r0ckh0und

I have interest in purchasing a Merckx Falcon. Guy says it's late 70s and it has a mishmash of parts.........Mavic tubulars laced to 600 hubs, chrome nervex lugs on headtube, Crane RD, 600 Cranks, Cinelli bars, Shimano dropouts, Dura Ace headset, FD and brakeset. It has scratched decals, worn paint and some corrosion on the chrome. He's was asking $400 but willing to $350. Sorry I can't move the pics over. Does this sound like it'd be worth persuing? It's my size and I'd likely keep it if it's a good fit. I have a full 600 group from that era I could outfit it with.

beech333

I think I remember seeing this one for sale. I'd be interested to find out if it is the one on the bottom of this page:

https://www.bikebrothers.co.uk/falcon...page01_800.jpg

It's just a guess, as I am not well acquainted with Falcons.

This may help too:

https://www.bikebrothers.co.uk/falconeddy.htm

What kind of tubulars does it have? They can be very expensive, so that may be an important factor.

Good luck R0ckh0und!

Want me to attach the picture?

r0ckh0und

Tubulars have been replaced recently with new Vittorias

beech333

The bike in question...not mine.

unterhausen

I'm annoyed that Falcon could make a bike that nice and all the ones we sold were painful to look at. Even the ones with Campagnolo NR.

r0ckh0und

I dug up this old thread with some good info and added mystery https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/32653-tell-me-all-about-vintage-merckxs.html

Soooooo.........is this a fair price for this bike? It has chrome lugs, integrated hanger and although the parts group is scattered they are well regarded. My insticts tell me this would be a reasonable investment..........anyone?

p.s..........much thanks to beech333 for his assistance.

beech333

Try PMing some of the more knowledgeable members or send a message through CR. They might not look in the appraisals section since it has been moved, but I bet they would help you out.

cudak888 

I'm not convinced it's a Falcon. Not even the '80s examples (which were noticeably better than the '70s crap) looked quite as well executed as this Nervex-lugged machine.

Amusing use of the DA-AX sticker as a badge

-Kurt

beech333

Hmmm, I guess that I should have recognized those.

r0ckh0und

Serial number on the bottom of BB is HTR320

retrofit 

I'm with cuda888. Why is the decal that is more typically on the down tube placed on the top tube? Also, what is blacked out by the "custom" paint job on the seat tube and head tube? Are there other qualities that indicate that this is a Merckx Falcon?

Nice lugs by the way.

beech333

Did you buy it?

r0ckh0und

Yes, I did purchase it. But now I am a bit perplexed as to what I should do with it. For now I will just clean it up a bit, ride it and see if I can find out more on it's origin. The previous owner bought it from a bike shop in South Elgin that sells used bikes, some on consignment including this one. As pictured it weighs in at about 22# which compares well to my Tange 1 Centurion.

Rear dropout spacing is 120mm

Also, the rear brake bridge has diamond shaped mounts at the seatstays.......I will get pics.

beech333

I hope that you like it. Might I be seeing it on the 9/25 ride?

What is the bike in your avatar?

r0ckh0und

I will probably ride this Centurion............the avatar is a Carlton Raleigh SC with the Capella lugs, sold over Labor Day weekend. It was much to large for me.