Re: [CR] Identifying a Merckx frame

(Example: Production Builders:LeJeune)

In-Reply-To: <010820062110.6088.43C17FBE0007D3A2000017C82200761064CE0D909F09@comcast.net>
References: <010820062110.6088.43C17FBE0007D3A2000017C82200761064CE0D909F09@comcast.net>
From: "Jeremy Rauch" <classic2@cadre.org>
Subject: Re: [CR] Identifying a Merckx frame
Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2006 16:43:59 -0500
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


Seems very unlikely -- I own S-2078-B, another Merckx GP. I've seen pics of Wayne's frame, and they are identical. Same color, decals and size (I think). Given that they are sequential, there's definitely some method to the Merckx numbering madness, but its not build day + last digit of year.

I would love to figure it out, so if anyone wants to send me their pedigreed serial, and I get enough, I'll take a stab. info@gitabike.com responds very quickly to inquiries about model year given a serial number. They don't seem to have specific build dates, however. Jeremy Rauch NY, NY

On Jan 8, 2006, at 4:10 PM, gpvb1@comcast.net wrote:
> Wayne:
>
> Could that serial number represent the 207th day of 1989?
>
> Greg Parker
> Ann Arbor, Michigan
>
> Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2006 12:32:04 -0500
> From: "Bingham, Wayne" <WBINGHAM@imf.org>
> To: "CR" <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Subject: RE: [CR] Identifying a Merckx frame
>
> Mark -
>
> Not likely that your frame is earlier than 1980, which is when Merckx
> set up his operation and started cranking out frames (not counting the
> earlier Merckx "branded" frames by Falcon and others). There has
> always
> been some speculation that there were some late 70's De Rosa-built
> Merckx frames (De Rosa helped Merckx set up the operation), but
> nothing
> definitive. I don't recall seeing the sloping crowns until after the
> first couple of years, and then both types were used for quite a
> while.
> It's most likely your frame is early to mid 80's.
>
> I don't think that anyone has figured out the Merckx numbering system.
> I'm looking at my '89 Merckx Grand Prix frame and the numbers/letters
> are S-2079-B in the sequence you describe.