[CR]Was: Falcon?... now Kessels & Merckx

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From: <OROBOYZ@aol.com>
To: dirk.feeken@sap.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Was: Falcon?... now Kessels & Merckx
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002 10:33:25 EST

In a message dated 11/11/2002 5:20:23 AM Eastern Standard Time, dirk.feeken@sap.com writes:

<< Another builder besides Falcon who built Merckx labeled frames under licence before Merckx started his own business was Kessels in Belgium. He was the most regarded belgian builder and made also frames Eddy actually rode. I've sent a question about a (probably faked) 1971 Merckx labeled Kessels to info@eddymerckx.be and got this response from Eddy's wife Claudine. They can't confirm the authenticity of any Merckx labeled Kessels (or Falcon, or..) just that Kessels has been a authorized licence builder during that time. >>

I sold a few Kessels frames, labeled Merckx, back in 1973 or 74. They were brought in by the Falcon/Merckx importer when the Falcon-made bikes were in short supply due to the high demand of the Bike Boom. My impressions were that these Kessels frames were very well made, superior in workmanship to the Falcon product of that time. The Falcon bike frame construction seemed rushed and sloppy while the Kessels were very refined. The Kessels were also quite different design wise.. the wheel base was shorter , the seat stays were large diameter, the fork length cut from the bottom to yield a beefier diameter and the frame angles a tad more upright.. More Kermesse than stage race... Lugs were very nicely thinned and shaped, semi wrapover seat stay top eyes, box crown... Interestingly, I have an article somewhere in a early 1970s International Cycling magazine showing a picture of Eddy and "his frame builder Kessels" touring the Falcon factory preliminary to his signing an agreement of licensing...

Dale Brown
Greensboro, North Carolina