Difficulty identifying [possible Merckx] frame
 

I just got this used from a local bike shop and I think it might be a Merckx.
It's been painted and I have no idea where to start verifying the model besides the serial number... which only works if I'm sure of the manufacturer (which I'm not). The serial number is 16170 on the bottom of the bottom bracket, no letters in there anywhere...

It has rear Campagnolo-marked drop-outs similar to an early Merckx and also holds a Campagnolo headset and older caged-bearing bottom bracket.
There are no braze-ons anywhere except for the derailleur hanger... not even for water bottles. There are a few clamps holding a Campagnolo shifter mount onto the down tube and a smaller clamp for holding the rear derailleur cable housing.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...b/forklugs.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...owntubelug.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b196/smartb0mb/BB.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../rearstays.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...eattubelug.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...rstaywidth.jpg

I'm just hoping someone here could help me identify this thing.

Most Merckxs had pantographing. Definitely a nice frame, but I highly doubt it's a Merckx.

Don't think the serial fits the Merckx pattern.

Not a Merckx.

and the Campy BB shows 1.37" x 24tpi, so it's an English BB, another thing not found on a Merckx. looks pretty nice whatever it is...I suspect that the chrome forks had paint on the blades seeing as how roughened they are, probably just had a chromed crown.

So... any idea what it is?

My curiosity is definitely piqued.

I'd concentrate on the seat stay cap design, which looks like ones on Guerciottis -- the squared-off top end is unusual, However, the lug points look a bit longer than on G. frames I've seen, unless it's early, which the fork crown and lack of braze-ons suggest anyway.

Any idea about the tubeset (might be marking on the steerer tube when you disassemble). And what does it weigh with BB, clamps, headset loose parts and anything else you can get off it removed?

but that English BB would rule out a Guerciotti as well as most anything Italian...likewise French. To my eye the seatstay cap treatment looks "British", but not anybody specific. I'd venture a guess (pure speculation) that the main frame is 531 and that the fork might be a Columbus replacement: is there any rifling in the steerer? Here's my thinking: the long Campy DOs and lack of *any* braze-ons, the 126 spacing (original or spread from 120?) and the simple brake bridge for nutted rear brake say it's from, maybe, the mid-70s. Yet that fork does not have Reynolds blades (it's likely Columbus) and has a Cinelli-like crown though it too is drilled for nutted brakes that says late '70s to very early '80s. It's entirely chromed but the frame has none except for the dropouts. I'm prepared to be wrong...and I sure can't provide a name for it.

I've taken apart the fork and the underside of the Campagnolo headset says:
1"x24 TPI England

There are no markings of any other sort on the steerer tube... but here's an interesting note: the fork is chromed all the way up to the middle of the steerer tube.
The condition of the fork blades is a little rougher and there is a bit of paint in the cracks between the lugs and the fork blades. This leads me to conclude that the fork was chromed for the sake of the lugs and then painted over.

I talked to the man that sold me the frame and fork... he told me it's an early Falcon Merckx and he ordered it a loooong time ago for a bicycle shop dealer across town. I'll be in contact with this guy shortly and I'll let you know what I learn.

I really don't care about the monetary value of the frame, fork, whatever... I just want to know about it's history and what the hell to call it. In the mean-time I'm learning a lot about my local bike dealers too.

Thanks for the help so far.

Could very well be one of the better Falcon's.

Super Comp Model 102 circa 1974?

"special long point lugs...forks oval pattern Italian style...chrome plated crown and fork tips..."

http://www.bikebrothers.co.uk/falcon...ge01_800_s.jpg


stan
.

I'm fairly certain that was probably common. I'm looking at a chromed Schwinn fork for a tall Continental right now and the chroming goes about a third of the way up the steerer tube.

I'd go along with that. Nice find!

edit: It would have been nice of the OP to include all the info he had from the get go, instead of playing 20 questions. I am a curmudgeon.

I just talked to the original owner, turns out I'm the fourth owner... the third owner is off treasure hunting in the Atlantic right now.

Anyhow, it was bought in 1977 as a new frame, he had no clue what model number, style, manufacture year, any of that shiz. It said Eddie Merckx on the side and it was orange with a Reynolds 531 sticker on it... that's all he remembers.

He does have an old picture around somewhere of him on it in the late 70's... gonna try and get a photo scan.
For this information, leading to the apprehension and conviction of a really nice frame... I have to pay a six-pack of anything but Miller Light.

edited to add: Old Fat Guy, sorry about the quiz... didn't know exactly where or what to include. I thought I added enough pictures of pertinent parts.
Thanks for the help.

It would make much more sense as a Falcon Merckx. Cool frame, and it would be sorta fun to get it re-sprayed in Molteni Orange with some new decals.

ah....a Falcon, then, from maybe 1977. That makes sense: it's British, 531 but has "Italian Pattern oval fork blades", that explains why it looked like a Columbus fork. It's even a "Merckx", at least in name.;)

I was considering re-decorating it with upside-down decals... then thought better of it.

It would be funny though.:thumb:

You could have some 'fun' with it, like a seller did in a recent auction....I saved the pics... I'd stick on a decent 5 speed Suntour/Sugino group and call it a day.

John 11:35 Jesus wept.

it's all fun and games...'till somebody loses an EYE!
(on those handlebar...things)

my best guess is they're originally from a rotortiller, or something that was not a bicycle..

(and sorry for the thread hijack...:))

Or weaves into traffic akin to someone on a beach cruiser.

-Kurt

My family's bike shops sold Falcons and Merckx-Falcons during the 70s. This is a Falcon made Merckx frame we have had since new. The serial number is 16166. Sorry about the poor pictures. The frame is attached to the wall along with a signed photo of Eddy. I met Merckx at a bike show in New York. The lug work on my frame looks like the OPs frame.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/...e042d144_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/...bd27b6c5_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/...bdf815f2_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/...13183edd_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/...155c1ea9_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/...c7c40fb6_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2315/...d02f70c0_b.jpg

Yeah, it sure does.

Wow! Serial numbers are the same format and within four of each other... Twins!
You have any more information on that thing?