Frame identification help needed
 

Hi, I often enjoy reading the forums but this is my first post so forgive me if Ive put it in the wrong place!!

I bought this bike over 20 years ago second hand in London whilst at university. Its showing its age now, and I wanted to put it back to its former glory.

However this is where I could do with some expertise! The frame is as is when I bought it. I cannot find any manufacturers markings on it other than a number stamped on the bottom bracket. I've trawled the internet looking for similar bikes but have come to a dead end. The frame has been stripped down ready to restore.

I wondered if anyone could shed any light for me??

It has Gipiemme dropouts. The number stamped on it is 126412. The Cinelli stem and bars were taken off and have never been changed since Ive owned it?! Any help would be much appreciated.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5e6e714a2.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...007fe0542.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...732bf9dfc.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...290d4b8b9.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1a44cdd41.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...33fce4930.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b1ebe207b.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bec98562a.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...799cbbe42.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...49acd9152.jpeg

One more post to go! We looking forward to seeing pictures. Then for sure you'll get some feedback.

Sounds interesting.

Ive been busy!! Pictures added. What do you think?? The frame is nothing too exciting but has great sentimental value. Cheers

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We have not as yet received word on tubing sizes or threading.

From what can be seen in these imges Belgium and Britain would seem the two most likely national origins.

Appears mid-1980's.

Shall await word from DCI MR. MauriceMoss

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Thanks for the tag juvela .


The style of pump peg on this bike was used on late eighties-ish Falcon badged frames. Gipiemme dropouts too, actually. I generally don't put too much stock into decals, but Falcons also had that "Handbuilt in England" decal on the seat stays near the brake bridge (just like the mystery bike here).
I don't know much about the manufacture of Falcons around this time, so no idea if they were made by Falcon or done under contract by someone else.

Since I'm not a Falcon expert I can't verify if the frame number matches other Falcons (I've seen Falcons with a 6-digit number on the bottom bracket shell, but I'm not sure if the font or format match exactly). Maybe T-Mar or other Falconites could chime in on this.

On to the pics:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...996cdb74d7.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0a90bc7c5c.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...675ae8767e.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2f8546fe37.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...21701fad81.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d0a7168de.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0214c2d89b.jpg

Would there be any more identifying info on the steerer tube?

Thank you for your expertise so far!! Great to wake up and see the replies and feel like we are getting somewhere.

Ive looked closely at the steerer tube and there does not appear to be any markings on it.

Here are some dimensions I've taken to help out. I don't have the best instruments for this so they may be +/- mm!!

Top tube 25mm

Downtube 28mm

Seat tube 29mm

Internal seat post 27.2mm

BB width 67mm, 38mm external, 34 mm internal threads, British thread.

That frame has been "ridden hard and put away wet" -- lots of rust down where chain stays and down tube meet bottom bracket. If you're planning to sink any money into it, I would be sure that the rust is mainly superficial, rather than significant loss. 27.2 mm seat post fit generally means that the frame is double-butted, and therefore worth rehabilitating if it's not damaged.

Thanks for the reply. Yes it was my winter bike for a while and did not receive the care it should have. I think its just superficial rust. There is no sign of rust internally when looking in from the bottom bracket.

If I was doing the refinishing on this frame and it was mine, after sandblasting the area on the chain stays to get rid of the rust, I would fill the pits with silver. Those look like pretty deep pits. I wouldn't be worried that even rust holes that went all the way through would eventually break the chain stays if they stayed the same. What I would be worried about is that they are stress risers where cracks can start and continue when it is being ridden again.

The chain stay bridge is deeply rusted but the only reason to fill those pits (probably with body putty) is so it doesn't have a pitted look after repainting. There is too much steel in the bridge to be a structural problem.

I concur, the frame features and serial number are consistent with Falcon. Based on the serial number, in conjunction with the Reynolds decal style, this should be a 1991 or possibly 1992 frame. By this time Reynolds 531 was more of a mid-range tubeset and this is exhibited by cost concessions, such as the lack of chrome plating, absence of a front derailleur hanger and domed stay ends

Thanks again everyone for their input. Yes the frame needs some attention around the chain stay area before any paint is applied. I will look into the silver filling!!
Ive been looking at as many Falcon's as I can trying to get a match for which model it may be. Is this possible to do this from the serial number? There seems to be a lack of falcon serial Number info though!
Im thinking maybe the Triathlon? I looked at the Shimano 105 kit I took of it and they are dated PI and PF which I think indicate different months in 1991.
Anyone got and info/brochures from around that time.
Keep up the good work and helpful info coming.
Cheers