CyclesMakaron

I'm sorry but this is nonsense.
The 2 p. (pattern) chroom or chromie (because Eddy used Dutch or French in his entries depending on his mood) is chrome right chainstay and outs.
Later (always written with a French r) means repainting the frame in Meise.

laughatdanger

I have what I think to be a 2002 Eddy Merckx Team SC 'Domo-Farm Frites' These are the #s under the BB

M-43S
020115
J-560-2

The seatube has an Easton 'Sc7000 Scandium Made in USA" sticker.
Can someone confirm? Also.. how the size size 43 measured? C-t-c?

Mackers

Chromie is not french, you probably mean chromé or chromée.

And what would be the french equivalent of later?

CyclesMakaron

Later - try reading it not in English but in Nederlandic. Yes, in these two languages it looks the same and has the same meaning - I will be delicate and not write who borrowed the word from whom
I'm explaining the meaning of the words and abbreviations used in EMC, I don't have time for riddles - don't mislead people.

CyclesMakaron

Probably the serial number is J5602 (frame built in 2001), 020115 is the order number (placed by the manufacturer - yes, it didn't have to be the factory in Meise at all !), M-43S is the frame size, S = slope. Check the 2002 catalog for how the height was measured in the slope frame.

Mackers

I was asking out of curiosity, being a linguist and fluent in both Dutch and French, but now I am beginning to wonder.

CyclesMakaron

Please direct any complaints to Eddy Merckx - he was the one who wrote those incorrect captions

CyclesMakaron

Sorry, but the presence of a linguist should be used
What do you think about it?

Seanaus

Whether it was painted later, or repainted at the Meise factory, does it not seem strange that it has the early (pre 88) Columbus decals on the seat tube and fork legs?

Mackers

Not going to quote all those pictures but the first.

2 patten chrom - two dropouts chromed. (misspelled chroom on this note)

I also think I am correct about chromé, that is an accent aigu on an e, not a dot on an i. (would be the correct french adjective for chromed (singular male))

I think you may be correct on later v laten though I do not like it, it just sounds wrong.

I wish the note on my MX-Leader fork were legible but alas....

rgiro14

Morning Jacek,

Based upon the information in this thread, I have just purchased a 1994 Corsa Extra SLX 57cm frame serial number "F1122". On the left hand side is "7XB" but above this is what appears to be the 3 digit number "278". I've not seen this on any other frame I've come across either in the flesh or online. Can you shed any light on this mystery?

Thanks!

CyclesMakaron

Definitely yes

CyclesMakaron

Your frame is a Corsa Extra built in "century geo" . The extra numbers are not a factory marking - I learned from a reliable source that such markings were used in workshops for repairs or in paint shops for repainting the frame.

CyclesMakaron

I repeat: 2 p. does not mean "2 outs chrome" - in this scheme, in addition to forkouts and dropouts, the right chainstay is chrome plated.
At your leisure, compare how Eddy wrote "e" and "i" - it's really hard to confuse - below additional material:

rgiro14

Many thanks, It has been repainted previously in a reputable shop, so that makes sense; plus the font for the digits is slightly different to the factory.

Mackers

Whatever you say buddy, you believe what you want to believe. Eddy is an illiterate but you're correct.

CyclesMakaron

Whatever you write my friend is not related to reality - I am describing the actual inscriptions made by Eddy Merckx on his frame, anyone can read and compare it. Only one person has a problem distinguishing the letters "e" and "i" in these inscriptions - a theoretical linguist.
Indeed, Eddy Merckx's formal education ended early (he was 16), and in many statements he claimed that he sometimes lacked words in one of his native languages (he came from a Flemish-Walloonlsh family) nevertheless his message is legible to (almost) everyone.
By the way: how is the word chrome/chromed written in Brusseleer and in Walloon?

rgiro14

Thanks again for this info and for all your amazing research! I have just found this frame F1122 on your serial number register. Do you remember when you entered it on your records? I'm just trying to estimate when the repaint/refurbishment may have been done. Thanks. I also have a 1982 Pro which I can share with you to add further to your register It's got a very custom geometry and is made from Reynolds 531SL. Just let me know, thanks!

CyclesMakaron

F1122 - sorry, I don't remember.
Post pics of your 1982 531 - unusual geometry?

rgiro14

Not yet up to 10 posts, so photos to follow later. E3380 was purchased as a Team Gan Corsa (had bb cable guides removed, top tube brake cable guides switched to internal routing and gear guides added to headtube). Seat tube measures approx. 57.5 and top tub 55.5cm, so probably a custom order??? especially with Reynolds 531 SL (verified by an ex-Reynolds employee with direct experience with EM Meise factory).

CyclesMakaron

Interesting

Chrisply

Bonjour, je suis à la recherche de la date et la qualité de l'acier de mon vélo eddy merckx, si vous pouviez m'éclairer cela serait génial, je pense qu'il est de 1986 mais la déco ne correspond pas, l'inscription et à gauche A38, à droite Z 8032 peut être un vélo repeint, dans l'attente de vous lire un grand merci d'avance, désolé je ne suis pas autorisé à vous joindre des photos
. Petites infos supplémentaires , le vélo est vert foncé avec la décoration du mx leader, le vélo est peint complètement pas de chrome, sur la fourche le logo eddy merckx et 2 barres obliques surmontées d'un point, les pattes de roues avant et arrières sont des campagnolo j'espère avoir été assez précis


Bonjour, je recherche la date et la qualité de l'acier de mon vélo eddy merckx, si vous pouviez m'éclairer ce serait super, je pense qu'il est de 1986 mais la décoration ne correspond pas, l'inscription et à gauche A38, à droite Z 8032 peut être un vélo repeint, en attendant de vous lire un grand merci d'avance, désolé je n'ai pas le droit de joindre des photos
. Petite info complémentaire, le vélo est vert foncé avec la déco du mx leader, le vélo est peint totalement no chrome, sur la fourche le logo eddy merckx et 2 slash surmontés d'un point, les pattes de roue avant et arrière sont campagnolo j'espère avoir été
assez

himespau 

CyclesMakaron , I was a bit confused by one of your earlier posts where you said that a code meant that a Corsa Extra had Century geometry. There's a very good chance I misunderstood or read a faulty source, but I thought I'd read somewhere that there Eddy Merckx bikes of that era had 1 of 2 geometries: either the more relaxed century or the more aggressive road race and that the Corsa Extra (and later the Max) had the road race geometry and most other models like the Professional had the century geometry. I'd also thought that I had read that the main difference between the Titanium EX and AX in the 2nd half of the 90's was that the EX had road race geometry while the AX had century.

Am I misunderstanding or misremembering what I read? Could any of the bikes have either of the geometries? Were there more than 2 geometry options?

Sedgemop 

Any way to confirm this is actually Mr. Andreu's bike?

Facebook WI Merckx

merziac

The price would indicate it is not to me but you never know, sure looks like it could be legit.

And not really a horrible price even if not.