pre ‘81 Falcon Majorca
- Thread starter Andy B
- Start date
titch__16
Retro Guru
If you still want info on this I can give it a shot 
The frame design seems to be very similar to 2 of my soon to start projects which from the 70's. Falcon's back them days were handbuilt in Brigg, along with some claudbutlers. Like alot of bikes back then its a 10-speed and will have originally been built up as a road racer with drop bars. They often used Weinmann brakes and Rigida rims. Not the most expensive or desirable bikes to most people but some (me) still regard them to be british engineering at it's best. One of mine for comparison:
The frame design seems to be very similar to 2 of my soon to start projects which from the 70's. Falcon's back them days were handbuilt in Brigg, along with some claudbutlers. Like alot of bikes back then its a 10-speed and will have originally been built up as a road racer with drop bars. They often used Weinmann brakes and Rigida rims. Not the most expensive or desirable bikes to most people but some (me) still regard them to be british engineering at it's best. One of mine for comparison:
Featch
Devout Dirtbag
Andy, your bike will be pre 1981. I was in charge of frame design and production at Falcon in Brigg during 1981 and I remember we decided to braze on top tube cable guides on all frames. The dealers loved the Shimano 600.
Not top notch bikes but actually all hand built and value for money. Some of the builders, both male and female, would hand braze more frames in a week than a custom builder would in several years, consequently they had very high skill levels and I had no qualms about them building 753 frames for the Falcon pro team. When I was there there was a team of around 12 producing 400 frames a week.
Not top notch bikes but actually all hand built and value for money. Some of the builders, both male and female, would hand braze more frames in a week than a custom builder would in several years, consequently they had very high skill levels and I had no qualms about them building 753 frames for the Falcon pro team. When I was there there was a team of around 12 producing 400 frames a week.
Southcoast
Dirt Disciple
Re: Late 70's early '80's Falcon...
Looks like a Falcon Majorca. Tange champion no 5 tubing?
Looks like a Falcon Majorca. Tange champion no 5 tubing?
smith931
Retro Newbie
Re:
Falcon is a British company. Elswick-Hopper group purchased Falcon brand. Later on, become Elswick-Falcon 1982. In 1987 purchased by Holdsworth including Claud Butler. Ernie Clements was one of the best designer. His name was used on some of their bike models. Barry Hobans name was also used few times on their bikes.
Before the whole firm was acquired by Townsend (1991), who had also acquired Ernie Clement's old firm Coventry Eagle. Mr Clements moved to Ledbury and ran his own cycling shop from 1989 until his death in 2006.
Falcon is a British company. Elswick-Hopper group purchased Falcon brand. Later on, become Elswick-Falcon 1982. In 1987 purchased by Holdsworth including Claud Butler. Ernie Clements was one of the best designer. His name was used on some of their bike models. Barry Hobans name was also used few times on their bikes.
Before the whole firm was acquired by Townsend (1991), who had also acquired Ernie Clement's old firm Coventry Eagle. Mr Clements moved to Ledbury and ran his own cycling shop from 1989 until his death in 2006.
hoogerbooger
Retro Newbie
Re:
Definitely a Falcon Majorca.
I bought one in 1981. Frame the same.Can't remember cable runs. In addition to the 600ex arabesque rd fd and levers, mine had SR Sakae stem & drops; SR Lapride seat pin & SR Custom Chainset; Shimano tourney brakes.
Can't remember much about the wheels but the were pretty basic.
I would have been limitted in budget and it did me well. Did some touring on it but the brakes weren't up to Pyranean descents and too high gearing (12 speed). Going up one pass my missus on her 18 speed Revell Romany dropped me big time and she had the food and the money. With my kneecaps about to ping off and a Vulture circling over head I decided a new bike needed......2nd hand Raleigh Randonneur bought & still happily used.However happy memories of times out on my Majorca.
(I believe I met Mr Clements when I dropped into the shop in Ledbury.He said the Falcon bikes including mine were his)
Definitely a Falcon Majorca.
I bought one in 1981. Frame the same.Can't remember cable runs. In addition to the 600ex arabesque rd fd and levers, mine had SR Sakae stem & drops; SR Lapride seat pin & SR Custom Chainset; Shimano tourney brakes.
Can't remember much about the wheels but the were pretty basic.
I would have been limitted in budget and it did me well. Did some touring on it but the brakes weren't up to Pyranean descents and too high gearing (12 speed). Going up one pass my missus on her 18 speed Revell Romany dropped me big time and she had the food and the money. With my kneecaps about to ping off and a Vulture circling over head I decided a new bike needed......2nd hand Raleigh Randonneur bought & still happily used.However happy memories of times out on my Majorca.
(I believe I met Mr Clements when I dropped into the shop in Ledbury.He said the Falcon bikes including mine were his)
