1961 Falcon Olympic/Super Route or Club Special ?

[John Mac]

Hi, I wonder if anyone could shed light on the model of Falcon I acquired some years ago. The owner I purchased it from recalls he bought it around 1961, it was then, he thought 1 year old.
He felt sure it was an Olympic but without any decals on the top tube, it’s hard to be certain.
It’s odd because it seems to have early Nervex Pro? lugs but the flaming torch immichrome sticker on the seat tube seem later than 60’.
The weinmann centre pull brakes have 63 cast in the arms. I have not seen many with a single black panel on the seat tube. The colour I thought was “Flamboyant Copper” but it looks more gold than a frame listed on here elsewhere.
The paint is original.
The rear dropouts are both flat so standard derailleur.
There are 3 braze on cable guides for a derailleur on the right side only, indicating it may have been built as a five speed. Any thoughts ? Is it a Club Special (colour would suggest not) or a Super Route (lugs look like Nervex Pro) or is it an Olympic ?
The Nos Stronglight chain-set didn’t come with it, it had a very rusty Williams double, no dates can be seen.
The bottom bracket lug has the frame number T11871 stamped in it, also 1DC and what looks like 62:63.
Thanks in advance, John.

 

[biggs682]

@John Mac can't help but that looks a good project

 

[Mandobob]

I have several Falcons and have spent time looking at the model development from 1956 to about 1986.

Falcon were very inconsistent in their colours compared with the catalogues and also the specifications, so don't take the catalogue as complete gospel, just a guide. Components would be in short supply or run out so different ones would be substituted.

I have an early 1960s Super Route which has identical legwork. It is in the flamboyant copper (catalogue correct) colour which is darker and redder than yours appears to be. I know mine is a Super Route because it has part of that lettering on the front of the top tube. However mine carries a 531 butted label on the top of the seat tube which yours does not appear to have.

Since yours appears to be original paintwork, the Olympics in the 1960 and 1963 catalogues both have the black head tube detail, which the Super Route did not (nor does mine). If your previous owner's recollection is correct (bought 1961 one year old) then the dated brakes would be an upgrade. However in 1960 and 1963 Weinmann brakes were standard on both the Olympic and the Super Route. Maybe his memory is slightly off?

If you want to discuss this further, PM me and we can take things further.

 

[John Mac]

Well after a fair amount of work & money, here she is. The Phillips crank was dated 12/64 so I suspect the bike was built & sold in 1965.
Mostly new old stock components, brake blocks are now Koolstop salmons in weinmann holders, they stop well. Tyres are Panaracers, another concession to modernity.

 

[John Mac]

Here she is with my 1983 Falcon Professional.
Thanks for your interest.

 

[avecReynolds531]

Here she is with my 1983 Falcon Professional.
Thanks for your interest.

Beautiful photos & bikes. Thanks for posting.