Looks like a normal, pre-85 Merckx frame -- with a little Photoshop
trickery on the bottom bracket, you can just make out an E on the non-
drive
side. 1985 would be a Z, 86/87 an A, and subsequent pairs of years go
from there. ( http://www.cadre.org/
Merckx used that style of bottom bracket through at least 1986/87, and the seat cluster on most frames through the end of its steel line. The flat top fork seems to disappear in 1986, though the 10th anniversary frame a few years later does have one.
I see no reason at all to suspect this frame wasn't built in the Merckx factory. I do, however, see plenty of reasons to be cautious about where you get your frame refinished...
Jeremy Rauch Brooklyn, NY
On Sep 3, 2007, at 7:47 AM, Roman Stankus wrote:
> Merckx had connections with De Rosa and that frame has a number of
> typical
> details and parts typically found on De Rosas from the 80's and
> maybe into
> the 90's. The bottom bracket(the milled pattern), seat cluster, and
> fork
> crown being some. I have no idea who built the frame. Too bad about
> the bad
> paint job!
>
> Roman Stankus
> Atlanta, Ga. USA
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
>> [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Schmid
>> Sent: Monday, September 03, 2007 7:36 AM
>> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>> Subject: [CR]Eddy Merckx Molteni frame on german ebay
>>
>> Dear Listmember,
>> Some days ago i ponted out a auction of german ebay for a
>> Edyy Merckx frame in molteni colours.
>> Now the seller added this info:
>> "According to feedback from several collecrors is that frame
>> type a very special tedition, once custom-built by Ernesto
>> Colnago for Eddy Merckx, based on a Colnago Super
>> Model.thanks to the community for this information. "
>>
>> See the auction again here http://tinyurl.com/
>> 150156626529.
>> Was there such an Merckx frame built by Colnago?
>> The seller confirmed upon request that the frame was
>> powdercoated in the process of restauration. All the details
>> like braze on front changer plate, top tube brake cable
>> guides say it is 80ies frame . Does anybody her know more?
>>
>> Regards
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Michael Schmid
>> Oberammergau
>> Germany
>> Tel.: +49 8821 798790
>> Fax.:+49 8821 798791
>> mail: schmid@zunterer.com
>> http://www.zunterer.com
>>
>>
>> -