My Merckx Rebuild - Finished - With Lots of Pics

I have a Raleigh Super U dynatech build which will be listed in a seperate thread, however I sold this Raleigh Bike back in 1990 to buy a Merckx. Spotted in the ads in the back of Cycling Weekly.

Along with this frame I bought a C-Record chainset and a C-record rear mech. They cost me £550.00 back then from Deeside Cycles. The frame was a bargain because it was shop soiled. (A few paint chips) It was a Corsa (Columbus SL) in the team stuttgart colours.

However from the day I got the frame, I did not like the colour scheme, and the fact that the decals on it were the old style Eddy Merckx typeface. I love the bike and in 2000 I decided to get it resprayed and Chromed. It cost me a fortune but again I was not happy with it.

The frame builder promised me that he would get the decals done properly etc but they were not even close. In fact the merckx head badge was not replicated in any shape or form. Anyway I continued to use the bike on and off for a good few years until I quit cycling for a time.

The bike didnt stand the times well and it was time for an overhaul. Starting with a strip and respray.

This picture shows the colour scheme although mine did not have the chrome rear stays or forks.

Re: My Merckx Rebuild - Lots of Pics

I had the rear triangle and the forks chromed. I had two bottle bosses added to the seat tube. I had the top tube cable guides replaced with ones that have the cable exposed. The colour scheme was based on one that Colnago had out at the time and all this work cost a small fortune to get done.

But as you can see form the photos it did not last. The paint was starting to crack and the chrome was all pitted. I did clean it all up but it was no good. The frame would have to be stripped. It was around this time that I discovered Retrobike and all the wonderful happenings on here...

Re: My Merckx Rebuild - Lots of Pics

I know someone who does Car Resprays and such like and they owed me a favour so they said they would paint it for me. I stripped the frame and roughed up the chrome ready for painting. I masked off the chrome dropouts as they were still perfect. He used an etch primer over it and I picked a nice metalic red colour from his shelf. Here is the result

Re: My Merckx Rebuild - Lots of Pics

In the mean time I had got in contact with Greg Softly in Australia. He made me a set of decals that matched those that were originally on the frame. Except that I used the newer E.Mercky typeface. These decals are brilliant. You can see from the pics that they even have the gold trim on the edge of the letters. Anyone think of restoration should contact him.

I think it's amazing how the metallic paint comes to life once the decals are added. I am really pleased with the result. Now to start sourcing some parts.....

I already had a Chorus Bottom Bracket and headset that originally came with the frame. I also have an engraved Athena seatpin that I had on my Raleigh Super U build. (swapped for C-record). So that wasa a good start.

Re: My Merckx Rebuild - Lots of Pics

The build will be campagnolo victory. The raleigh Super U bike which I managed to get back from the guy I sold it to, had a victory rear gear. This inspired me to make the build with victory components.

I always set out to get the best condition parts that I can, but I am not willing to spend silly money on NOS stuff. The next set of pics will show the build so far. A number of the parts have been restored by me and I will show them in the next few pics..

Re: My Merckx Rebuild - Lots of Pics

All this work took place in the summer 2012. I am only now getting round to sourcing the last few parts to complete the build. Cinelli XA stem arrived at the weekend. Wheels are with my brother getting Dished and trued...(I hate wheelbuilding)....

Re: My Merckx Rebuild - Lots of Pics

I got a chainset which needed polishing. Otherwise it was in great condition. Here it is all polished and ready to go..

Re: My Merckx Rebuild - Lots of Pics

Have been searching for months for Victory Levers at the right price. I gave in and bought some badly damaged Super Record ones without hoods from Hilary Stone. I then restored them using the techniques I talk about here.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... p;t=253317

The hoods are Dia Compe white from Ebay and are a great fit. I am still on the lookout for Campag Originals but I wont pay silly money for them.

Re: My Merckx Rebuild - Lots of Pics

Awesome, looking forward to the result!

Re: My Merckx Rebuild - Lots of Pics

Stephen,

The bike looks great, has the paint a fleck in it? The pic of the forks sorta sparkles. Looks like you might be finished for this summer - hopefully we get the weather to get out. Have you all the bits you need?

Richard