Vintage Falcon road bikes

[Mandobob]

New to the forum and to this nice older bike. Any info appreciated. SR crankset, cotterless, Shimano Titlist derailleurs, weinmann brakes

The recessed nut on the stem, assuming that is original, was introduced in the 1974 season catalogue so it looks to me like a mid to late 70s Olympic. It has the plain gauge 531 frame tubes, the wrapover seat stay detail and the graphics to match that period. However on the basis of my frame number theory, I would say it was a 1978 Olympic.

 

[Illaveago]

I've been a bit idle due to catching Covid so my brain has been thinking. I was thinking about my frame and it's similarity with my Viking Severn Valley, both are from the same year. So this afternoon I dug my frame out and took a picture of both of them together so that I could visualise what it would look like built up. I have also been thinking that I may be able to do local repairs on the frame and keep the frame more original to how it once looked.

 

[Illaveago]

I found some pictures of some Falcon Professional transfers on the net and copied them on to paper. They were the exact size to fit the white panels on my frame . This is what I believe was originally on my frame.

 

[grca]

Greetings!

I just recently purchased an old Falcon that I believe is from the early 1980's. It seems to have a mix of components - Campagnolo Weinmann brakes, Sachs front/rear derailleurs and crank and Mavic rims. Needs a bit of work with the usual chain, tires etc. and probably should be repainted at some point, but I'm planning on riding it as is for a while. Any information as to year or model is appreciated!

 

[onemorbike55]

The recessed nut on the stem, assuming that is original, was introduced in the 1974 season catalogue so it looks to me like a mid to late 70s Olympic. It has the plain gauge 531 frame tubes, the wrapover seat stay detail and the graphics to match that period. However on the basis of my frame number theory, I would say it was a 1978 Olympic.

Thanks for the wisdom! Am mid-strip and plan to first rebuild with old components to ride ten speed for memory’s sake and test frame for fit and fun, then plan next step. Spiff up and sell, single speed conversion ( ride or sell) or something else. Nothing like a nice old steel frame to amuse a mid-60’s cyclist with some 50 + year old tools in the garage

 

[Mandobob]

This is an interesting bike, almost certainly early 80s. 531 frame and forks puts it among the higher spec bikes at the time. Which head badge does it have? Does it have Ernie Clements signature in the bottom panel (78-82) or just the Falcon name in red (82-85)? Interesting that there appear to be no mudguard eyes on the fork. I can't quite see whether there are any on the rear dropouts. The campag Veloce brakes would seem to be added later as they are from the 1990s. Weinmann / Sachs were widely used by Falcon.

 

[grca]

Hi! No signature, only the Falcon script. Head badge is a sticker. I've attached a couple of additional photos. I can take more when I get home.

 

[Illaveago]

Today I have been playing around at making water slide transfers for my Professional frame. I'm not very good at image manipulation on the computer so the background of the transfer is a bit grubby. I'll put it down to aging. I have got to put gold lines around the ends of each transfer.

 

[Illaveago]

I have been having a play with my frame. I masked out and sprayed the head tube white and had a go at lining the lugs gold.

 

[Astral]

1977 Falcon 531. All components pre-restore were date stamped 1976 or 1977. It hadn't been used or cleaned for a very long time. Came with assumed original Regina chain, Clement tyres, bar tape and bar end plugs. Crane RD swapped out for the Suntour and racing freewheel swapped out for a larger one. Unusual fork crown and seat stay upper termination. Campag fork drop-outs, Shimano rears. 23" frame, 27" clincher wheels. Serial number 21285 (forks match).

 

[biggs682]

@Astral you will get the Falcon boys going with those pictures.

Nice bike as well

 

[Mandobob]

That looks a really nice restoration. Brilliant!
In my estimate it is almost certainly a Cote D'Azur. Assuming the seat tube decal is the same as the original, it would quite likely be made towards the end of 1977 but as a 1978 season bike, because that is when the seat tube decals changed.

I am attaching a copy of the Cote D'Azur entry in the 1976 catalogue. You will notice it has the same seat cluster detail as yours, the Campagnolo front dropouts and Shimano rear ones. L/F Q/R hubs and weinmann sidepull brakes. SR drillium chainset. Notice the only real differnce is the seat tube decal was old style in 1976 and the fork crown is different - but that's Falcon for you.

I really like that bike. It is the one Falcon model I have been looking out for and could be pursuaded to acquire - not that I have room for any more!

 

[Astral]

It may well be.

Some pre restore pics attached. Red oxide primer used throughout it seems... To my eyes, the components/headset/BB had not been moved/adjusted before I got my tools on them.

 

[biggs682]

This has popped up locally on faceache market place

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3203878696570238/?ref=facebook_story_share

 

[Mandobob]

This has popped up locally on faceache market place

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3203878696570238/?ref=facebook_story_share

Mid 1980s Rapier by the look of it. Mid range, nice chrome forks but no Q/R or 531. Very reasonable price.