Vintage Falcon road bikes

[Illaveago]

I think you may find that the lugs are Bocama which were fitted to both Professional and SuperPro models.

Does it have the rear brake bridge strengthening?

Yes. But it is the early version without the recess for the mounting bolt .

 

[Mandobob]

Yes. But it is the early version without the recess for the mounting bolt .

So its definitely a Falcon Professional!

 

[avecReynolds531]

There's a Falcon Olympic for sale just now at £80: a 531 plain gauge frame, wrap over stays and half chromed fork in really good condition:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/36402122...35&osub=-1~1&crd=20221020012614&segname=11021

 

[Illaveago]

I masked out and sprayed a couple of panels on my frame today. I have placed one of the gold brake calipers on just for show. The original blue would have been much brighter.
There is another strange thing about this frame and that is the gap between the front fork dropouts . It is 9cm. This must have been how they were made . It is not through accident damage. The forks are true . I have tried using a car jack to see if they would move but they are too springy. They just return to their original setting . I will have to get some slimmed down cones and washers.

 

[Illaveago]

I have just bought an old pair of Viking forks. The description states that the gap between the dropouts is 96 mm , which don't seem too far off what my frame has . So to me it sounds as though you could get narrower hubs at some time in the past .

 

[pdkamik]

Is there a way to determine hold old a Falcon is by the serial number. This is probably a 60’s bike

 

[Illaveago]

Is there a way to determine hold old a Falcon is by the serial number. This is probably a 60’s bike

Their numbering system is difficult to unravel. Do you have any pictures of the whole frame as the style of transfers may be able to pin down the year and model .

 

[Mandobob]

Is there a way to determine hold old a Falcon is by the serial number. This is probably a 60’s bike

And the style of lugs may help too.

 

[Illaveago]

If there is a transfer on the seat tube with an Eagle with made in Lincolnshire on it it would date it to post 67 . That is when the company moved there .

 

[Illaveago]

I just went back some pages to find my Black Diamond post to find that it's frame number begins with C which I think is post 67 as it has the Lincolnshire transfer. So it would seem that the A number pre dates that .

 

[pdkamik]

Is there a way to determine hold old a Falcon is by the serial number. This is probably a 60’s bike

Before and after picture. Cleaned it up for a friend whose father used to race it . campagnolo deraileurs.

 

[Mandobob]

I just went back some pages to find my Black Diamond post to find that it's frame number begins with C which I think is post 67 as it has the Lincolnshire transfer. So it would seem that the A number pre dates that .

My current theory is that where there is a prefix letter, the following dates apply. Any thought Illavago?

 

[Illaveago]

My current theory is that where there is a prefix letter, the following dates apply. Any thought Illavago?

View attachment 667091

I'll have to check . I have 3 frames to check . The earliest is a Club Special is a H and my Black Diamond is C.

 

[Illaveago]

The H would fit in with the Club Special as it was an early model with the Cyclo Benelux rear hanger . The Black Diamond with the C prefix seems to be out as it was fitted with a Simplex Prestige rear derailleur which only went to 1972 . I will check Disraeli Gears . I will also look at some different makes of catalogues as I can remember seeing them fitted to other bikes .

 

[pdkamik]

Thanks, the components seem older than 75 but maybe he transfered them from an older frame Or he had a limited budget.