Circa 1946 Merlin L'Internationale

lewisfoto

rBotM Winner
Feedback
View
Greetings gents.

It has been awhile since I have shared a bicycle here so apologies.

A new bike shop just opened up here in Claremont, California, my hometown. Well so I went by and chatted with the tow young guys who own the place and signed their guest book as a courtesy.

So last week I get a call and they have a customer who wants to sell a Merlin, I say 'great I love titanium'…but before I could finish he says this one is from the 40s.

Now I was mildly aware that there was an English Merlin, but really knew nothing about the brand but I scheduled a visit…

More later but here are a few pics to get you started
 

Attachments

  • Merlin L International 1945 8 web.jpg
    Merlin L International 1945 8 web.jpg
    67.8 KB · Views: 1,086
  • Merlin L International 1945 6 web.jpg
    Merlin L International 1945 6 web.jpg
    88.5 KB · Views: 1,086
quite amusing as I have got a "french cousin" with very similar seatstay top
slightly different front lugs - mine are probably modified EKLA






certainly 1940's
how are your stays ends ? mine are extremely thin
certainly in Vitus tubing and I suspect yours is also in Vitus - the stays have a rather recognizable sort of reinforcement at the chainring level


 
My goodness that is strikingly similar. I looks like you have a fair amount of work ahead but at least it is more or less complete.
 
Re:

well not really complete ! as this bike was put in "porteur" disguise which does not seem to be its initial purpose !

 
elPedro666":1mdha2yf said:
Look forward to seeing this progess


Thanks, and on the subject here are a few more pics of the frameset.
 

Attachments

  • Merlin L International 1945 9 web.jpg
    Merlin L International 1945 9 web.jpg
    63 KB · Views: 925
  • Merlin L International 1945 7 web.jpg
    Merlin L International 1945 7 web.jpg
    111 KB · Views: 925
  • Merlin L International 1945 5 web.jpg
    Merlin L International 1945 5 web.jpg
    56.6 KB · Views: 924
  • Merlin L International 1945 2 web.jpg
    Merlin L International 1945 2 web.jpg
    70.2 KB · Views: 925
  • Merlin L International 1945 1 web.jpg
    Merlin L International 1945 1 web.jpg
    86.5 KB · Views: 925
Re: Re:

bduc61":1fn9cnwb said:
well not really complete ! as this bike was put in "porteur" disguise which does not seem to be its initial purpose !
]


That looks like a fun project assuming that the post and stem come out.
 
Re:

Beautiful bike!

I just wanted to add that I recently picked up a pre-ww2 French with full 531 (every tube is stamped) rando with the same chain stay detail as bduc61's.

I will be watching this build closely. Looks fantastic!
 
That is stunning mate, wow, what a frame.
Will be watching with much interest :)
What's the plan?

Jamie
 
Jamiedyer":suh0my3f said:
That is stunning mate, wow, what a frame.
Will be watching with much interest :)
What's the plan?

Jamie


I am so glad you asked.

The plan is to do a period correct three speed TT bike.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top