1970/80s Falcon made Eddy Merckx Project

cal_stewart
cal_stewart Posts: 1,840
edited January 2017 in Your road bikes
Current Picture:
image_zps4zgxgxtx.jpeg

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
eating parmos since 1981

Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Aero 09
Cervelo P5 EPS
www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13038799

Comments

  • cal_stewart
    cal_stewart Posts: 1,840
    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:

    image_zps4zgxgxtx.jpeg

    Weird Fork Nut:

    image_zpscycnf2qf.jpeg

    Picture CB branded Stem:

    image_zpsehzaz1l9.jpeg

    Simplex Mech:

    image_zpse0od3ybh.jpeg

    Huret Shifters:

    image_zps8qedbvpa.jpeg

    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
    eating parmos since 1981

    Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Aero 09
    Cervelo P5 EPS
    www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13038799
  • bbrap
    bbrap Posts: 610
    The bolt on the right leg probably had a small bracket designed to hold a battery powered lamp. My Elswick has one.
    Rose Xeon CDX 3100, Ultegra Di2 disc (nice weather)
    Ribble Gran Fondo, Campagnolo Centaur (winter bike)
    Van Raam 'O' Pair
    Land Rover (really nasty weather :lol: )
  • cal_stewart
    cal_stewart Posts: 1,840
    Cheers, makes perfect sense. Off to buy some brakes
    eating parmos since 1981

    Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Aero 09
    Cervelo P5 EPS
    www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13038799
  • Salsa
    Salsa Posts: 753
    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
    lesfirth Posts: 1,382
    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
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    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
    cal_stewart Posts: 1,840
    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
    eating parmos since 1981

    Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Aero 09
    Cervelo P5 EPS
    www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13038799
  • cal_stewart
    cal_stewart Posts: 1,840
    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.
    eating parmos since 1981

    Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Aero 09
    Cervelo P5 EPS
    www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13038799
  • pinno
    pinno Posts: 51,195
    Jeezo, this is taking time... :roll:
    seanoconn - gruagach craic!
  • 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 .
  • CB is a french stem and bar manufacturer. I have a similar frame 117mm spacing so a 3 speed SA hub is going in.
    www.thecycleclinic.co.uk
  • koen
    koen Posts: 13
    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:
    Rose X-Lite Six Ultegra DI2
    Ribble CGR SL 105
    Canyon Lux CF 6.9 Pro
    Triban 100