The British bike thread

[paton]

Someone on eBay has plenty of interesting old catalogues

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16675880...p+4RK9PuuHSxm5qCurWrVBSA==|tkp:Bk9SR-bDyfjxYw
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16674618...R0Q2DX&hash=item26d2d8cef0:g:c4EAAOSwQPZmNoHe
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16676019...PAJ5GT&hash=item26d3aeadb7:g:VsUAAOSwe5JmQmKO
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16676039...H76G6F&hash=item26d3b1c35d:g:hQMAAOSwrxRmQokQ
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16673820...9ZP308&hash=item26d25f148a:g:vmQAAOSwrnxmL~k2
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16667594...08ZXNX&hash=item26cea91baa:g:EnoAAOSwVARmBeB7
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16675257...MB7KFN&hash=item26d33a56c2:g:gWsAAOSwcJ9mO9da
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16675878...mbZ7vN2V1MWSCiMyjM2CXXLlWa|tkp:Bk9SR-zCovnxYw

 

[paton]

Falcon cycles

https://www.facebook.com/groups/420299898952985/

 

[paton]

There was mention of Falcon frames, some where, with wrap around seat stays.
Similar to Carlton frames.

"Elswick-Hopper" on here mentions a connection between Falcon and Raleigh (Carlton).

https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/threads/falcon-cycles-smethwick.38696/
"Well Bill, where to start. I could just refer you to my book: Elswick-Hopper The story of a great British cycle maker, £18 if you order it from Waterstones, but that would be cheeky. The sequence of events is as follows: Ernie Clements goes bust and takes a job with Roberts Cycle Industries at Smethwick. He becomes works manager and talks management into letting him develop a sports range. According to Frank Clements he and Ernie find a box of old Falcon transfers in the loft at RCI and think it's a good name. So the Falcon brand is born in 1955/6. I actually have a frame with a Falcon/RCI headbadge. Coventry Eagle then move to Smethwick and take over RCI, including Ernie C. Note the owner is now Coventry Eagle - MD Mayo and they like the Falcon idea so incorporate as one of the CE range. On to 1968 and the site is being redeveloped at the same time that Elswick-Hopper is diversifying and has spare factory space. So CE relocates to Barton on Humber, my home town since 1971. Douglas Mayo has a car smash and retires - Ernie buys him out and becomes MD. He renames the firm Falcon Cycles. He then decides the Barton works are a bit old and buys a factory in Brigg, relocating in 1978 (ish). Runs out of money and sells to Elswick-Hopper with a seat on the main board. Persuades them to open a brand new factory in Newport Wales, and in 1983 when he has had enough he sells his shares for the Newport factory - where he has also hired the great Barry Hoban. That venture cost Barry dear when it went bust in the 1990s. So Falcon is now part of Elswick-Hopper Cycles, part of Elswick plc. Then becomes Elswick-Falcon and is finally sold to Casket plc. It has never been part of Raleigh TI though Raleigh TI did supply most of the E-H range from around 1967-1979 on a deal that saw Raleigh badging production on behalf of Elswick-Hopper. The latter was able to undercut their supplier's own range! So there you go - don't believe all you read on the net. Questions?"

 

[dorset boy]

 

[dorset boy]

STRATALITE SOUTH of FRANCE.

 

[chickendrumsticks]

STRATALITE SOUTH of FRANCE.
View attachment 850652View attachment 850653

Bars look a bit low.

 

[grantoury]

Aero innit

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

 

[chickendrumsticks]

View attachment 850676

A great way to sell air with a bit of chocolate.

 

[canny colin]

Ken Rodgers with Trykit 2 wheel drive conversion. Outside an Audax hotel