Anyone recognise this Falcon?

[Spokesmann]

.........now here's an interesting bike,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Falco ... 20e802ed01

Shaun

Very 'Carlton' even down to the C nuts on the Valentino Extra rear mech. I had a similar mech on one of my Carltons from that period c1968-72

 

[non-fixie]

.........now here's an interesting bike,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Falco ... 20e802ed01

Shaun

I've looked at those, but the combination of chrome, stamped dropouts and wrap-over seat stays has not shown up yet. Not to mention the pump pegs on the TT. They did make me think that it may be a frame that Falcon built for another brand.

 

[non-fixie]

.........now here's an interesting bike,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Falco ... 20e802ed01

Shaun

Very 'Carlton' even down to the C nuts on the Valentino Extra rear mech. I had a similar mech on one of my Carltons from that period c1968-72

Thanks for chiming in, Spokesmann! I think I already came across your website when I bought my second 'lightweight' five years or so ago. A Carlton Continental. Lovely bike (learned what Crespera lugs were), but too small for me, alas (didn't know much about sizing back then) so it's gathering dust in my garage.

 

[Midlife]

I'm still not convinced that the frame is a 1970's or earlier Falcon.......I sold them, worked on them, went to the factory, Billy Holmes sorted out my Frame........ and nothing I have seen ever left the Falcon Factory before 1979 looking like that.

Shaun

 

[non-fixie]

I'm still not convinced that the frame is a 1970's or earlier Falcon.......I sold them, worked on them, went to the factory, Billy Holmes sorted out my Frame........ and nothing I have seen ever left the Falcon Factory before 1979 looking like that.

Shaun

Well, the only brands I know that have used that 'rolled' wrap-over seat stay arrangement were Falcon, Carlton and Raleigh. So if it's not a Falcon, logic dictates it's one of the other two. Or have I missed something?

 

[Old Ned]

From what someone who worked at Brigg told a mate of mine, Carlton and Falcon built for reach other (and several other companies) during busy periods. Mr Clements and Mr O'Donovan were good friends.

 

[gxaustin]

The rivets holding the badge on my 1976 Falcon Olympic are 58.5mm apart; in case that helps.

I have the wrap around stays but the lugs are much less fancy (basic bike).

I have a second very basic Falcon with similar simple lugs on the forks though.

 

[non-fixie]

Thanks, Ned. Guess that won't make things easier. :|

From what someone who worked at Brigg told a mate of mine, Carlton and Falcon built for reach other (and several other companies) during busy periods. Mr Clements and Mr O'Donovan were good friends.

 

[Little Al]

Re:

Looking at the wrap over seat stays & lugs I think it comes from Raleigh/ Carlton range I can not remember seeing a Falcon with that type of seat stay top tube set up ( stand corrected if any one knows different)

 

[non-fixie]

Thanks for bearing with me so far. I've been looking at the 'evidence' that has been collected so far, and as much as I'd like it to be a Carlton, there's one thing that bothers me. The Carltons I've seen so far were all built a lot better. None of the rough work seen on my frame.

The one bike that seems to be a really close match is the Falcon Merkx that Midlife linked to:

Except for the pump pegs and the chrome, all the details look the same: the lugs, the wrap-over seat stays, the cable stops, the dropouts and the rough finish.
And for what it's worth: it has the same cable clips and pedals that my bike came with.