Vintage Falcon road bikes

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biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
That's a curious frame. There are no tup tube braze-ons for the brake cable but does have a rear derailleur cable stop. The rear part triangle chrome is a nice touch as is the rear derailleur hanger. I don't ever recall seeing those on a Majorca frame, which was always a budget model. The metal head badge has been refitted - with a screw! - so it looks like the frame has been plated/resprayed at some point. But why do that to a non 531 tubed frame?

The seller claims it is 531 and doing a quick scan and like you say this one is different to other Majorca's .
He does admit it's been recently powder coated
 

midlife

Legendary Member
It's not like any Majorca I have seen :smile:
 

Aston

Well-Known Member
I'm told that the frame and forks of my Thorn Club Tour from 1995/96 were made Falcon, rather than Thorn in Bridgwater, is this likely?

When I bought the bike I was given the original handbook, which was a Falcon handbook with the bikes details hand written in. I've asked Thorn, but they were not able to confirm anything about the bike and had no record of the original owner, hardly surprising I suppose after 30 yers!

Thanks in advance :smile:
 

aljernan

Member
Good day everyone,
I wanted to share a project that started unexpectedly and turned into something very special for me.

I found this Falcon in the bulk trash near my house here in South Florida. I had always wanted to work on a vintage bike project, so I picked it up thinking I would start small and see whether it could be brought back into rideable condition.

My original intention was restoration rather than modernization, clean, preserve, and keep as many original components as possible. The more I cleaned, polished, lubricated, and inspected the bike, the more surprised I became. It appeared to have seen relatively little use, and many of the original components were still in excellent condition.

At some point, the project shifted into what I would call “historic preservation mode.” It increasingly looked like I had stumbled onto what I’ve been calling my Falcon “Green Machine,” based on the distinctive early-1970s lime green finish.

Based on catalogue research (especially this excellent reference):
https://falconrestorebike.wordpress.com/catalogues/1973-catalogue/

I believe the bike is most likely a Falcon San Remo Model 94, designed by Ernie Clemens, circa 1973 (±1 year).

Here are the current specs as best as I’ve been able to document them:

San Remo – Designed by Ernie Clemens years between 1972-1974?

Frame: Reynolds 531 double-butted steel (SN: 4987)
Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record (Patent 1972)
Freewheel: Regina G-Scorse Merate
Wheels: 27" tubular racing rims / Campagnolo hubs
Crankset: Campagnolo
Brakes: Weinmann 610 Vainqueur 999
Levers: Weinmann
Pedals: Atom Quill 700
Saddle: Brooks B17
Handlebar: Cinelli Giro d’Italia

As many of you already know, Falcons can be difficult to date precisely, so I would truly appreciate any additional insight regarding year, model confirmation, original specification details, or catalogue references that might help narrow things down further.

I would especially be interested to know whether anyone recognizes the lime green finish as catalogue-correct for the San Remo in this period.
Mostly, I just wanted to share the bike with a community that appreciates these machines as much as I do. It’s been incredibly rewarding bringing this one back to the road!
1774370266649.png
 
I've been to Jericho... Just saying 😋

Looks tidy
It is, very, now with Brooks saddle
 

Illaveago

Legendary Member
Good day everyone,
I wanted to share a project that started unexpectedly and turned into something very special for me.

I found this Falcon in the bulk trash near my house here in South Florida. I had always wanted to work on a vintage bike project, so I picked it up thinking I would start small and see whether it could be brought back into rideable condition.

My original intention was restoration rather than modernization, clean, preserve, and keep as many original components as possible. The more I cleaned, polished, lubricated, and inspected the bike, the more surprised I became. It appeared to have seen relatively little use, and many of the original components were still in excellent condition.

At some point, the project shifted into what I would call “historic preservation mode.” It increasingly looked like I had stumbled onto what I’ve been calling my Falcon “Green Machine,” based on the distinctive early-1970s lime green finish.

Based on catalogue research (especially this excellent reference):
https://falconrestorebike.wordpress.com/catalogues/1973-catalogue/

I believe the bike is most likely a Falcon San Remo Model 94, designed by Ernie Clemens, circa 1973 (±1 year).

Here are the current specs as best as I’ve been able to document them:

San Remo – Designed by Ernie Clemens years between 1972-1974?

Frame: Reynolds 531 double-butted steel (SN: 4987)
Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record (Patent 1972)
Freewheel: Regina G-Scorse Merate
Wheels: 27" tubular racing rims / Campagnolo hubs
Crankset: Campagnolo
Brakes: Weinmann 610 Vainqueur 999
Levers: Weinmann
Pedals: Atom Quill 700
Saddle: Brooks B17
Handlebar: Cinelli Giro d’Italia

As many of you already know, Falcons can be difficult to date precisely, so I would truly appreciate any additional insight regarding year, model confirmation, original specification details, or catalogue references that might help narrow things down further.

I would especially be interested to know whether anyone recognizes the lime green finish as catalogue-correct for the San Remo in this period.
Mostly, I just wanted to share the bike with a community that appreciates these machines as much as I do. It’s been incredibly rewarding bringing this one back to the road!
View attachment 803367

That looks really nice.
 

Mandobob

Über Member
Location
Bristol
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!



View attachment 684539

Did I ever say I managed to track down a Côte d'Azur for me? Here is a photo. One previous owner, had it from new!
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!



View attachment 684539

Did I ever say I managed to find a Côte d'Azur for myself? One previous owner who bought it ne and rode it all his life!
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!



View attachment 684539

Did I ever say that I managed to find one of these for myself? One previous owner who bought it new!

IMG_6261 copy.jpeg
 

biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
Did I ever say I managed to track down a Côte d'Azur for me? Here is a photo. One previous owner, had it from new!


Did I ever say I managed to find a Côte d'Azur for myself? One previous owner who bought it ne and rode it all his life!


Did I ever say that I managed to find one of these for myself? One previous owner who bought it new!

View attachment 815751

That looks lovely and superb condition, I bet you are happy
 
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