randyjawa 

Tom emailed me, regarding his old Falcon, which he hopes to build up as a Single Speed for his daughter. However, he lacks the mechanical skill and knowledge to do so. With that in mind, he would like to find someone close to his location to undertake the task. Basically, he wants...

"So, it basically comes down to the following
1. the frame to be freshly painted like the original. decals included
2. new and compatible components"

This is a picture of his bicycle and he is located in Den Bosch, Netherlands. If interested you can PMl me and I will send you his email address so that you guys can work out a deal between you. Hope someone is interested in taking on this project...

John E

He has a desirable bicycle with decent components. Why mess up a good thing by turning it into something far less versatile and capable? If you want single speed, just pick a gear you like, other than small-small crosschain, and leave it there. Then if you belatedly discover what gears are for, you still have the other ratios readily available.

rhenning

Ditto what John said. Many potential single speed wannabes find in a very short time they want the other gears. Don't get me wrong as I ride single speed almost all the time but I am never in a hurry to get some place (smell the roses) and do not mind grunting up the local hills. Roger

SquidPuppet

I don't understand the desire for the "original" look paint/decals when the rest of the project takes the bike so far away from original. That's not meant as a bash. I have converted geared bikes to single speeders, and just by doing so they lose their original flavor. IMO might as well go all the way with a stylish new paint job.

I'd offer to help but the commute would be cost prohibitive.

AlexCyclistRoch

Damn, how tall IS she? With a frame THAT big, she's gotta be nearly 2m tall.......

3alarmer 

.
...hey Randy, have you given him some idea of how much it costs to get a bike painted with new decals currently ? I can get a powdercoat here for about $125, and the appropriate decals for that would cost another 50 bucks (I did a Falcon here about a year ago for my own use, which is why I know.) That was the cheapest way I could get it done.

The single speed thing is componentry, which if he saves all th original stuff is reversible, I guess. But the paint in that photo does not look that bad to me, so maybe touching it up is the best option ?

Bikerider007

I think it would be cool to clean up and convert. I can't tell on the shifters but no derailleur hanger, no cable braze ons and the drop is not horizontal so he can get away with just a free wheel rim or remove his and add one of those adapters so he can keep wheels he has. Just hang onto the parts in case he sells.

I am in AZ or would help, good luck.

jgcycle

You can take of the big the chainring and the front der. and have a nice 5/6 speed. Its great to have a few extra gears. Maybe even stylish flat bars with a friction thumbie?

USAZorro

Why are we debating what someone decided they want to do with their bike? There's nothing wrong with wanting to freshen up your old bike and change it to a single speed - especially in a place as flat as the Netherlands. Hope someone can help Tom's daughter out.

squirtdad

this is a great suggestion for the owner IMHO

randyjawa 

Thanks for the input everyone but the owner of the bicycle wants someone (located closer to him than an old guy in Canada) else to build it for him. He also wants the bicycle done nicely and for his daughter. Hopefully, he is monitoring this thread.

Why single speed? As nearly as I can tell, a single speed that I built long ago captured his fancy and that is the way he wants to go...



Anyway, to reiterate, he is looking for someone, reasonably close to his location, to do the work for him. If any of you are interested, let me know and I will get you two together.

Pieps

Thanks all for your comments and especially to Randy for posting my question on my behalf.


I've changed my mind tho ...... no more single speed
Makes perfectly sense to me, thanks.


The main thing however, before replacing components, is now to clean up the bike and touch up some rusty spots.
That's where I'd need some professional help. That kind of help is hard to come by here in the Netherlands so it seems.
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.


Haha, no she's not 2m, fortunately
I'm 1.84 and she's 1.75m,so she'll be fine on this bike.


If anyone happens to know someone or a company here in the Netherlands or Belgium, or even the UK, that can restore the frame properly with a few touch ups here and there, please let me know.


Thank you all

Pieps

A great sugestion indeed. A 5-speed should be very attractive, leaving out the front derailleur and having just one big chainring, like the one on Randy's SS bike. She prefers the bull-horn bar, so that's the easiest part.


I found someone (in my hometown) who does only restore jobs on older bikes (even on pre-WW2 ones) with astonishing results. Now I need to find the right color. Any suggestions where to find it?
Maybe Randy knows.


I highly appreciate all of your input

randyjawa 

Not a clue. Best I can suggest is to take the bicycle to a paint shop and ask them to duplicate the color. Also, glad that you have found someone, near by, to assist you with the project.