Merida Help Please

[kaya]

Thanks for the info "BG" the bike on mtbr looks to be a little earlier
as it has a bolt on front mech, also the canti hanger on the rear is
slightly different.

"FC" the seat post and stem maybe an upgrade? but the bars are deffo original as they are the same as the paint work as the frame.
Ive just been and looked for any numbers on the shimano parts and cant see any.
But there are numbers on the front of the head tube and the bottom bracket, the head tube numbers are M1L 48664 and the ones one the bottom bracket are A5086330.
Maybe I'm looking at these wrong but I cant make out a date from these,
what do you think?

 

[FluffyChicken]

The bars are not the Kalloy Uno style though.

Not numbers, a hand stamped looking pair of letters
On the crank it'll more than likely be on the back in the middle of the arm.
Probably say FC-M730 the VIA something or other just under that. next guess at 3 number like 175 being the length. and then 2 letters, starting probably with PN etc.
Front mech are often on the rear of the inside guide plate.
Rear mech is ? inside out outer guide plate (so hard to see) could be elsewhere though.

I only say this as if it say QN or something, then Q means made in 1992, so if original then the bike cannot be earlier than that date and probably a short while after.

Frame numbers mean nothing to me as well.

This being the main one (as on bottom bracket)
A5086330
But the M on here could be of course Meridia..
M1L48664

1 = 1991 ?
L = December ?

Long shot that though....

 

[kaya]

Now then Mr FC
The bars are deffo original as the paint finish is the same colours
and the same pattern, they are also oversized.
The cranks.................
Drive side..........15.....FC-730..... PK
None D/S........... -D.....FC-730..... PL first letter is illegible

Front Derailer......FD....736.........PJ

" The bars are not the Kalloy Uno style though " I don't understand yes it sometimes take me a while to get my head round things

Ps thans for all the help

 

[FluffyChicken]

Now then Mr FC
The bars are deffo original as the paint finish is the same colours
and the same pattern, they are also oversized.
The cranks.................
Drive side..........15.....FC-730..... PK
None D/S........... -D.....FC-730..... PL first letter is illegible

Front Derailer......FD....736.........PJ

" The bars are not the Kalloy Uno style though " I don't understand yes it sometimes take me a while to get my head round things

Ps thans for all the help

Your handlebars have bot been upgraded (or changed), I never mentioned it originally, I only said the stem and seatpost <goes to check what I typed, realisation dawns , sudden embarresed and thinks of editting it just to say nah nah go check ) bugger I meant stem not handlebars in my first post.

Anyway first letter P is 1991.
and second letter J = OCT, K = NOV, L = DEC
So assuming none of these have been changed from their originals then it cannot have been a 1991 model as the 1992 model will already be in full flow.
This also ties in with my guestimate frame numbering.
Placing it as a 1992 model

note:
No evidence on the frame numbering, just a hunch
And the XT bits means it 1992 or later model if original.

 

[mikee]

money well spent vern

 

[kaya]

Very good detective work Mr FC I think you've hit the nail on the head
92 Looks to be right with the shimano codes, also how you interpret the serial number. Now would you care to have a go at the paint codes
Thanks for the help FC your more than a star

Mikee it was money very well spent, I thought it may have been
a little on the large side for me. But a short test ride every thing seemed to fit
I can't wait to get started but Ive got to finish the Zaskar first, as I want to ride that next weekend at the Dalby ride :roll:

 

[mikee]

did look at it witha view to raping it of the groupset
wish i had now

get that zaskar built
best bike you'll ever ride imho

 

[kaya]

did look at it witha view to raping it of the groupset
wish i had now

That was my intention but when I saw the paint work, I changed my mind.
With not to much work i think it will make a nice bike.

 

[mikee]

it's a sickness vern
i bought a £15 GT timberline for the bits then i rode it
no got the heart to split it
bit like brocks eldridge that i bought for the groupset

sentimental old fool :cry:

 

[kaya]

it's a sickness vern
i bought a £15 GT timberline for the bits then i rode it
no got the heart to split it
bit like brocks eldridge that i bought for the groupset

sentimental old fool :cry:

Ive stuck to the one in one out :roll: But this snuck under the radar