Bicycle Addict

Hi guys while waiting for some photos to load up on here last night I checked the local auction site and Bam bought another bike. $20
Do not know about Falcons, though I know i already like this one. i would love to know the model?

Thanks guys.

rhm

The frames look pretty much alike from the distance; you have to check out the dropouts and the tubing, and the components, to identify the model. Let's have some closeup photos from the drive side, when you get a chance, and maybe we'll figure something out. Judging by what I can see of the crank and the shifters (Simplex) I'm guessing this is not a high end model, but even so it may have a straight gauge 531 frame that's really quite nice. I've already ridden one 5 miles today.

Bicycle Addict

Bike is at the other end of the North Island where I will be going on the 18th of next month. I will ask seller to send me more pics.
Thanks guys.

non-fixie 

I'd say late seventies Falcon Olympic. Nice.

zukahn1 

Not high end but looks like a fairly decent Olympic solid functional ten speed for $20 seems like a great deal. Should be fine to ride with a little TLC and worth at least $140 with little fix up maybe more depending on actual tubing and components.

unworthy1

+2 it looks like an Olympic: plain gauge 531 and the Sugino Maxy crank was stock.
Here's a review of one from a 1975 issue of Bicycling, this particular bike came in candy red with 27" wheels and Ideale saddle...$210 back in '75, so you did really well!
<------ Bicycling Magazine 08-1975 ------> Falcon Olympic 78 (Scan courtesy of Robt. Broderick)

non-fixie 

Thanks for that scan, @unworthy1. Hadn't seen that yet. Interesting test, BTW:

Bicycle Addict

I think it is a Falcon Olympic, it looks like that in the pic?
The seller will not respond to my emails other than sending me his Bank details.
Being English are they ISO threads or Raleigh?
I have seen a 100 best bikes feature in Bicycle(England) magazine for the '83 model that listed the componentry set as Shimano 600 EX GS? I hope this is it??
Will try to call trader soon.

unworthy1

threading will be BSC/ISO, not Raleigh...doubt this is as late as '83, more likely mid-to-late '70s.

Bicycle Addict

So he sent me a couple more pics,


Looks like the shifters are Shimano "Fingertip" shifters so I am guessing the the Derailleurs are Altus? Was hoping for 600, but I am very happy with how the bike looks for the price.

zazenzach

i hope you know youre way around a bike, because if not, youre going to have to pay a bike shop atleast $100 to get that fixed up for you.

at the very least it needs a new chain.

Bicycle Addict

I will be okay Thanks, I have enough parts Shimano or Suntour to do a complete rebuild if I have to, I have wheels to replace what looks like steel rims?
Plan is to get it going and assess, I will keep it if it is the right size, although I can get probably $120-$140 for it when I get back to Auckland, $100-$120 profit would be nice!?
I will lube and true wheels, tune gears, and repack grease if I need too. I will just clean chain and re lube to see how much work is needed, before I get too carried away.

unworthy1

the RD looks to be a SunTour, something with a claw on it, possibly a "V" of some kind. The FD looks like one of the SunTours with a lot of holes in the cage, like a Compe-V.

Bicycle Addict

Thanks unworthy1 I will try to retain as much of the original gear as possible. I like most of the Suntour stuff I have had before(V-GT, VX, Suntour 7, BL, Cyclone.) has run very ell, how do these derailleurs rate?
Not long until I go get it now, I am driving form Auckland to Wellington(660km, 372 miles) on the 18th for my 5 year old's 6th birthday, I asked him "What do you want to do for your birthday?", he said "Go to Wellington please Daddy?" I said "Awesome . . Yes"