CyclesMakaron

"... such a truth is unnecessary to anyone ..." The "Professional" model did not exist - this terrifying truth should finally reach everyone. Okay, but then what did EMC produce for almost 7 years and what everyone calls "Professional"? He produced the "Eddy Merckx" bicycle / frame ... and there was nothing more in that name. Where did "Professional" come from then? The reasons are at least 3: 1) hastily drawn the conclusion from 1981 (white) catalog, where there is a signature "Professional road model" - this is not the name of the model, it is the level of design, performance and purpose of this wonder. In case of doubt: the same signature in the flemish version - "Weg - beroepstype": anyone who finds the word "Professional" there can be considered extremely observant ... 2) the existing De Rosa Professional model - the name could have been "moved" for an EM bike (after all, from whom to borrow?) 3) the need for faultless identification (people like when something has a specific name), especially since 1984: then EMC introduced the 3-Athlete model, then the next (Pro SLX / 753, Corsa , Criterium) - with the name "Professional" it was easier to live. ... Germans often use "Mexico" instead of "Professional" - also nicely ... t.b.c.

clydesdale65 

Thank you for the clarification! Your knowledge of serial numbers and models is very impressive, and I appreciate it. (I should post pictures of my six Eddy Merckx bottom brackets, and maybe you can tell me what year they were made. Right now, I'm just guessing.)

nesteel 

Your qualifications are what exactly?

CyclesMakaron

A - prototypes and early version:

- SSC: flat or "signature"
- BB cover: "=" ( Romani like ) or "Eddy Merckx" ( Cinelli like )
- lugs: long

B - intermediate version:

-SSC: A or "EM logo"
-BB cover: A or MI 6 recess ( MI - Microfusione Italiana )
-lugs: A or short

A/B

-dropouts "de Rosa like" with Porta Catena holes
-flat fork crowns with Eddy/Merckx
-3 guides on top tube
-guides over BB cover
-brake bridge Gipiemme "cube"
-chain bridge - always

C - classic version:

-SSC: "EM logo" ( to 1986 )
-BB cover MI 6, guides over BB cover
-lugs: short ( to 1986 )
-dropouts A/B or normal Campagnolo, PC sometimes
-rest unchanged
t.b.c.

CyclesMakaron

ok, if I can help - I will try

CyclesMakaron

I really do not know what qualifications are necessary to collect information, read and view photos. I collected materials less than 2 years (from the time I noticed that the only recognized source of information - cadreorg - contains a lot of inaccuracies), I have an archive with over 500 described EM frames, catalogs, books, magazines, access to the net and YT videos - before I knew it, I became an expert Such knowledge is enough to assess that 75% of descriptions on eBay and bicycle stores contain (sometimes gigantic) errors; all you have to do is say that the frame must have been repainted; it's enough to see that someone using stickers tries to convert an average bike into a team bike - it must be enough for me. I learn from everyone - I share knowledge with everyone. Thank you, best regards - J

CyclesMakaron

D - modified version, classic like, but:

-BB cover MI 6, guides under BB
- FD no-clamps appears ( first in Aero* )
- slope fork crown appears ( first in Aero*)
- Porta Catena holes disappears

E - "Team Issue" version = C, but:

-unusual, old team "camo": Molteni, Faema, C&A
-unusual stickers
- short series, ~E9550

F - last version:

- BB cover MI 4, guides under BB
- chain bridge disappear ( like in Pro SLX )
- "break link inside top tube" option appears
- rest like D
t.b.c.

Lascauxcaveman 

Whew! I'm glad I ride a Corsa Extra - sez so right on the top tube. No sure i could live with the uncertainty, otherwise

CyclesMakaron

Hi! the sticker changes very easily - what else do you base your confidence on? beautiful chrome - Best Regards - Jacek

CyclesMakaron

STICKERS:

- Eddy Merckx x 2 on down tube ( on 1983 on a white background - sometimes )
- BELGIUM HANDMADE + 2 Belgium flags on down tube ( topfront )
- logo EM with colors of Belgium and World Champion ( after 1981 on a white background ) on head tube and seat tube
- Columbus or Reynolds 531 on seat tube ( on fork: only team bike )
- "yellow France" and "pink Italy" on World Champion stripes + MEXICO km 49 431 ( ~ Z3500 inscription disappears ) x 2
- for Team Issue version "historical" stickers have been prepared.

RobbieTunes

Hmm. I guess I'll call mine an '85 Amateur, then.
I was told it was a Professional, but I have no actual idea.

I had a DeRosa Professional, and a Corsa Extra, ...at the same time.
Then I realized by riding them that they were pretty much the same bike.
So I sold them both...………….you know, to spite my face.



I believe whatever I read on the internet. All the experts are there.

Now, I'm going to get a beer.

Currently in the lineup:
-Eddy Merckx x2 on down tube
-BELGIUM HANDMADE + 2 Belgium flags just above shifters on down tube
-logo EM with colors of Belgium and World Champion on head tube and seat tube
-yellow Frances flanking world champion stripes on ST + MEXICO km 49 431
-pink Italys flanking world champion stripes on ST + MEXICO km 49 431
-world champion stripes on R chain stay where chrome begins
-EM seat stay pantos, fork crown pantos
-"eyebrow" pantos on fork crown lugs
-no decals on fork blades
-Columbus tubing decal at top of seat tube
-"full name" panto stem, seatpost, big chain ring, and brake levers
-"EM" panto and Belgian flag panto on shift levers
-"full name" in gold on white leather pedal straps
-world champion stripes on Super Record hubs
-Super Record


It is a little gaudy. Maybe I should sell it.

RobbieTunes

Yes, peace of mind in this uncertain age is a wonderful thing.

With all the ignorance going around, not sure I can stand all this bliss.

CyclesMakaron

Hi! if you want me to help, clear pictures will suffice: BB cover with factory markings, dropouts, seat stay lug, break bridge, fork crown. Your colorful description can not be faulted, but the pictures will make the task easier best regards - Jacek

RobbieTunes

I'm way too embarrassed to send pics until I get it cleaned up.

CyclesMakaron

They do not have to be clean, it's enough to be readable
...is this red EM? all I have to do is get 4 digits of the series and info about the chain bridge (whether or not)....you can always try it yourself: Decoding of Eddy Merckx frames.
Best Regards - Jacek

RobbieTunes

Red-yes.
Chain stay bridge-no

Only numbers are on BB:
Left...……………………………..Right
……………………………………...Z
5...………………………………….979
A

CyclesMakaron

see: Decoding... A - employee EM cycles, 5 = 55 cm seat tube, Z979 = autumn 1984 - Jacek

RobbieTunes

Well, at least I sort of understood that:

"A" is for an employee who prepped the frame.

"5" is for the 55cm seat tube.

"Z" not quite sure
"979" not quite sure

but I'll definitely take your word for it, as autumn 1984, Jacek.

I was surprised to see my bike turn up on the web, linked from the earlier chart/info. I know it's been through at least one other owner before it got here.

Thanks.

CyclesMakaron

OK: Z - designation of the next production series, in which 9999 frames were produced.
It worked like this - the E series ends: ...E9997, E9998, E9999, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4... - and this is how the Z series starts - ... it ends: Z9997, Z9998, Z9999, A0001, A0002, A0003 , A0004... - and this is how the next series A begins and the next series B, C, D, F ...

Millfield Velo

Very well explained, Jacek. I’ve respected your forensic approach to this subject, many thanks as always 👍

RobbieTunes

Forgive my ignorance, but I was a Marine and majored in English, and given both handicaps, I can't connect Z 979 with a month or year.

Z is the production series, and it's the 979th one?

If so, where does it say Z = autumn 1984?

CyclesMakaron

Hi! your frame is a 979 piece built in the Z series: the previous one had the designation Z978, the next - the Z980. I did not write Z = autumn 1984, I wrote Z979 = autumn 1984. The entire Z series was produced from the summer of 1984 to the autumn of 1986. There is no direct systemic connection of signs to a particular month of the year. Thank you for allowing me to more accurately present the system of markings. Regards - Jacek

DiabloScott

My bike is listed on Cadre, and it looks all correct, but I bought it new so there wasn't any question.




Odd that they would include an employee ID in the serial number - some kind of quality control but usually that goes with travelling papers. Serial numbers seem to have two purposes: 1 - ID for insurance, police report, etc. 2 - recalls from the manufacturer. Funky formats like EM was using make the first purpose hard to input - Cadre lists my bike as DC5-1483-C, but I'm not sure how I would list it in a legal document, and I'm not sure the cops would identify it if it were found.

CyclesMakaron

Hi! the serial number is just the markings on the right: series (letter) and another copy in the series (these marks are unique) - for your frame: C series, copy in series 1483 (end of 1990 / beginning 1991 - sorry I can not be more precise); markings on the left side: D - EMC employee (yes, quality control), 5 - 55 cm seat tube, C - Corsa model, no R - Columbus SL / SP (these markings can of course be repeated). Cadre does not answer many questions, and for a few important answers gives confusing answers, see: Decoding of Eddy Merckx frames; Best regards - Jacek

RobbieTunes

That's what I was looking for. Thanks, Jacek.