Decoding of Eddy Merckx frames
11-01-20, 10:03 PM
#301
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H2M A9786 - early Strada model (Columbus Cromor), frame built in mid 1988
Check the steering tube - the original paint should remain on it (even after repainting); if the original sheet of paper glued to the steering tube has been preserved, you can read the painting code from it.
Check the steering tube - the original paint should remain on it (even after repainting); if the original sheet of paper glued to the steering tube has been preserved, you can read the painting code from it.
11-03-20, 03:38 PM
#302
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Bikes: 1973 Raleigh Super Course - 1981 Velo Sport Criterium - c.1988 Colnago Master Piu - 1991 Merlin Road - 1991 Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra - 1995 Pinarello Cromovan - c.1999 Lemond Maillot Jaune Team Saturn - 2002 Colnago C-40 - Also modern stuff
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Hi,
I have seen this frame L - 8 (or 6?)X - C6440. So if I followed correctly, it should be a Corsa Extra in SLX made somewhere in 1990... Am I right
? Also, the seller claims that the seat tube is 56ct. I asked him to re-confirm the measurements.
Thanks for letting me know if I'm right or wrong.
edits: finally, the guy got back to me. it’s a 5. Top tube is 55 cc.
I have seen this frame L - 8 (or 6?)X - C6440. So if I followed correctly, it should be a Corsa Extra in SLX made somewhere in 1990... Am I right
? Also, the seller claims that the seat tube is 56ct. I asked him to re-confirm the measurements.Thanks for letting me know if I'm right or wrong.
edits: finally, the guy got back to me. it’s a 5. Top tube is 55 cc.
Last edited by fraba; 11-03-20 at 05:36 PM. Reason: Addition
11-04-20, 01:34 AM
#304
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Indeed, I have sold several EMC frames this year, some of them unpainted, two of them without forks... (I am limiting my collection to the necessary minimum - currently 1 bike and 7 frames)
Perhaps you are referring to my fellow countryman, who puts up a raw frame without forks from the 2008/2009 stock sale (there are always a few on ebay and they are always poorly described, but they are authentic).
Perhaps you are referring to my fellow countryman, who puts up a raw frame without forks from the 2008/2009 stock sale (there are always a few on ebay and they are always poorly described, but they are authentic).
11-04-20, 10:06 AM
#305
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Bikes: 1973 Raleigh Super Course - 1981 Velo Sport Criterium - c.1988 Colnago Master Piu - 1991 Merlin Road - 1991 Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra - 1995 Pinarello Cromovan - c.1999 Lemond Maillot Jaune Team Saturn - 2002 Colnago C-40 - Also modern stuff
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Thanks @CyclesMakaron for sharing all that knowledge about EMB! You mentioned that it was repainted after 1993 in VLB pattern. I have been searching but... not clue what VLB means! Sorry for my ignorance 
11-04-20, 10:50 AM
#306
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merziac - Sorry, my sclerosis easily beat my automatic translator...
fraba - VL - is one of the painting patterns introduced in 1994 (used for the first time on the Vlaanderen group), B = Blue, the main color
fraba - VL - is one of the painting patterns introduced in 1994 (used for the first time on the Vlaanderen group), B = Blue, the main color
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11-04-20, 04:21 PM
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11-05-20, 12:52 AM
#309
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T - type of painting scheme
B = blue, R = red
...this code is easy, but you'll find difficult puzzles...
The black color is mostly Z, but sometimes N... and exceptionally B
it looks like it was a lot of fun to set up codes in EMC
B = blue, R = red
...this code is easy, but you'll find difficult puzzles...
The black color is mostly Z, but sometimes N... and exceptionally B
it looks like it was a lot of fun to set up codes in EMC
11-07-20, 01:01 AM
#310
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What did you ever find out about your frame? Mine has puzzled me SO bad. Columbus sticker and BB stamps say TSX tubing. That would be a Century. Top tube decal says Corsa Extra. And it seems to be a legit decal. Under the clear coat. Then again, someone could upbadge and then coat it. Here is mine, same team col
ors as yours
ors as yours
11-07-20, 01:30 AM
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Why can't it be a Corsa Extra in TSX? I believe others are known of. What are the stampings, so Jacek can enlighten us fully?
11-07-20, 08:01 AM
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I never thought about it like that. The chart I had looked at made it sound like the Corsa Extra was a SLX frame, and any frame made from TSX was a Century. It would explain a lot if that was the case!
11-07-20, 07:49 PM
#313
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Help with Merckx frame/possible vintage Molteni
What is the run down on this bike? I know it heavily favors the 1974 Molteni bike, but is this worth buying, or is it just a department store knockoff? I just do not know enough about the 70's stuff to make any sort of call on it. Thanks!
11-08-20, 12:22 AM
#314
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Marking on BB cover:
TT = Corsa Extra TSX
TTB = Century TSX
Big Telekom - 90/91
Orange Molteni is produced by the British Falcon and does not look like a valuable model.
TT = Corsa Extra TSX
TTB = Century TSX
Big Telekom - 90/91
Orange Molteni is produced by the British Falcon and does not look like a valuable model.
11-10-20, 04:26 AM
#315
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As this comes up regularly - here is why identifying/pin pointing a Corsa Extra might be a bit difficult sometimes. CyclesMacaron doing it wonderfully considering! This is from the 1992 catalog - with my graphic comments.
11-10-20, 07:18 AM
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Thanks for the help, much appreciated!
11-11-20, 02:27 AM
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EMC had the best frame marking system - I accidentally chose the easiest job
You have to be careful with EMC catalogs - a few golden rules on the example from 1992:
- the catalog is printed (or approved) ~September of the previous year (i.e. the 1992 catalog was created in September 1991)
- the catalog does not show all the models produced at that time (e.g. no Century and Strada)
- the catalog does not show all painting patterns
- catalogs were created for specific markets (American GITA catalogs are different from "rest of the world")
- because after September 1991 there will be new models (Mx Leader and Carbon Donnay) and painting patterns available in 1992 - confusion is guaranteed. More detailed information about the year 1992 is available... from the 1993 catalog
- The "possible supplements" have changed and did not always apply to all models; the fact that their patterns have changed is also worth remembering...
- Sometimes printing errors appear in catalogs and... other errors (we are only human)
You have to be careful with EMC catalogs - a few golden rules on the example from 1992:
- the catalog is printed (or approved) ~September of the previous year (i.e. the 1992 catalog was created in September 1991)
- the catalog does not show all the models produced at that time (e.g. no Century and Strada)
- the catalog does not show all painting patterns
- catalogs were created for specific markets (American GITA catalogs are different from "rest of the world")
- because after September 1991 there will be new models (Mx Leader and Carbon Donnay) and painting patterns available in 1992 - confusion is guaranteed. More detailed information about the year 1992 is available... from the 1993 catalog
- The "possible supplements" have changed and did not always apply to all models; the fact that their patterns have changed is also worth remembering...
- Sometimes printing errors appear in catalogs and... other errors (we are only human)
11-12-20, 02:39 AM
#318
Senior Member
Decided to give the Century another try, had to replace the headset so thought I'd install a Time fork to see if I could remove the sluggish feel I perceived with the Merckx fork.
Opologies for the bar tape, it was the only one I had left and I didn't think it would look this bad.
Opologies for the bar tape, it was the only one I had left and I didn't think it would look this bad.
11-14-20, 05:49 AM
#320
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So I have a little time to build a wheel set this weekend.
Silver Records on silver Reflex rims or Black Records on Nemesis rims?
Silver Records on silver Reflex rims or Black Records on Nemesis rims?
11-14-20, 10:30 AM
#321
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L - employee Z5000-D9999
7 X - 47cm and Columbus SLX/Corsa Extra
D - 1992-93
4855 - production number
Hard to believe so many were made, but then again, there are still a lot out there.
Merry Christmas to my girl.
The color scheme is pictured in the 1990 catalog. Also pictured with a team member of Team Weinmann after the Domex-Weinmann split, but all the Team Weinmann colors seem to have the lime green or pink seat stay/bottom bracket treatment. The “points” colors seemed to have changed a lot in that era.
7 X - 47cm and Columbus SLX/Corsa Extra
D - 1992-93
4855 - production number
Hard to believe so many were made, but then again, there are still a lot out there.
Merry Christmas to my girl.
The color scheme is pictured in the 1990 catalog. Also pictured with a team member of Team Weinmann after the Domex-Weinmann split, but all the Team Weinmann colors seem to have the lime green or pink seat stay/bottom bracket treatment. The “points” colors seemed to have changed a lot in that era.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 11-14-20 at 10:48 AM.
11-14-20, 03:10 PM
#322
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L7X D4855 - Corsa Extra SLX built in October 1992
1989 Domex - Weinmann (frame 3 colors, "white at the bottom")
1990 Weinmann - SMM Uster (your frame)
1991 Weinmann - EVS (later - Eddy Merckx) (frame 3 colors, "white inside")
It was one team, sometimes the sponsors changed.
Everything is ok in your frame, I'm only surprised by the "belgium handmade stripe" - since spring 1992 the "12 stars" sticker was available... and a painting pattern from 1990, not offered at the time for a year...
1989 Domex - Weinmann (frame 3 colors, "white at the bottom")
1990 Weinmann - SMM Uster (your frame)
1991 Weinmann - EVS (later - Eddy Merckx) (frame 3 colors, "white inside")
It was one team, sometimes the sponsors changed.
Everything is ok in your frame, I'm only surprised by the "belgium handmade stripe" - since spring 1992 the "12 stars" sticker was available... and a painting pattern from 1990, not offered at the time for a year...
11-14-20, 05:37 PM
#323
Senior Member
Here is the serial number of my 61cm Corsa Extra of Columbus SLX. Can anyone answer whether it is an '89 or '90? I recently bought is as a frame/fork.
Left (drive side)
F
1X
Right (non-drive side)
B
5101
Left (drive side)
F
1X
Right (non-drive side)
B
5101
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11-16-20, 05:09 PM
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Hi Jacek, I'm posting this for a guy in my city who's not a member here L 7CB D3726
I thought C implies Corsa, but it's stickered as Corsa Extra. Bottom bracket is Italian, and it has a number hanger.
As always, thanks in advance for your input, Sean
I thought C implies Corsa, but it's stickered as Corsa Extra. Bottom bracket is Italian, and it has a number hanger.
As always, thanks in advance for your input, Sean