Ernie Clement Falcon
 

I just bought this bike for $65 but can't seem to find out the year. Does anyone have any idea?

Hi,
Better pics (close ups and drive side) of the bike would be helpful...and before you say not enough post to uplink images, go to the introductions section and say hello to 9 members, make 9 new friends on the forum...post pics. :thumb:
Regards, Ben

Heya, it will be late 70's early 80's as it does not have the wrap around seat stay of the early Falcons.

Early 1970's low-end Falcons lacked wrap-around seat-stays and derailleur cable braze-on's.

they put out a lot of orange bikes in the years they had a branding deal with Eddy Merckx.
Can't see enough of yours to know if it's one of those.

Falcon Eddie Merckx - Bike Forums

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic...bicycles.../649218-falcon-eddie-merckx.html

May 27, 2010 - Falcon Eddie Merckx - Hello forum members, I'm sure I'm not the only ... these Eddy Merckx-branded Falcons are even worth considering.
Falcon Merckx? - Bike Forums
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Eddie Merckx by Falcon - Bike Forums
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Falcon Eddy Merckx bikes at the 1974 New York Bike Show ...
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Eddy Merckx Bike Value? - Bike Forums
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Time Is Money? Never Bought Into That: Too Expensive.
 

Though you are correct that some of the early low end Falcons lacked the signature wrap around seat stays, (which may be present, I can't tell from the photo), even the top of the line San Remo Equipe lacked brazed on derailleur guides. See, for example, this 72-73 Equipe.

Wing nuts on front wheel suggest an early model, and along with the bolt on rear, one of the lesser itertions. Date codes on components will likely offer the best opportunity to pin down the time-frame of the frame, in time.

Looks like it might have a nice saddle?

Still, a very nice acquisition, I hope you enjoy the ride!

My overall impression pending additional pictures and information is boom era and an upper entry level to lower mid-range model such as a Black Diamond or Olympic. The front wheel looks low end, with wingnuts, a steel hub and what appears to be 27" steel rim. Rear wheel does not match front. Front derailleur looks like Campagnolo but back looks like Simplex. It's obviously been frankenbiked to an extent, so the most telling criteria will be dropout style and seat post diameter.

I can't help you with the year but I'll own up to lusting (in my heart) over a red Falcon, a bunch of years ago in the window at Ten Speed Drive in Tallahassee. I didn't know squat about bicycles but I did recognize beauty!

Despite the apparent good condition of decals, there is no evidence of "San Remo" on the visible chainstay, or of Reynolds tubing stickers on either the seat tube or forks..

Also of note are what appear to be brazed on fittings for the frame pump, typical of and suggesting a lower tier model.

http://www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Cat...0Page%2013.jpg

How was the OP able to post a photo with only one post under his belt?

My Falcon Olympic has wrap around seat stays as does my Carlton Corsa 5 frame and a mates Raleigh all hi ten steel

Pic Tricks Of A Virgin
 

That was his first post. OP's not magic or special. OP likely did it the same way I did when I first joined: I uploaded a reasonably sized file of appropriate format directly from my computer. I'm not sure it works from a mobile device, (and am fairly sure it does not), and certainly won't work from a file hosting site, but it does work from a laptop or desktop's HD.