1972 Eddy Merckx (Kessels)

1972 Eddy Merckx Drive Side

Specification:

  • Serial No: —
  • Frame: Reynolds 531 butted frame tubes, Reynolds 531 forks; Seat Tube: 57cm ctt; Head Angle: 73deg; Seat Angle: 73deg; Wheelbase: 99cm; Campagnolo dropouts (chrome plated)
  • Crankset: Campagnolo Record; Chainrings: 52t/42t
  • Pedals: Campagnolo Record
  • Gears: Campagnolo Nuovo Record front and rear derailleurs and shifters. 5-speed freewheel.
  • Wheels: Unknown rims, Campagnolo Record hubs; Front: 32 spoke; Rear: different rim, 36 spoke
  • Brakes: Campagnolo Record
  • Handlebars and Stem: Cinelli
  • Saddle and Seatpost: Cinelli UnicaNitor on Campagnolo Record seatpost 27.0mm diameter, with milled flutes

Notes:

The Reynolds decal on the frame refers only to the frame tubes.  The forks also carry a Reynolds 531 decal, leading to uncertainty as to whether the rear stays are also 531.

Personal Comments:

This bicycle has its original paint and decals and shows signs of being much raced and well-used.  As received it had the odd wheels that are still fitted and the rear dropouts have been spaced an extra 3 or 4 mm to accommodate a 6 spd 13-18t freewheel, since removed and replaced by a 5-speed with wider ratios.  The original large chainwheel was a drilled Campagnolo Nuovo Record part and was removed because the teeth were badly worn.  It is proposed to duplicate the drilling on another NR chainwheel to be fitted to the bike.  Otherwise it is only proposed to replace the perished generic brake lever hoods and fit cloth bar tape, keeping all the other parts that were fitted when the bike was acquired.

I have just learned that the name under the bottom bracket is probably the name of the frame builder – Van Der Elst.  There is some question as to whether the letter “K” is the Builder’s initial or whether it has some other significance.

More Photos:

1972 Eddy Merckx Downtube RH

1972 Eddy Merckx seat tube

1972 Eddy Merckx head tube

1972 Eddy Merckx seat cluster

1972 Eddy Merckx drivetrain

1972 Eddy Merckx crdankset

1972 Eddy Merckx rear derailleur

1972 Eddy Merckx rear brake

1972 Eddy Merckx saddle and post

1972 Eddy Merckx BB

1972 Eddy Merckx rear hub

1972 Eddy Merckx fork crown

1972 Eddy Merckx Under BB

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