project cheap skate falcon

[artfulflounder]

Found this little falcon abandoned and unloved.

I know its nothing special or exclusive, but keeps me occupied and helps with my biking experience.
Frame number starts M8H so think its august 1978 possibly, 1988 seems to new for centre pull brakes.

Couldn't find much on line, looks similar to the olympic but has a normal falcon decal head badge.

Anyway here she is:

Has the Huret allvit long shifters and front/rear derailleurs although they are unuseable.
Weinmann centre pulls and turkey levers.
As i said nothing special at all but seems a shame to ignore the potential.....who said you cant polish a poo.

Out with the tools,tin foil, vinegar, t-cut and degreaser.

my budget on this is basically little as possible......have an old set of red dot weinmann which will go on. 20t freewheel with the 52t granny ring. The lyotard pedals and st.Christophe clips/straps cleaned up well.

Crying out for some nice 70s inspired shiny bar tape.

If anyone has another similary cheap falcon seat or something that would fit the bill i will be needing one as this ones got a split in.

 

[legrandefromage]

 

[artfulflounder]

Re:

Got a few boxes of old stock 50s-70s parts a while ago.

Thought I'd have a look.
Found a nice alloy pump that'll Polish up well, nos cable frame clip things.
Nos 1" headsets, bottom bracket cones, cups, bearings and tools.

A pletherer of sturmey archer hubs 50s onwards. Large rolls of nos spokes and nipples.
A well worn tool roll/ bag.

Not going to win any weight weenie awards

 

[Nob]

Think the garden area is also abandoned & unloved......

 

[Spokesmann]

Nice little project! I love those long Huret leavers, I have them on my Sun Chris Barber 10, I thought they were only for the stem mounted position...

 

[artfulflounder]

Re:

Managed to get some more done....bb and headset stripped and regreased.

Crankset cleaned up and parts box raided for a different set of levers.

I have a 20t freewheel, 1/8 chain,brake cables and gum wall tyres sorted.

Only thing i've had to purchase so far is some bar tape.

 

[artfulflounder]

Re:

I know not everyones cup of tea but its been a good learning experience.

Finding which are the better degreasers, chemicals for the paint and alloy components.
Servicing headset and bottom bracket.....so my required tools has expanded but at least i have them for the next project.

I wrapped the bars but took my time to cover the lever clamps first before taping. Tried to get a nice tight even coverage.

Crankset cleaned up well and found an old britton pump that also with a bit of elbow grease found itself a new home.

Spent ages cleaning up the wheels. The old tinfoil, vinegar and autosol. Soaking spoke nipples and wheel trueing.
Freewheel removal caused some issues. but a drift and a vice did the job. Note to self make sure to do it over a bin next time to catch the bearings.

But as it happens i had a set of 622x19 wheels with 700x33 vittoria randonneur tyres sat in the shed with nothing to do so these where bought into service.
Cold set rear stays for wider wheel and checked dish/ chainline.
All of which was a first for me.

An old brown suede turbo saddle also found a new home.

Just got to adjust the brakes and she's done.

As a cheap little project turned out reasonably well.....spent under £20 all in.

 

[legrandefromage]

looks alright!

 

[Cefnbikie]

An interesting and practical build. It reminds me of several builds I have done in the past to a low budget, where the resultant bikes have given a lot of pleasure when riding.