I've tried in the past to see if anyone knew how to decipher a Merckx serial number, but couldn't find out anything. I was able to get some definitive information about my Merckx track bike by writing to the workshop in Belgium. It took them a long time to get back to me, but they did in the end. So you might try that. I am not sure if they were able to help me out because of the serial number, though, or because of other identifying characteristics.
Looking at the photos of your friend's bike, I would say it is definitely not earlier than 1981. The very earliest Merckx bikes have Eddy's signature reproduced on the seat stay caps, but by 1981 they had the EM logo on the seat stays, just like your bike has. Other clues to the date: your bike has the flat fork crown, which is the earlier style -- some time in the early-to-mid '80s they switched to a sloping fork crown. And, though I am not 100% sure of this, I think the "Handmade in Belgium" stickers were not applied to the downtube until the mid-80s. My 1981 bike doesn't have one, and it looks like yours doesn't either. So I am guessing your bike is from the early 1980s, but no earlier than 1981.
Gene Balk Seattle, wA
Archive-URL: http://search.bikelist.org/
http://www.wooljersey.com/
This bike was purchased as a frameset (with headset) by a local friend, he thinks in about 1979 or 1980. The components used definitely do NOT reflect date of frame, as they were all added by my friend (including the Modolo decal on the downtube, and the shifters which I purchased from Baron, several years ago).
Can anyone confirm the model name, nail down a year of build, and name of the actual builder of these frames at that time, please?
There are two pages of pics, but I forgot to take two specific shots: front view of head tube, and underside of bottom bracket. The serial numbers are, loosely: 7 A 3545 E.
Anyone? Thanks for the help!
Ciao,
Mark Agree
Southfield MI USA