Eddy Merckx MXL contemporary renewal/restoration

Yes, it's intended to check the final position of the chevrons. The final stuff will be spray painted, of course.

I think it looks nice as-is, but I have cheap tastes

It sure looks good enought like this... but will look even better when finished :)
The chainstay chevron will be black and not orange, and it will advance circa 10mm towards the BB shell.
Can't wait to finally build this baby!

this is going to be awesome, i have a similar project with an Mx-leader right now. Just waiting for the paint shop to be done with it.. also nice to spot my pink cannondale a page back :)

Looks lovely, am envious!

More work in progress...

Meanwhile, I started breaking down all the parts' weights, and this is what I came down to, so far:

• Frameset: Weighted it down when I got it from Stefan and it went for 2000g (frame) and 700g (fork). Fork was raw as the pictures showed. I'm keeping the same weights in mind but they might end up being higher because of the extra chrome on the fork.

• Wheelset: Wheels are all done. Tune rims and hubs, CX-Ray spokes, Alloy nipples, Veloflex Masters 25c, extra-light tubes and One23 Alloy/Ti skewers. 2121g (1002 front + 1119 rear) both pumped up to 0.5bar below max.

• Groupset: I'm going for the Force 22 2015 edition. Haven't got it yet but according to SRAM specs its weight is around 2150g for the compact GXP version. I wanted the Mid-compact 52/36 combo but can't find it available in online stores anymore at a nice price, so... going for the regular compact and will be changing the rings later. Anyway, estimating around 2142g (with 11-28 K7 and 172.5mm arms).

• Junkset (eg.: all the remaining parts): Got everything else with me already... Tange headset, Procraft 44cm bars, SOMA quill, KCNC post, Flite saddle, Shimano A600 pedals, Lizard Skins tape, Birzman bottle cages, cable guides and SRAM's own cable sets. Around 1813g according to my kitchen scale.

So, I'm estimating around 8880g for the whole bike, which is not amazing, I know, but it's still a very nice allround weight ATMO, considering the all-steel frameset, under-PRO wheelset, and almost lack of carbon parts (exception made for the Force bits).

Can't wait to start building this baby up for summer!

This project is a realisation of my own dream project. In fact I was bidding on a terribly repainted MX-Leader in my size early this year, but it was overpriced and I was under-funded at the time.

I'm still hopeful for one to come up at some point in the future.

Sure, don't give up just yet. They're consistently appearing in the market every now and then.
You're bound to find one in your size. I found mine and I was looking for one just a tad over the last 3 or 4 years... just be patient.

More!

+1

More work in progress... it's almost finished now... just a couple paint touches here and there, decals and final lacquer applied.

Wow! The matte black is so good!

Yeah, I'm very happy with my choice of matte black!

Looks amazing.

Oh my..

Gorge.

That black looks nice! I'm currently planning on getting my GT painted as well, if you dont mind me asking, where did you get yours done?

Of course I don't mind, but unless you're in Portugal, I'm afraid it's not going to help you much... These guys' paint shop is near Lisbon, in Tejo's South Bank (town of Seixal).

There's a facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/can.a10c and a website, 'though the website doesn't have much yet: http://canpaint.pt/

They also repair carbon frames.

So, so good

winning already

Dope!

Small update:

Almost ready... still missing both derailleurs and BB (on their way) so the transmission can be assembled.

Pictures of the result soon.

Those black components look real good in combination with the frame!

Surely you're gonna drop that stem?

Yes, already dropped it a bit, but not too much as I'm no racer or athlete... For me, comfort on the bike comes first and aesthetics comes second. Besides, now that brifters are installed doesn't look that bad :)