Classic & Vintage - Falcon ID

Hi, I posted a few weeks ago but without pictures.
I bought this bike years ago with a 3 speed and flat bars. I have now put it back to road trim.
The frame is badged Ernie Clements, has Campagnolo rear drop outs, the chain and seat stays are half chromed as are the front forks. have a brazed on lamp mount. Front forks The only braze on is a triangle to stop shifters sliding. No bottle mounts. The 531 sticker, I think means plain gauge tubing on 3 tubes. I have not as yet found a frame no. I think it dates from mid 60's? It should have 27 inch wheels.
I've fitted MAFAC Racer brakes and levers.
GB bars with the map of England engraved.
Ambrosio Gran Prix stem.
Gran Sport chainset and Gran Sport matchbox front mech.
I'm too old to be riding 42 X 23 so have fitted gone for 42 X 28.
Had to lose the Gran Sport rear mech as it won't cope with 28 and reluctantly fitted a 105. I have a Simplex Prestige, but haven't checked if that will do 28.
It's got 700c wheels, I've built a new 27 front and need a few spokes to do the rear.
It rides great and keeps up with the carbons etc of my fellow old guys.
Hopefully the photos will help and any help will be much apprecited.
Peter Bristol UK

http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd375/nedrawnep/

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/falcon.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/743480-Falcon-Bikes-from-the-early-70s-what-do-you-know

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/Falcon/Falcon62review.htm

If you find more, I'd be interested in it.

http://velobase.com/Resource_Tools/CatalogScans.aspx has a downloadable
early 70's catalog scan that is interesting.

It's actually a little easier to find stuff on the Moteni Orange
Falcon Eddy Merckx bikes than on these.:(

From the chrome and dropouts, I'd think it was one of the better ones. The beige one at the CR site is mine; not sure how authentic the Cyclart repaint is, but seems to be from the 60s. Most parts original to how I found it, it was a medium metallic blue in sad shape.

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/Falcon/Falcon_Teds_bike.htm

Hi Peter and welcome to C & V, nice to find another member in the UK. I can't help with your bike ID, but seeing the name Ernie Clements reminded me of a recent chat I had with an old cyclist gent from Ludlow.

His father lives in Broseley near Telford and they both remember Ernie having a workshop in later life, over the road from his father's house. I think Ernie was a bit of a character and well known in the area, and a few people were aware of his financial difficulties. Things had got so bad Ernie was expecting an imminent visit from the bailiffs. At the back of his workshop was a disused mining pit, so Ernie had the bright idea of stashing all his frames down the pit. I don't think the bailiffs ever arrived and shortly after poor old Ernie became quite ill and never made it back to recover his frames.

The gentleman who I spoke to often sits with his 92 year old father, looking out over Ernies long gone workshop site, and wonder if Ernie's frames are still there.

Nothing to do with your bike, but an interesting bit of Ernie Clements history!

Based on the Reynolds 531 plain gauge tubing and Campagnolo Valentino front derailleur, the best candidate would appear to be a Model 92 San Remo.