is:
PPG global BC #61646


As I chase these down, if I find they are incorrect, I will edit them out of the post.

Well, I've given up on the quest. I've been unable to find an original Molteni Orange bike locally and I need to keep costs from spiralling out of control on this project. If I use a stock color from the powder coater, this is affordable. If I go with a custom color, it becomes more than the bike is worth. I've determined that PFS-500-S8, a color carried by the powder coater, is fairly close to RAL 2004 which a couple of sites list as a good match. I have not been able to see the actual RAL 2004 in person (or Imron 60659U OR PPG global BC #61646 for that matter). Cross referencing these color systems has proven to be much harder than I anticipated. PFS-500-S8 looks kind of like the pictures of Orange Merckx bikes I find on the InterWeb.

Since I'd rather ride the bike and keep costs down, I've elected to powder coat it with PFS-500-S8. This is listed as "Safety Orange" but it doesn't look anything like "dayglo" or "blaze." By itself, the bike should pass muster but will probably be a shade or two off next to an original -- and who knows how that original might have faded? Besides, since it came as a frame and fork, I don't have any original components.

If I do encounter an original and can compare it to mine, I'll report back on this thread.

Paint color referenced on a computer monitor, taken with a digital camera, probably an uncalibrated monitor, even more difficult on a LCD screen is dangerous if you want a match. The PPG or Imron colors are not that hard to reference, an auto color house (sell paint to bodyshops) should have one or the other or both in a book of samples.

All that said, "Merckx" bikes were made by Kessels, Colnago and DeRosa, and replicated by Eddy Merckx Bikes later, lots of variations are "correct", choose your builder first.

I gave up and just painted it orange. I expect a correct Molteni Orange Merckx will present itself shortly now that I've taken the plunge.

Hello, I just got one of these Falcon Merckx with the Molenti paint and the heart on the fork like yours so think it's the exact same frame but was wondering what the value of this frame is? Thanks!

There is a valuation inquiry forum.
Falcon made an almost entire line up of Merckx branded bikes, from the very basic to a top tier bike.
Unfortunately, they used the stock Falcon geometry.

I am not sure this is true but Eddy may have got this Colour from Holdsworth. The Team Professionals that is. The Holdsworth match was Porche Signal Orange.

The Molteni orange was a bit more subdued than Holdsworth or Porsche Signal , to me. A hint of "pumpkin" in it.

There were two versions of the Holdsworth Orange. The Factory Orange and the Putney Shop Orange. One was lighter my memory fades on which one was which.

I agree BF should sticky a paint code match thread for vintage bikes.

Over on the Paceline forum some time ago there was a thread on Molteni Orange. Here: Molteni Orange Question - The Paceline Forum

Just to confuse matters further, there was a mid-70's Colnago orange that was somewhat pearlescent, and not at all Molteni orange. If anyone has info on a match for that, I'd be most appreciative.

Of course, it can be a fool's errand trying it on a computer monitor, but I'm leaning toward PMS 151
PMS Color Chart

Is there any difference between Molteni orange and the shade of orange that was used on Motobecane Team Champions?

The Eddy Merckx orange as used by him while with Molteni may have had a few correct colors.
Different for the bikes made by Kessels, Colnago and DeRosa.
For a Kessels take, Handlebar Coffee Company in Santa Barbara Ca has one hanging from the ceiling at eye level. Call it an excuse to visit.

Al Wanta, painter of some reknown, would know it.

colour code 2-464-171
Molteni used Lancia's Colour, This is confirmed to be the only correct Colourmix