[CR] Identifying a Merckx frame

(Example: Events:Eroica)

From: <BobHoveyGa@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 10:08:26 EST
Subject: [CR] Identifying a Merckx frame
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


In a message dated 1/8/06 1:29:58 PM, classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org

writes:


> Not likely that your frame is earlier than 1980, which is when Merckx
> set up his operation and started cranking out frames (not counting the
> earlier Merckx "branded" frames by Falcon and others).  There has always
> been some speculation that there were some late 70's De Rosa-built
> Merckx frames (De Rosa helped Merckx set up the operation), but nothing
> definitive.  I don't recall seeing the sloping crowns until after the
> first couple of years, and then both types were used for quite a while.
> It's most likely your frame is early to mid 80's.
>
> I don't think that anyone has figured out the Merckx numbering system.
> I'm looking at my '89 Merckx Grand Prix frame and the numbers/letters
> are S-2079-B in the sequence you describe.
>
> Wayne Bingham
> Lovettsville VA
>
>

I have a photo of a Merckx display (not sure if it is in a bike shop or at a

show) in a 1980 bike catalog... it shows the "new" Eddy Merckx bike and "Kessels" is a prominent part of the Merckx Cycles logo on the wall. I kno w Kessels built some of Eddy's race bikes but I had no Idea they had any part in his bike building venture after he retired... the only name I ever heard anythin g about was DeRosa. Does anyone have more info on this?

Bob Hovey
Columbus, GA