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Kessels Merckx 3th generation racebike, How to identify

Submitted by dciadmin... on

Vintage Kessels Merckx frame,  third generation 1977 - 1979, how to identify a high-end frame?
It is always a subject of discussion. The thread running through every story is: Kessels did not make
frames but imported them from framebuilders. Vaneenooghe in Ruiselede and Gaston Orlans in Gistel, both in West Flanders Belgium were two of the builders. 
On the photos below you can see only high-end Kessels-Merckx framesets  similar to the ones
Eddy Merckx used in different races between 1971 and 1977.
Fernand Kessels died in 1979, the firm closed in 1980 the year in wich Eddy Merckx started his firm
with help from Ugo De Rosa. Are these 'the one and only'? Probably not, but at least there are five standard criteria to identify these kind of bikes as 1. Kessels Merckx and 2. high-end. You could say that this is a starting point...
How to identify a Kessels 2nd generation frame?
How to identify a Kessels 1nd generation frame?

Eddy Merckx Kessels 3nd version 1977 How to identify Vaneenooghe
A 3th generation Kesssels Merckx, the period of Fiat and C §A, grey color, Campagnolo cable guides for the rear brake,
Reynolds 531

 

Eddy Merckx Kessels 3nd version How to identify Vaneenooghe Retro steel bikes
Two slots in the upper en lower lug of the steerer tube, framebuilder Vaneenooghe as seen on the forkcrown

 

Eddy Merckx Kessels How to identify Vaneenooghe Retro steel bikes
Slot upper lug

 

Eddy Merckx Kessels How to identify Vaneenooghe 3nd generation
Slot lower lug, forkcrown little bit different from De Rosa. Not a Vaneenooghe mark on the forkcrown. Presumably made by Gaston Orlans

 

Eddy Merckx Kessels Vaneenooghe Orlans Terryn 1977
Kessels Merckx 1977, cableguides above BB

 

Eddy Merckx Kessels Vaneenooghe Orlans Terryn 1977
Kessels Merckx 1977, two slots and serial number 165
Marked '68' and 'Benoye' wich probably means the 68th frame sold by Benoye bicycle shop

 

Eddy Merckx Kessels Vaneenooghe Orlans Terryn Klassieke retro racefietsen
Kessels Merckx 1977, fork crown, Reynolds 531

 

Merckx Kessels Vaneenooghe Orlans Terryn 3nd generation
Kessels Merckx 1977, inside forkcrown two holes

 

Eddy Merckx Kessels Vaneenooghe Orlans Terryn 3nd generation 1977
Kessels Merckx 1977, rear brake bridge

 

Eddy Merckx Kessels Vaneenooghe Orlans Terryn Vintage race bikes
Kessels Merckx 1977, Campagnolo drop-outs, no eyelets

 

Eddy Merckx Kessels Vaneenooghe Orlans Terryn Retro race bicycles
Kessels Merckx 1977, Campagnolo drop-outs, no eyelets

 

Eddy Merckx Kessels Vaneenooghe Orlans Terryn Vintage racing bikes
Kessels Merckx 1977,  short lugs

 

Eddy Merckx Kessels Vaneenooghe Orlans Terryn Retro classic bicycles
Kessels Merckx 1977, detail slot and lug

 

Eddy Merckx Kessels Vaneenooghe Orlans Terryn Vintage racefietsen
Kessels Merck 1977, seatlug and seatstay

 

Year
1977
Model
Kessels
Info
Belgium
Vintage Kessels racebike,  how to identify eddy meckx

Comments

Submitted by Stephen Henry (not verified) on Sat, 04/22/2023 - 08:43

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Information in this article is incorrect. The silver coloured Kessels Merckx frames date from approximately 1977, not 1975.
Kessels sold at least two previous generations of high end Merckx branded frames (He also sold many junk frames with Merckx labelling).
The pictures in the article show 3rd generation Merckx branded frames including some that had been modified. (i.e no Race Number holders were provided by the factory). Frames with slotted cuts in the bottom bracket with no number stamped on the bottom bracket are also suspect.
The first generation had longer lugs and circular holes in the bottom bracket. Typically in Orange colour scheme. Seat stay connection to seat area had an inward curve.
The second generation has shorter lugs and uses a different shade of Molteni Orange paint and a flat seat stay treatment. Also come with Two large holes in the bottom bracket.

Believe the frame to to be a 72 - 73 Kessels frame.
The inward treatment of the stays where they they join seat post and the stamping of the frame number on the stay being good indicators.
So, Yes, it is a first generation frame.

The front fork is not original however.

Regards,
Stephen

Submitted by robert volz (not verified) on Tue, 06/13/2023 - 23:03

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After Merckx left Molteni, he rode for Fiat which Silver was the team color.