Robert,
I own a Merckx Molteni Replica and it is different than the 2 I have seen pictures of on CampyOnly.com. Namely, my frame has internal tt cable routing, fd braze-on, right hand chainstay chrome, f&r chrome dropouts stamped "Eddy Merckx", non-chrome flat fork crown, "EM" engraving on top of fork crown and seat stay caps, slotted bb with under cable routing, and 130mm spacing. Tubing is Columbus SL. I have it built up with an SR group.
One replica on CampyOnly has the more "traditional" cable routing and less braze ons. The other bike is a De Rosa replica, and I remember they made these back in 92-93 as part of their heritage series.
The Vintage Velos site has 3 pics of Merckx's bike from the '74 Giro (or '73). IIRC, it is has a distinct lack of braze-ons other than water bottle bosses and sports a chrome fork crown.
My guess would be that Merckx made replicas over the course of several years, keeping them "up-to-date" for modern tastes. I've also heard a rumour that Merckx will do a custom anything, so this would change my speculation. My frame is probably early 90's, obviously.
Hope this helps.
Doland Cheung LA, CA
PS, the Merckx rides like a charm. Handling wise, it feels way different than my "L" bike. My guess would be the fork and trail combo.
>From: "Robert Clair (DUSD)" <rclair@info.census.gov>
>Subject: [CR] Merckx Moltini Replicas?
>
>Was recently comparing two, and was really struck by how diferant they
>were, literally like night and day. Chrome, no chrome; under the BB cable
>route, over the BB cable route; the BB shells themselves; differant
>engravings on differant bits; even differant dropout constructions. I
>understand that *little* differences can occur from the same production
>framebuilder, but one of these was significantly better/nicer than the
>other. Comments anyone, I believe we have several owners on the list.
>Much obliged ....
>Robert Clair
>Alexandria, VA