Thanks for the tip Lotek!

I don't know how to say this in a way that won't sound like I'm being a jerk.

An early 70's 531 framed Falcon is probably not the bike to go crazy with

It's pretty rare for one thing, you can look around and find a ton of decent 70's and 80's bikes that provide a great base for artistic expression.

A 531 frame is not (So I have been told) the best base for an SS/FG build, Supposedly 531 makes for a too wippy single speed.

There are bikes out there with no braze ons and less provanance.

I'm not going to tell you what to do, it's your bike. But, you might think about hanging the Falcon in the garage for awhile and picking up another frameset for your project. The Chrome plated single speed sounds awesome, but...why start with a Falcon when a True temper or Tange Schwinn, Centurion, or Fuji would work as well or better?

Okay, have fun.

I never said it wouldn't work, but your repeated egregious misuse of some pretty common terminology led me to believe that I'd be doing you a favor by pointing out the difference. I see now that you should know better. Please forgive my error.

Ok, everyone ... Pile ON!

Hey Wes, dont think you are hurtin my feelin' by giving advice, I asked for it... I thought the frame had little or no value, I bought it because it was a Purdy Orange
I think I have said several times that I hoped its not worth much because I would want to deface a valued bike.
And Ouch Marengo... My problem with "Repeated Egregious Misuse of pretty common terminology" comes from being a guy who is hands on and gets things done not worrying too much about what something is really called. I use bikes to get from point A to point B and to point G is there is Beer or Wine there
I love to SAVE old objects by making them new again, and if you guys saw how bad off the paint on this Falcon is, it could have easily ended up in a Dumpster... My house is full of old things that I have spiffied up and brought new use to them, take my wife for instance
I started this string to kinda find out what the bike was to avoid tearing into a national treasure, and it sounds like I might have to do just that. I have had SEVERAL offers on the bike now, and I will probably hold onto it in fear that others might deface the bike. I can care less about what the frame is worth because Im not out to make a buck, I just wanted a slick lookin' single speed that had an original color I would be proud of reproducing in some way...I passed on other frames because they were a bit too nice.

The sad thing is There still is no definite info on the bike so I could be holding onto a turd. I need gloves hopefully its just a bike named a Falcon with phat pointie lugs and a cool wrap around seat stays...

I may head back over to see if there are any other frames that get my goat... But I still am going to find out what I can about this frame.


-Sorry if that all sounded a bit defensive... wasnt meant to be... well actually when isnt a person being defensive if they are stating their point of view... I guess when they are being offensive (I've been watchin too much of the election coverage) Still sorry though...

You guys can keep the info and advice commin'

Phatatude - "Bikers dont shake hands, Bikers HUG!"

Bikes:
69 schwinn Stingray 3spd (built from scratch with my 6yr old son)
78 schwinn 5 speed
69 Raleigh Twenty Folder
70 Phillips Twenty Folder
24" Dyno Cruiser
26" Scott MTB
26" Trek MTB
70 Schwinn Typhoon
Schwinn Predator (Freestyle)
Ernie Clements Falcon in really rough shape
And several others still hangin in my moms garage that she's naggin me to come get.
PS. Most of these were basket cases and now they are not in a land fill and being used...

This is really a contradiction. If you put those wheels on it you are defacing it by stressing the rear triangle with a 1cm spread. It'll damn hard enough to get the wheel in, but don't be suprised when one of the bridges starts to break away from a stay. Of course you could properly cold set it by then you would have just defaced it, reducing it's value to nil as a vintage collectible.

Well that is not true. People have told you Merckx road falcons which gives the brand immediate collector appeal. And we know you have a wonderfully crafted reynolds 531 frame. That is special in and of itself. We regularly restore frame from far worse condition than that. Take corky for example.

leave the paint... I think the patina looks great

Ok...

Cyclotoine
I havent put the wheel on it so the defacing hasnt began I just said I was asking on this string BEFORE I did anything. IF I was going to go with the wider hub, I have access to a spreader or whatever would be needed to do the job corectly...

I wish I had the resorces to restore bikes with all original equipement. I just like to see the old stuff used again. There really hasnt been a definite confermation of anything. As far as I know, no one has ever seen this type of Decal, and I cant find any place with more info... Someone will come along and have seen one.. MAYBE (fingers crossed ) and ell me they made millions of em' and they were junk and then I can make it my own

SingeDebile, the thing is, the fork looks wonderful, the frame on the other hand, The top tube is totally scratched up, and it looks like someone put gasoline on the top tube Decal... One idea was to leave the fork original and plate the frame... But we'll see...

Phatatude - "Helmet! (check), Bike! (check) Smile! (check) and we are on our way..."

You can buy track/SS hubs real cheep these days. You can get complete wheel sets for $100 often, and you won't have to do any spreading.

You know - if Merckx had ridden the bike in a race, you could worry about preserving something of historical value. Since there's no indication anything of the sort is the case - do whatever you want with the bicycle. If you care about originality, all this advice you've been getting is very close to the mark. If it truly is just transportation to you, paint it up and build it up however you want - taking into account the advice given that will help you from making a mistake that could threaten the integrity of the frame. You've got a nice 531 frame, and that's an excellent starting point. Have fun working on it and enjoy riding the bike.

Cyclotoine-You raise a good point my friend

I put a flipflop on the Raleigh Im doing, and I thought about that on the Falcon, but I bought the wheelset and hub I did so I could possibly use them in other applications if I needed. I kinda dig the look of the "Do it Yourself" SS hub too. If the Falcon gets the treatment, I plan to have milticolored spacers that match the bike. (I have the spacers. They came out of some beat up cassettes I got from a LBS garbage bin, I will just paint them).

And thanks USAZorro


Phatatude - "I cant really say the saddle is uncomfortable, because I cant feel anything down there!"

maybe there is someone here with a frame that is closer to your size that would like to trade with you...

You both would win,
you would get a frame that would fit you better, with nicer paint, that would work better for what you want to do with it etc....

while the person from the forums would be taking the risk of weather or not its actually worth anything and then you would be sure that they would take good care of it.