Show your Falcon
#1
señor miembro
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,623
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3886 Post(s)
Liked 6,481 Times
in
3,206 Posts
Show your Falcon
I was surprised to find no 5-, 10-, or (likely) 20-page thread on Falcons after searching the subforum by thread title. So, maybe this one will take off.
I'm guessing this is from '87, a 531c frameset, originally with an all Victory group. I've gone with mostly Triomphe with some Victory thrown in (caliper locknuts, rear mech). I have a Triomphe wheelset for it, too, but its hard anodized Araya rims are a little heavy. I added the missing seat tube decal (from H Lloyd Cycles).
.
I'm guessing this is from '87, a 531c frameset, originally with an all Victory group. I've gone with mostly Triomphe with some Victory thrown in (caliper locknuts, rear mech). I have a Triomphe wheelset for it, too, but its hard anodized Araya rims are a little heavy. I added the missing seat tube decal (from H Lloyd Cycles).
.
Likes For SurferRosa:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: The Urban Shores Of Michigami
Posts: 1,749
Bikes: ........................................ .....Holdsworth "Special"..... .......Falcon "Special".......... .........Miyata 912........... ........................................
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 702 Post(s)
Liked 672 Times
in
420 Posts
Last edited by branko_76; 05-19-20 at 12:50 PM.
Likes For branko_76:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 936
Bikes: 1968 Raleigh Super Course, 1972 Raleigh Professional, 1975 Raleigh International, 1978 Raleigh Professional, 1985 Raleigh Prestige, 1972 Schwinn Paramount, 1980 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8, 1960 Carlton Franco Suisse Peugeot PX10, 1972 Motobecane Le Champ
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 323 Post(s)
Liked 690 Times
in
351 Posts
No previous “Show Your Falcon” thread is surprising, thanks for filling the void. That bike is a very nice thread starter SurferRosa! Those Campy components are beautiful. I’d like to help make this thread take off, this frame was acquired by trade from someone who cleans out homes and businesses for estate sales. It had previously hung in an antique shop for many years. I relinquished a too small but still nice 1988 Shimano 105 equipped trek 560 to get it. Some members here on bike forums confirmed for me that it’s a San Remo 76 with a probable replacement fork. The fork is very close in appearance to what would have come on the bike originally and has Campy dropouts but has fender eyelets where there are none on the rear. It also has a slightly different crown. I’ll post more photos after I build the bike but that will likely be awhile. I have several projects going at the same time and each one seems to take until practically forever to complete.
Last edited by Pcampeau; 05-19-20 at 12:42 PM.
Likes For Pcampeau:
#4
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,832 Times
in
2,229 Posts
Away from home - only limited, recent images.
IMHO, Falcon gets lesser respect in USA, than perhaps deserved. I have my guesses, but would love to hear other, more informed opinions.
Here’s my Falcon, frameset purchased from Brewsmith.1989, 531c, size 58. On the smallish side for me but quick as spit and can be fast as lightning, if the engine is lubed/tuned. Sort of a mutly build. But a Falcon headset , that is = Tangé Falcon headset . Campy ders/shifters, Modolo brakes/levers, tubulars. Pictured running 25mm rear, 23 front tire. Gyes saddle with cutout.
IMHO, Falcon gets lesser respect in USA, than perhaps deserved. I have my guesses, but would love to hear other, more informed opinions.
Here’s my Falcon, frameset purchased from Brewsmith.1989, 531c, size 58. On the smallish side for me but quick as spit and can be fast as lightning, if the engine is lubed/tuned. Sort of a mutly build. But a Falcon headset , that is = Tangé Falcon headset . Campy ders/shifters, Modolo brakes/levers, tubulars. Pictured running 25mm rear, 23 front tire. Gyes saddle with cutout.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 05-20-20 at 03:07 PM.
Likes For Wildwood:
Likes For garryg:
#6
Senior Member
A Falcon I put a lot of work into. Something broke every single ride on this thing! Used to love puncturing inner tubes as well. After thinking it was finally a reliable bike I sold it to a friend last weekend. Axle bolt snapped on his first outing with it. I just gave him the money back and told him he's welcome to keep it!
Very much a love hate thing here. Think it's a Westminster, although really not sure.
Last edited by Funktopus; 05-20-20 at 02:42 PM.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 55
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix Elite, Flandria, Pinarello Montello Cromonero, schwinn world sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
13 Posts
Here's mine, always a smooth ride. I think it was probably bronze.
Likes For Johnnybikes:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: The Urban Shores Of Michigami
Posts: 1,749
Bikes: ........................................ .....Holdsworth "Special"..... .......Falcon "Special".......... .........Miyata 912........... ........................................
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 702 Post(s)
Liked 672 Times
in
420 Posts
#9
Full Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Campbell River BC
Posts: 461
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Liked 331 Times
in
141 Posts
I sold the Falcon. One of maybe two of thirty bikes i have sold that i wished i had kept. The rattle can paint job looked good but was a bit fragile.
Likes For garryg:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: The Urban Shores Of Michigami
Posts: 1,749
Bikes: ........................................ .....Holdsworth "Special"..... .......Falcon "Special".......... .........Miyata 912........... ........................................
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 702 Post(s)
Liked 672 Times
in
420 Posts
Likes For branko_76:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: The Urban Shores Of Michigami
Posts: 1,749
Bikes: ........................................ .....Holdsworth "Special"..... .......Falcon "Special".......... .........Miyata 912........... ........................................
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 702 Post(s)
Liked 672 Times
in
420 Posts
My next project....
Likes For branko_76:
#12
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,998
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1955 Post(s)
Liked 3,661 Times
in
1,679 Posts
Last summer. This year its going to drink the 650b koolade. This one had a 26.6 seat post, a derailleur hanger and was a blast to ride until a pickup truck forced me into a curb. I think i got the fork straight yesterday but i havnt ridden it yet.
Likes For 52telecaster:
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: The Urban Shores Of Michigami
Posts: 1,749
Bikes: ........................................ .....Holdsworth "Special"..... .......Falcon "Special".......... .........Miyata 912........... ........................................
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 702 Post(s)
Liked 672 Times
in
420 Posts
52telecaster , nice setup! You have a higher-end Falcon with the wrap-around seat-stays and forged dropouts. Sorry to hear about that pick-up truck.
Your fork looks similar to the one I just posted, the blades appear more round than oval.
Do you have Weinmann 610 calipers on the front and rear?
Your fork looks similar to the one I just posted, the blades appear more round than oval.
Do you have Weinmann 610 calipers on the front and rear?
Likes For Mr. 66:
#15
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,998
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1955 Post(s)
Liked 3,661 Times
in
1,679 Posts
52telecaster , nice setup! You have a higher-end Falcon with the wrap-around seat-stays and forged dropouts. Sorry to hear about that pick-up truck.
Your fork looks similar to the one I just posted, the blades appear more round than oval.
Do you have Weinmann 610 calipers on the front and rear?
Your fork looks similar to the one I just posted, the blades appear more round than oval.
Do you have Weinmann 610 calipers on the front and rear?
Likes For 52telecaster:
#16
señor miembro
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,623
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3886 Post(s)
Liked 6,481 Times
in
3,206 Posts
Was it too big? I know these aren't for everyone.
You seem to build up and later part out a lot of frames. I have the patience to do the first part, but not the latter...
#17
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1392 Post(s)
Liked 1,324 Times
in
836 Posts
In the immortal words of Charlie Harding ("C. Harding's For Bikes," which was just south of the UCLA campus in to 1960s and 1970s), "A Falcon is a good English bike."
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
Likes For John E:
#18
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1392 Post(s)
Liked 1,324 Times
in
836 Posts
Ah ... Campag. Valentino, literally the Edsel of derailleurs. (Valentino Campagnolo and Edsel Ford were sons of their respective fathers.)
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,299
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1142 Post(s)
Liked 1,740 Times
in
961 Posts
Their late '80s 531c frame is pretty nice. Easy to build up. Light, lively, but feels solid. I find myself easily bunny hopping bigger road bumps. Inspires lots of confidence.
Was it too big? I know these aren't for everyone.
You seem to build up and later part out a lot of frames. I have the patience to do the first part, but not the latter...
Was it too big? I know these aren't for everyone.
You seem to build up and later part out a lot of frames. I have the patience to do the first part, but not the latter...
Likes For Mr. 66:
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Normal, Illinois
Posts: 2,714
Bikes: Trek 600 ,1980Raleigh Competition G.S., 1986 Schwinn Passage, Facet Biotour 2000, Falcon San Remo 531,Schwinn Sierra, Sun Seeker tricycle recumbent,1985 Bianchi Squadra
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
I got a nice San Remo from a local flipper who found it on the curb. He didn't want to deal with the cottered crank. I did. I'm thinking about tubulars for this. Campy drivetrain, and Mafac Racer brakes. I may consider 650b conversion as well, 52telecaster has many great ideas. Just another member of the 531 Club hanging out at my house.
Likes For Gravity Aided:
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,299
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1142 Post(s)
Liked 1,740 Times
in
961 Posts
I got a nice San Remo from a local flipper who found it on the curb. He didn't want to deal with the cottered crank. I did. I'm thinking about tubulars for this. Campy drivetrain, and Mafac Racer brakes. I may consider 650b conversion as well, 52telecaster has many great ideas. Just another member of the 531 Club hanging out at my house.
#22
señor miembro
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,623
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3886 Post(s)
Liked 6,481 Times
in
3,206 Posts
My '87 Falcon got its pedals and straps switched around from a couple other bikes.
Actually switched four sets of pedals between four of my bikes. It's like something new was added on each one. The blue nylon campy straps here sorta work with the blue in the seat tube decal. (There was more blue in the decal, but I trimmed it.) The bike originally came with a Victory group, so these Victory pedals are right at home.
Actually switched four sets of pedals between four of my bikes. It's like something new was added on each one. The blue nylon campy straps here sorta work with the blue in the seat tube decal. (There was more blue in the decal, but I trimmed it.) The bike originally came with a Victory group, so these Victory pedals are right at home.
Last edited by SurferRosa; 09-05-20 at 05:01 PM.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Greenwood SC USA
Posts: 2,252
Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 823 Post(s)
Liked 1,395 Times
in
694 Posts
My apologies - these are old scans of 35 mm pix I took nearly 20 years ago! I bought the frame for $45 at the 2001 Cirque du Cyclisme and built it up with oddments. It had a 531 db main triangle anyway, as it took a 27.2 seat post. I really liked it as a fixed-gear, and thought the handling was dandy. It would move, too, especially when I felt motivated to really punch it. It was just a little bit too small for me in the end, though, and I sold it on in late 2002. I would love to find its slightly bigger, say 23.5-in sibling someday.
#24
Senior Member
Falcon Victory.
Likes For rjhammett:
#25
Falcon fan
My Black Diamond
I have a Falcon Black Diamond, 1977 or 78 vintage. I’ve owned it since I was a teenager. I haven’t ridden it for over 10 years, but have decided it is time to do it up,
The paint is badly faded, and scratched, so will need a respray. Apart from the rear wheel and bar tape everything is original, or added by me at the time. I was going to remove the mudguards and rack but my wife says she loves them (they are her favourite part) so they are now staying!
it needs some replacement components: the saddle (too far gone to save), straps for the toe clips (the leather has not lasted well), crank dust cap (lost one), new bar tape and cables. I’ll treat it to some new wheels as well.
Hopefully with a lot of TLC and careful polishing most bits should come up well.
I can’t post pictures on link yet (I haven’t made enough posts) but I’m keeping a record of progress on a blog (link in my profile) so pop by and see the latest update.
https://falconrestorebike.wordpress.com/
The paint is badly faded, and scratched, so will need a respray. Apart from the rear wheel and bar tape everything is original, or added by me at the time. I was going to remove the mudguards and rack but my wife says she loves them (they are her favourite part) so they are now staying!
it needs some replacement components: the saddle (too far gone to save), straps for the toe clips (the leather has not lasted well), crank dust cap (lost one), new bar tape and cables. I’ll treat it to some new wheels as well.
Hopefully with a lot of TLC and careful polishing most bits should come up well.
I can’t post pictures on link yet (I haven’t made enough posts) but I’m keeping a record of progress on a blog (link in my profile) so pop by and see the latest update.
https://falconrestorebike.wordpress.com/
Last edited by satkin55; 01-19-23 at 10:00 AM.
Likes For satkin55: