New (to me) Merckx
 

Like many of us here, I spend some time on the web looking for bikes to add to my collection. I found this 1987 Merckx SLX on the Milwaukee CL listed as a 52 cm but knew it was a mistake. I contacted the seller, about my age, had him take some measurements and voila, it's my size, 54 with a 54.5 TT ;) I asked @CyclesMakaron to look over the pictures and he gave me a resounding "It looks great!" so I arranged to meet the seller yesterday. The bike, as pictured, has a set of older Record hubs laced to a pair of Matrix rims; he also had the Croce d'Aune hub wheels laced up to Campy tubular rims to make the Croce d'Aune gruppo complete.

We agreed on a price, I loaded it in the truck and drove home to Ohio. This is one of the nicest examples I've seen in a while and am likely to leave it as is, despite my penchant for putting modern Campy on all my bikes; it's only original once. Now all I have to do is wait for Bartali or Coppi's 200th birthdays and I can bring home an award ;)

A big thanks to Jacek for the assist, his expertise on Merckx's is interesting and in this case extremely helpful. One question, when did EM begin using the Corsa Extra name and put it on the top tube?

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...636ca289f2.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...232425fb92.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...11ae8dbaef.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...224db39091.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8f3fa697e4.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a4ea05555a.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...430f1bd3af.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...40b2a05880.jpg

Hawt!

Very nice @nomadmax. Well worth the trip to Milwaukee, obviously.

That's really nice, looks like it just came out of the showroom.

Gorgeous!

Yeow! :thumb::thumb:

Sweeeeeeeeet!

WOWZA. That deep red paint is just *kisses fingertips* magnifique.

Indeed, very nice. Looks terrific just as you acquired it. If it were mine, I'd leave it alone.

Dean

Jery Lee said it best....
 

"Goodness Gracious, Great Balls o' Fire!"

Oh, that red, white, and pink is so hot! Wow!

Nomadmax,
All I can say is D#$M!!!!!!!
Best, Ben

Beautiful.

Corsa Extra decal was on top tube of my '85 Merckx, near head tube.
Not sure when that started or ended.
Love the CdA group.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...71c6c19f35.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4859dd5d99.jpg

Nice score! And Delta brakes to boot!

Very nice looking bike. You did well! Marker of a bike in fantastic shape - frame reflected in the headset!

I'm not sure you can date yours by presence or absence of the Corsa Extra sticker. I have the '85 brochure and the Criterium is also shown in that paint scheme with SLX tubing. Croce D'Aune came out '86 or '87 (I think) and that might help date yours if the BB serial number doesn't.

Wow, that’s a beauty, and in such good state...

It was. Now it's in Ohio.

Shots fired!!!

Fork's bent! :D

Are you going to put on a Power or Pro Stealth saddle on this beauty, or leave the Turbo?

I was kinda hurt no one said the fork was bent before now ;) Goes to show, you can always count on good riding buds:thumb: As far as the saddle, you know I love my modern equipment but I have to leave this one as is. Hopefully I can get it out for a ride with you sometime.

You sir, are the PERFECT custodian and well deserved~

Cheers!

Gorgeous
 

Especially those brakes. Sweet find there.

Oh my.....channeling George Takei there.

Beautiful Merckx score! You done good on this one, Jarhead.

Bill

That's quite attractive. Nice score.