Vintage Falcon road bikes

[Davie A]

I hope this is ok to as. I'm planning to get out on this bike soon. I was going to ask, please; what are the most comfortable tyres I could fit on this bike, both size and brand/ model? The original 700*23 are fitted, I'm not sure what else would be a comfortable clearance. Many thanks.

 

[oldandslow]

This is a picture of my 1978 Falcon. I thought it was a Black Diamond but I'm a bit unsure now. It originally had a steel crank and wheels, red Bluemels Veloce mudguards and Simplex rear derailleur.

View attachment 396492

That post from near the start of this thread is the nearest I've seen to the second-hand Falcon that was my first road bike, although mine was white and had a cottered single chain set. I remember spending my holiday money upgrading to a Sugino alloy double. I don't think I have any photos from that time at all. Sadly I bent it, and had to replace it.

My brother saved up his paper money and bought a purple Black Diamond brand new, which was a touch nicer.

 

[Illaveago]

That post from near the start of this thread is the nearest I've seen to the second-hand Falcon that was my first road bike, although mine was white and had a cottered single chain set. I remember spending my holiday money upgrading to a Sugino alloy double. I don't think I have any photos from that time at all. Sadly I bent it, and had to replace it.

My brother saved up his paper money and bought a purple Black Diamond brand new, which was a touch nicer.

My Black Diamond had a steel crank originally, I might have fitted it on a friend's bike and fitted an alloy double clanger instead.
Seeing a purple Black Diamond in the bike racks at school in the 60's have left a lasting memory. It was purple, black and chrome and looked amazing!

 

[midlife]

Falcon for some unknown reason suddenly went mad on powder coating. Maybe there was some hookey deal with a mate…

The purple Black Diamond of my era was powder coated in bright silver and had a semi translucent purple lacquer on top. When new and clean with bright sunlight looked a million dollars

 

[Illaveago]

This is my other Black Diamond which I bought as a frame minus wheels last year.I've been using it recently as my go to bike for general purpose riding. The frame is quite badly scratched despite how it looks in the picture and is in need of some spraying however it rides well.

 

[biggs682]

This tidy larger sized Falcon is for sale locally

https://www.facebook.com/share/183CeD97mS/

 

[Mandobob]

This is my other Black Diamond which I bought as a frame minus wheels last year.I've been using it recently as my go to bike for general purpose riding. The frame is quite badly scratched despite how it looks in the picture and is in need of some spraying however it rides well.

View attachment 761122

Oh the hierarchy of bikes when we have so many!

 

[biggs682]

This one has popped up on marketplace , just that bit too far away for me

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/608459278692042/

 

[Webbo2]

I haven’t read all the pages on here but I have seen the mention of Terry Dolan making Falcon frames in the mid 1980’s. In 1984 or 85 I won a frame for being Hull Thursdays most improved rider. They were sponsored by Falcon at the time. It was made for me, badged as Falcon in Reynolds 531 professional tubing and I was told it was made by Cougar cycles in Liverpool.

 

[Mandobob]

I haven’t read all the pages on here but I have seen the mention of Terry Dolan making Falcon frames in the mid 1980’s. In 1984 or 85 I won a frame for being Hull Thursdays most improved rider. They were sponsored by Falcon at the time. It was made for me, badged as Falcon in Reynolds 531 professional tubing and I was told it was made by Cougar cycles in Liverpool.

Terry Dolan learned his trade at Harry Quinn's in Liverpool. Later he set up Cougar Cycles where he started making frames for many well known cyclists. In 1983 and 1984 Falcon Pro Team bikes were made by Paul Washington at Brian Rourke. In 1985 and 1986 Falcon switched to having team bikes made by Terry Dolan. During these four years Doug Sollars was the National Sales Manager and Team director 1983-86 and he arranged for a Falcon bike in 531 professional to be built for someone he went out training with. I subsequently bought that frame and built it back up with Campag Super Record. I guess there are other similar bikes / frames around from that time. Here is Doug on his bike. Mine is similar in colour and the rear seat stays are fully chromed.

Here is a photo of my bike (without rider) and Doug on his bike in a second photo. Note the single seat tube transfer/decal on mine rather than the two fitted to factory bikes.

 

[Webbo2]

Following a crash then a repair and respray at Ellis Briggs mine ended in similar colour to a Bianchi before I sold to a friend of the wife’s.