1970/80s Falcon made Eddy Merckx Project

cal_stewart

Current Picture:


Current Spec:

Frame: !970/80s Falcon made Eddy Merckx
Forks: As Above with a strange bolt in right leg
Bars: Unbranded flat
Stem: CB Branded (Claud Butler?) Quill stem
Headset: 1" Threaded
Bar Tape: 5€ Cube MTB Grips

Front Brake Lever: Weinmann
Front Caliper: Weinmann (death trap)
Rear Brake Lever: Weinmann
Rear Caliper: Weinmann

Shifters: Huret down tube
Cables: Cheap
Front Mech: Huret
Rear Mech: Simplex

Seat: Non branded turbo rip off with half a rotten leather toe strap still attached
Seat Post: Unbranded Alloy
Seat Post Clamp:

Cranks: Unbranded
Chainring(s): Unbranded
Chain: Unbranded
Cassette: Unbranded
Pedals: Unbranded
Bottom Bracket: Unbranded square tapered

Front Wheel: Unbranded 27"
Rim: Unbranded
Spokes: Unbranded
Hub: Unbranded
Tube: Unbranded
Tire: Unbranded

Back Wheel: Unbranded 27"
Rim: Unbranded
Spokes: Unbranded
Hub: Unbranded
Tube: Unbranded
Tire: Unbranded

Accessories: Rust

Weight: Metric Tonne

cal_stewart

I've started to rebuild and ride a old bike gifted to me by a friend.

I'll updated the first post as time goes by and keep it current.

First off I really don't have a clue when it comes to old bikes as I only started out with road bikes in 2004 so all i've ever used is sti's and 700cc sized wheels. I'm going to slowly update and replace things over the next couple of years as time allows. Ordering long reach brakes tonight as a starter.

I'll need some help and advice along the way probably from the old guard. As an idea I'm going to fit a modern gruppo, drop bars and 700cc wheels, maybe even repaint it.

Anyway can anyone help with a few questions?

1. Has anyone come across a falcon made Merckx and share some info on it.
2. Can anyone tell me the reason for the bolts on the fork, its only on the right side?
3. Is any of it worth anything before I start binning things.

Starting Point:



Weird Fork Nut:



Picture CB branded Stem:



Simplex Mech:



Huret Shifters:



Original Spec:

Frame: !970/80s Falcon made Eddy Merckx
Forks: As Above with a strange bolt in right leg
Bars: Unbranded flat
Stem: CB Branded (Claud Butler?) Quill stem
Headset: 1" Threaded
Bar Tape: 5€ Cube MTB Grips

Front Brake Lever: Weinmann
Front Caliper: Weinmann (death trap)
Rear Brake Lever: Weinmann
Rear Caliper: Weinmann

Shifters: Huret down tube
Cables: Cheap
Front Mech: Huret
Rear Mech: Simplex

Seat: Non branded turbo rip off with half a rotten leather toe strap still attached
Seat Post: Unbranded Alloy
Seat Post Clamp:

Cranks: Unbranded
Chainring(s): Unbranded
Chain: Unbranded
Cassette: Unbranded
Pedals: Unbranded
Bottom Bracket: Unbranded square tapered

Front Wheel: Unbranded 27"
Rim: Unbranded
Spokes: Unbranded
Hub: Unbranded
Tube: Unbranded
Tire: Unbranded

Back Wheel: Unbranded 27"
Rim: Unbranded
Spokes: Unbranded
Hub: Unbranded
Tube: Unbranded
Tire: Unbranded

Accessories: Rust

Weight: Metric Tonne

bbrap

The bolt on the right leg probably had a small bracket designed to hold a battery powered lamp. My Elswick has one.

cal_stewart

Cheers, makes perfect sense. Off to buy some brakes

Salsa

Sorry to bear bad news but those old Falcon made Merckx bikes were cheap cash ins on his name and most were really low end.
Things like the lack of a built in derailleur hanger, bottom end parts and basic hi tensile frame show off it's lack of class, sorry!
Just google Falcon Merckx to learn a bit more.

lesfirth

The funny bolt thing on the forks is indeed for fitting your front light. However at the time they were fitted no serious cyclist would be seen dead on a bike with one. They were the sort of thing that your dad had on his going to work bike.

keef66

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19732244#p19732244]lesfirth[/url] wrote:

The funny bolt thing on the forks is indeed for fitting your front light. However at the time they were fitted no serious cyclist would be seen dead on a bike with one. They were the sort of thing that your dad had on his going to work bike.

And trying to kick the light back into life while riding can lead to your foot going into the spokes / abrupt halt / forward roll / rider's testicles pinned to road by now inverted bike / OW OW OW QUICKGETUP HOPE NOBODY LOOKING...

cal_stewart

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19731956#p19731956]Salsa[/url] wrote:

Sorry to bear bad news but those old Falcon made Merckx bikes were cheap cash ins on his name and most were really low end.
Things like the lack of a built in derailleur hanger, bottom end parts and basic hi tensile frame show off it's lack of class, sorry!
Just google Falcon Merckx to learn a bit more.

Cheers, was thinking the same. I've an a set of old model bs and thinking of going single speed will be getting parts from eBay so for £150 should have a useable bike for pottering with the kids

cal_stewart

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19731999#p19731999]cyd190468[/url] wrote:

Are you sure you need new brakes. There is only 4mm difference in the radius of a 630 wheel to a 622 wheel. I converted an old 27inch to 700c and the brakes were fine, horrible but fine.

Yeah the current wienman brakes should be outlawed.

pinno

Jeezo, this is taking time... :roll:

andyconlo

Who cares if Falcon eddy merkx were low end I've just bought one in excellent original condition it's pretty bomb prof and a good useable bike the rear derailleur is Shimano eagle
Described by Sheldon Brown as one of the best shifters of its era obviously heavy but indestructible .

thecycleclinic

CB is a french stem and bar manufacturer. I have a similar frame 117mm spacing so a 3 speed SA hub is going in.

koen

bbrap said:

The bolt on the right leg probably had a small bracket designed to hold a battery powered lamp. My Elswick has one.

Or if it was made in Belgium it could have been to hold a plate that confirmed that u payed the tax for "roadvehicles".
Something like this:

oxoman

My first road bike was a ten speed falcon and they came with a lamp bracket already on the fork for a lamp as bbrap mentioned. Sometimes wish I'd still got it, certainly did some miles on it.