Eddy Merckx Track Bike 1981
Columbus lugged steel with Eddy Merckx stamped track fork ends
3TTT Eddy Merckx pantographed
Merckx fork and Campy Record headset and Campy fork ends
Campy Record high-flange track hub laced to Mavic track rims with Vittoria sew-ups and tied spokes
Campy Record high-flange track hub laced to Mavic track rims with Vittoria sew-ups and tied spokes
Campy Record 165 pista cranks, Eddy Merckx bottom bracket
Concor saddle, Campy Eddy Merckx logo pantographed seat post
Campy Record track pedals with Campy clips and Eddy Merckx straps, Regina CX chain
Campy, 49 X 17
This is an early bike from the Eddy Merckx workshop in Belgium. The bike is,I believe, entirely original. The Cannibal himself tagged this bike on the top tube, apparently at the 1981 New York City Bicycle Show, where Merckx was introducing his bikes to the US market. I wish I knew more about the circumstances of Merckx signing the bike...
UPDATE: Mystery solved! I wrote to the Eddy Merckx shop to ask for any info on the bike, and someone from there finally got back to me:
------------------------------------------------------
Hello sir,
Sorry for the delay.
Your frame was built in 1981 as a track bike for the NY Bike Show. Eddy signed the frame on special demand of the distributor.
Kind regards
Tassignon Stef
EDDY MERCKX NV/SA
----------------------------------------------------
Note: The distributor who requested the signature would have been Ochsner Imports of Chicago, the first US distributor of Merckx bikes.