Falcon Black Diamond - rebuilt

[cycletothesea]

Got this Falcon (Black Diamond) a few months ago in fairly good order, but couldn't resist stripping it right back and rebuilding to my own fancy and using up some components I've had hanging for a while. Some nice high-flange Pellisier hubs, bit of Shimano Arabesque and polishing up the Weinmann calipers (which proved a headache trying to find smooth cable route for). Stronglight crankset, and a nice Weinmann stem and Philips Guidon bars. I love a bit of handlebar wrap with shellac and twine any chance I get. Just need to find some classic flat pedals now.

 

[pigman]

Nice looking, good colour and transfers

 

[averagebiker]

Looks really good. I would love to see a picture or 3 of how it looked when you got it if you have any.
I would like to compare them to a late 70s falcon I have in the project pile that I think might be a Black Diamond too.
Rich

 

[cycletothesea]

Looks really good. I would love to see a picture or 3 of how it looked when you got it if you have any.
I would like. Compare them to a late 70s falcon o have in the project pile that I think might be a Black Diamond too.
Rich

Hi Rich, this is the only eBay screenshot of the original I have. Was in fairly good condition already. Only the brake calipers and front mech remain from that now though.

 

[averagebiker]

Thanks for the photo. Had it already been restomodded when you bought it? Some of the components look more modern than the frame?
Rich

 

[cycletothesea]

Thanks for the photo. Had it already been restomodded when you bought it? Some of the components look more modern than the frame?
Rich

Yeah, it was a bit of a mix of stuff. I'm not overly worried about having everything 'period correct', but think it has more of a classic feel to it now, probably much nearer the way it was originally. I like bikes to have classic lines and gear. That said though, as long as more modern components still have that feel about them, I'm happy to use them. Finding the exact bit of kit, from an exact year, from a particular factory is a real rabbit hole that I don't bother going down. I have a gorgeous Holdsworth Super Mistral that has a Shimano Claris derailleur, Campag crankset and levers, and Tektro long drop calipers and it looks f'ing lovely to me.

 

[averagebiker]

Like you i am not overly bothered about having everything factory correct etc but I agree that i like them to look relatively period. I am liking the shellac on the cloth tape. I may have to borrow that Is it proper shellac? Which if I remember from wood work class in the 80s was derived from ground up beetles!

 

[cycletothesea]

Like you i am not overly bothered about having everything factory correct etc but I agree that i like them to look relatively period. I am liking the shellac on the cloth tape. I may have to borrow that Is it proper shellac? Which if I remember from wood work class in the 80s was derived from ground up beetles!

You can buy shellac flakes on the net, and then dissolve them in rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), or you can buy a bottle of clear French Polish, which is basically the same stuff. Have used both. Nice piece here: https://velo-orange.com/pages/shellac-and-bar-tape-a-guide

 

[satkin55]

That's a lovely looking Black Diamond. I'm waiting to get mine back from the resprayer so I can rebuild it. It's a 1978 so later than yours. Can't beat them in red though.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Got to love a nice Falcon, ride and enjoy