non-fixie 

I went to pick up a bike this morning from a local seller, and I had noticed he also had the remnants of an Eddy Merckx bike for sale. So for an extra €25 it came home with me. I don't see these very often online, so I thought I'd document this one here for posterity.

I think it is from ca 1971, judging by the decals:



It's an entry level model, branded by Kessels, and it's incomplete, but a set of MAFAC brakes ...



... and levers is always welcome, so I consider the rest a bonus. Such as the slightly scruffy Unicanitor saddle, the Cinelli bars and the Mavic stem:



I like the look of the seat cluster:



And the fork doesn't look too bad either. At first I thought the decal was a reference to Briek Schotte, the 1948 and 1950 Belgian World Champion, but on closer inspection it looks more like "fabrieks<something>", with "fabriek" meaning "factory" or "works".



Any other of these low end Merckx' out there?

juvela

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thanks very much for sharing this find!

have never seen another like it; transfers are a new set to me

the stem & bar set can no be original - well above the pay grade of the balance

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btw -

non-fixie recently showed me that there were Miyata built Merckx cycles -

​​​​​​The catalogs of Japanese vintage bicycle

they even offered Hellenic models!


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non-fixie 

The decals seem to be a copy of what Eddy was using during the 1971 TdF, the first year Kessels were building his bikes:



BTW, more proof that orange bikes are really fast.

3speedslow

Lugs are long and decent. What’s the tubing?

That would make an excellent, er...single speed.

jdawginsc 

That bike is awesome!

Mavic stem is gorgeous and the Mafac wares gravy on the biscuit!

Great potential frame too.

juvela

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mixed gear ensemble of Freres Huret shift lever paired with Juy cable guide and Juy Prestige 637AR rear mech

Lyotard model Nr. 36 pedals

Nitor saddle

frame exhibits Italian type brake bridge

crown is Vagner model DL

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jdawginsc 

non-fixie is that a tubular or clincher RW?

juvela

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rear wheel is a wired-on with a RIGIDA SUPERCHROMIX steel rim


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velomateo

That is one of the coolest "entry level" bikes I've ever seen. Tons of potential there. I would leave it as a five (four?) speed set up.

Pavone

Very nice, I didn’t know Kessels made an entry level Merckx. Looks much better quality than the cheap and nasty Falcon-built “Eddy Merckx” replicas sold here in the UK. I bet that will fix up real nice, due to its rarity I’d be inclined to do preservation job rather than a full restoration. That’s $25 well spent!

mitchiefulfer

that color is so sick

non-fixie 

The lugs do look nice, and I especially like the look of seat stay tops. Very elegant.

I saw no marks that would indicate what tubing was used, and I haven't had the opportunity yet to take any measurements. Won't have for a couple of weeks either, as the non-fixie household will temporarily relocate to Italy for some cycling.

3speedslow

Oh, the life...

Have a great time you two!

non-fixie 

Isn't it?

Its only drawback, however, is its size. Too small for me, too big for the mrs.

velomateo

Hmmm, well what size is it? Looks like a 54-55.

non-fixie 

It certainly does, but to be sure I'll be taking actual measurements when I get back in a couple of weeks. I'll post them here.

SJX426 

Go to your profile and find albums on the right. Add Pics.

Mackers

If you're stripping the frame and thinking of selling it on, I'd definitely be interested, it is my size by the looks of it

branko_76 

Very cool. I have a Falcon made Eddy Merckx that is on the low-end as well.

Your frame & fork crown looks similar to some of Gitane frames I've seen

Robvolz 

Nothing makes sense. The sticker on the top tube belongs on the seat tube. Looks like chrome peeking under the fork paint. What is the headset?

52telecaster

I have a straight guage falcon. What an excellent frameset. Cheap stuff can be good!

branko_76 

Same here, 1970's Falcon frames were put together much better than Raleigh of the time

Mackers

Actually, forget I ever said that, I need another project like I need a hole in the head.

non-fixie 

For those who wonder if I ever got back: I did. I just forgot about this thread and my promise. Sorry about that and thanks for reminding me.

One thing I did find out in the meantime is that Kessels' main supplier of frames - they didn't build any themselves - were Vaneenooghe. The frames they supplied to Kessels included those for Merckx, Planckaert, Pollentier and Kelly. Vaneenooghe still build steel frames, currently under their own brand name, Jaegher.

non-fixie 

Thank you very much for going out of your way to see about those stickers. To Cuba, no less! Much appreciated.

It looks like the very early 1971 bikes had the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia stickers on the top tube. After seeing your picture, I managed to find exactly one other example online: BARN FIND Molteni 1971 Eddy Merckx.

Your timing is also excellent, BTW, as mine has been on my stand for a couple of days. I had finally dug it out of the garage.

The seat tube measures 56.5cm (center-to-top) and the top tube 56cm (center-to-center). The steel seatpost that came in it is somewhat deformed. My calipers show readings between 26.4mm and 26.8mm, so I'm assuming it started out at ~26.6mm, maybe even as a 26.8. BB shell is 70mm, with BSC threading.



The Mavic stem came out in one piece, after acquiring the correct 7mm allen wrench:



No markings on the headset. Perhaps juvela recognizes it?



Next up: the fixed cup. The bottom bracket was still surprisingly smooth, even with the decades-old chunks of grease in it, so I would like to save it.

The spindle, marked "137-70-MI":



The fixed cup, which I hope to get out unmolested. I measured the distance between the opposing flats to see what size wrench I would need at 36.6mm. So it will have to be the bench vise, I think: