Tim123450

Hello everyone !

I would like to identify my Eddy Merckx bike but throughout forums and online discussion, I couldn't find any clue as the serial number does not match anything found.

The serial number is as following left side of the logo : A0 right side of the logo : 930

I should mention that the logo mentioned (bottom bracket) is the same as the one from post #252 on this thread. It is etched where you find the serial number as mentioned above It is also the sticker on the frame itself, like the bike from post #252.

I'm sure that the bike is genuine. It is in Domex-Weinmann Team's colors (Blue, yellow and white), full Campagnolo C-Records parts, Columbus fork and frame.

If anyone would help me I would be happy to know more about it's history. I unfortunately cannot post pictures for the moment, hence the description, I will gladly provide some when possible. I can answer questions about the bike if needed, although my bike knowledge is not the greatest.

Thanks in advance !

CyclesMakaron

A0 930 fits very well into the early markings scheme (first "letterless" series) from 1980
If your frame has the same bottom bracket model and how to combine dropouts and stays as #252, the frame was built at the end of 1980...
The Domex Weinmann painting pattern only appeared in 1988, the frame had to be repainted.

jeirvine 

Question for owners of (and experts on) early Merckx frames (1980-1983): what's the tire clearance like? Could one run 28s? I've been keeping my eye out for a ~62cm, old-logo, flat crown specimen, but am wondering if the tire clearance is more like '70s loose or '80s tight?
Thanks,
-J

rccardr 

It...depends. I ran 28’s on an 88-ish Corsa Extra with a flat crown fork but my 85 Pro SLX with a sloper is limited to 25’s.
Most of the early 80’s ones I’ve had my hands on are maxed out at 25’s as well.

Spaghetti Legs 

I am working my way through this thread and came upon this post. Maybe my own bike can help decipher. This is the steerer from my 1985-ish

55 cm Professional, Reynolds 753. Top line matches serial # on frame
Professional Reynolds 753 in Kelme colors (Thank you CM, for your other thread in which I learned of the early Kelme colors!). I wonder if the "Go" is actually a number - 60, as the same position looks like 31 on mine.

CyclesMakaron

100% digit - thank you
I don't know how long the codes were used, I'm not even sure if it was color codes (there would be a lot of them!) or e.g. next batches of built frames (more data is needed - as usual)
It's nice to see the 55/753...

Fivethumbs

Thanks for posting that info. Mine does look more like numbers than letters. At the time I was looking for a two letter paint code and did not expect to see two numbers there. It would be nice to know what they mean.

bikemike73 

Thank you Jacek for all your efforts and help with our EM bikes !!!

It is all greatly appreciated.

I am still trying to figure out how to determine the year. You have confirmed mine is a 1990 and not a 1985 and I thank you.

W 5TTB and C 1649
I know it's a 55 and TSX Columbus tubing and made in the summer of 1990
This I learned from CM..Jacek !!!
And what, if any....is the difference between a Century .....and a Century Geo ??

Sorry to be a bother, but my curiosity and ocd mix is getting the better of me

Thank you again

CyclesMakaron

The Century model was to introduce the "century geo" into EMC
Century was built between 1988 and 1994, first from Reynolds 653 tubes, then from Columbus TSX; in 1995 it was replaced by the Arcobaleno model.
The 'century geo' was gradually being replaced by new models of EMC frames:
- 1990 Corsa Extra Max
- 1991 Corsa Extra and Corsa (at the same time "road racing geo" was still used)
- 1992 Mx Leader
- 1994 Titane EM, Corsa Thron
- 1995 Corsa 01, Arcobaleno, Strada OS, also alu frames.
"century geo" was used until 2003, when some modifications were made (that is why the names Team SC 3, Millennium 3 appear)

bikemike73 

All great information !!
thank you

What would 2 on one side and E with 4367 below
color is yellow.

Again....all your knowledge is greatly appreciated

CyclesMakaron

Professional model
2 = 52 cm seat tube (c-c)
E4367 = serial number, frame built in 1982
The frame has been repainted, some stickers are inappropriate

bikemike73 

Thank you again CM ( Jacek ) !!!!

It really is greatly appreciated

allepunta

Hi everyone,
new in this forum, I found a mxl in my size
The engraving in the BB
P F6459
I was told the frame was brought from Belgium. not an expert but I have never seen this paint scheme.
on the top tube says "Geant Bruno"
any idea?

CyclesMakaron

P F6459 = 1995
for the paintwork pattern please refer to the EMC 1995 and 1996 catalogues
Bruno Geant - first proud owner of this bike (not widely known)

styggno1

I presume the frame to be really large considering the first owners name. Otherwise it would/could be ironic...

géant
nom

1. 1.
   Personne dont la taille dépasse anormalement la moyenne (gigantisme).
   • Les Géants de la mythologie
     nés de la Terre (Gaïa) et du Ciel (Ouranos).
   • À pas de géant
     très rapidement.
   • Les géants de l'automobile, du textile
     entreprises les plus importantes dans le domaine.
2. 2.
   Génie, héros, surhomme.
   Les géants de l'art, du sport.

adjectif

1. 1.
   Dont la taille dépasse de beaucoup la moyenne.
   Tortue géante.
   h
   Liknande:
   colossal

énorme

• gigantesque
• 2.
  Étoile géante
  de grand rayon, peu dense, très lumineuse.

allepunta

that is the irony of it, it is a 53 cm...

allepunta

here it is, P F6459

messy11

greetings all

I'm in the hunt of EM corsa extra, and I found this corsa extra with 90s production colorway (most likely). wanna make sure the frame is Corsa Extra and the tubing is Columbus SLX. The frame also has headtube cable guide. Greatly appreciate if anyone can help decipher the bb shell code, its L C9175 (pictures attached - error cant upload pic yet ).

thanks in advance!

CyclesMakaron

Bruno Geant - VLP or VLB scheme painting (94-97)
L C9175 - end of 1991
There should be additional markings around L, check steering tube (card?)

Paul J

I've been meaning to put this up here to see what the date and info is. I've had this since 2001 when I purchased it from a fellow in South Carolina. Unfortunately it had been used on a trainer and sweat accumulated around the top tube pump and created a significant amount of rust and bubbling in the pain. Off to hot tubes for paint. I've not been a fan of chrome so had the frame fully painted covering the chrome. This is a daily rider so is showing chips and scratches but rides like a million dollars.

CyclesMakaron

Corsa Extra SLX/SPX 1990

messy11

thank you for your response. Apologies, I think I made a typo previously, it should be C9715.

few images in spoiler:

CyclesMakaron

C9715 - that changes things a bit
This is a team frame built in late 1991 for Telekom (for 1992 season), rebuilt and repainted ~94/95 (PS paint scheme - 1996 catalog)
2p.chroom - chrome paint scheme
later - frame repainted in EMC

messy11

haha yes, I guess I was too excited when typing the serial number.

so is it corsa extra? SLX / TSX tubing?

CyclesMakaron

Corsa Extra or Century
SLX, TSX or Reynolds 753
The team frame does not have full technical markings
Are there "riflings" inside the tubes? (steering tube and all tubes visible through the BB cover) - if so: SLX or TSX; if not: R753
The distinction between SLX and TSX is completely crazy - but it can be done...