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Falcon bikes in the mid-80's??

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Falcon bikes in the mid-80's??

Old 10-28-15, 11:27 AM
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I have an '85 Falcon Triathlon 105 with 1st gen 105 group, there was also a Triathlon 600.
Mine is like the red one of rbman, 531 main/fork, love it, is really light and fast, I upped it to 7 speed brifters.
There's been one on ebay for a while with Exage, looks a little more flashier with the decaling.
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Old 11-04-15, 11:17 PM
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Originally Posted by cbutler
CAD 700 is only USD 560. Seems better no?
Perhaps, but back in 2008 when I made that comment seems like the CAD was a bit more on par with the USD,,,,,if memory serves!
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Old 11-04-15, 11:32 PM
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Originally Posted by evwxxx
Perhaps, but back in 2008 when I made that comment seems like the CAD was a bit more on par with the USD,,,,,if memory serves!
facepalm.
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Old 11-05-15, 05:14 AM
  #29  
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When did the Coventry Eagle become Falcon?

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Old 11-05-15, 05:20 AM
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Originally Posted by cbutler
CAD 700 is only USD 560. Seems better no?
Not if your dealing on ebay.
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Old 11-05-15, 05:39 AM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by cbutler
CAD 700 is only USD 560. Seems better no?

Most Americans don't realize that the USA imports 37% of their Oil from Canada. That's more than all the Middle Eastern Countries combined. Low Oil prices equal a lower Canadian Dollar.
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Old 11-06-15, 02:34 AM
  #32  
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Falcon Holdsworth Connection

Falcon? Holdsworth? Falcworth? RHBSC

RHBSC = Red Headed Bastard Step Child

During the 80s both Falcon and Holdsworth/Claud Butler fell on hard times and were passed around by several other bicycle marques more than a ball in a rugby scrum!

Some confusing history with the connections between Falcon and Holdsworth.

Holdsworth and Claud Butler (Holdsworthy)

A UK bicycle company named Marlboro bought Holdsworthy in November, 1985.

The Marlboro Rapier company was launched selling bikes with 'Made by Holdsworthy Co Ltd' decals during 1987 or later. It appears that when Marlboro sold the Holdsworth and Claud Butler brands to Falcon in 1987, they retained the 'Holdsworthy Company Ltd' name.

Falcon

In 1978 a rival bicycle manufacturer Elswick Hopper plc acquired Falcon Cycles which was operated as a subsidiary before being later merged into Elswick Hopper's factory at Barton-upon-Humber, North Lincolnshire.

By the mid-1980s, Elswick Hopper plc was was losing money and in desperate need of reorganization. The company renamed itself Elswick plc in 1984 and renamed its bicycle division Falcon Cycles.

In 1987 Falcon Cycles acquired the Holdsworth and Claud Butler brands from Marlboro.

After the 1987 takeover, Falcon Cycles Ltd (an Elswick PLC Company), offered Holdsworth "Racers", Claud Butler "Tourers" and Falcon "Sports Cycles".

Falcon Cycles was sold to Tandem Group plc in November 1995. The Falcon Cycles division of Tandem was responsible for producing bikes and accessories under the Falcon marque, as well as under the brand names of: Boss, Claud Butler, CBR, British Eagle, Coventry-Eagle, Elswick, Exile, Holdsworth, Scorpion, Shogun, Stinky Bitz and import-only Townsend brands.


About 6 years ago I picked up a ~1984 Holdsworth frame from a seller in the UK. It's made of Reynolds 753R and has many of the features of Falcon frames from that era.

Fuzzy eBay picture...



Finished bike. All Campy Super Record except for Victory cranks with 50-35T chainrings for lower gearing.



Two odd things about this frame... It has fluted seat stay tops plus Campy 1010B short dropouts with fender eyelets. A full bore racing frame with fender eyelets? It rains a lot in the UK...

The eyelets weren't added, they were made that way by Campagnolo.



The frame has the same fork crown as a number of Falcon bikes from the mid 80's that I've seen photos of.

1987 Falcon Harrier



1980's Falcon Ernie Clements




Verktyg

Chas.
Attached Images
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Holdsworth753-1a.jpg (26.4 KB, 335 views)
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Holdsworth1984-753 002.jpg (107.3 KB, 329 views)
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1984Holdworth753 002.jpg (94.8 KB, 329 views)
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1984Holdworth753 003.jpg (96.2 KB, 329 views)
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Holdsworth1984-753 006.jpg (101.5 KB, 331 views)
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1984Holdworth753 004Reduced.jpg (60.1 KB, 333 views)
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Falcon1987Harrier.jpg (102.0 KB, 342 views)
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ErnieClements1980s2.jpg (108.6 KB, 335 views)
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Last edited by verktyg; 11-06-15 at 02:54 PM.
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Old 11-06-15, 02:37 AM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by Wileyone
When did the Coventry Eagle become Falcon?

See my post #32 for Falcon history from the late 70's - early 80's.

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Old 11-06-15, 09:25 AM
  #34  
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I purchased this Falcon Jaguar recently. I think it was made around 1988. It has Renolds 653 tubing. I do not think this bike has ever been ridden.

~
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Old 12-11-16, 12:59 PM
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Falcon grand prix

Hi
Can anyone tell me anything about the Falcon Grand prix
It's black with gold decals, brakes are gold anodised as are the crank arms.
Fitted with Campagnolo fr & r mechs and shifters
10 spd
Any help appreciated
Andy
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Old 12-12-16, 09:55 AM
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Can you post a picture to help with the ID? Is paint original, parts original, etc. These are things that can help with identification.
From the sound of the name, maybe mid to late 80's. Falcon at that time was pretty murky, with few details available.
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Old 12-19-16, 12:18 AM
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New to this site so can't figure how to put up pics as it wants an url address to even search for the pics.
Paint looks original as do all the components, fluted seat post is something else I forgot to mention.
Rear mech hanger is part of the frame. Sr handlebar clamp.
Thanks Andy
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Old 12-19-16, 01:43 AM
  #38  
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Andy, the best way to post pics on Bikeforums is to upload them elsewhere online and link them to your posts here. There are many options when it comes to pic hosting sites, but if you want a simple one that doesn't require creating a user account I like Postimage.org.
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Old 12-03-18, 08:52 AM
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  • A friend of mine picked up Falcon Triathlon 600 recently for 30.00 at a thrift shop in the Atlanta area. Excellent condition though it appears the previous owner had swapped a (nice) wheel in that didnt match. Not sure of the dropouts but does have 531c tubes and 531 fork. Cool 80’s ride for a steal.
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Old 12-03-18, 09:45 AM
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Originally Posted by OldsCOOL
  • A friend of mine picked up Falcon Triathlon 600 recently for 30.00 at a thrift shop in the Atlanta area. Excellent condition though it appears the previous owner had swapped a (nice) wheel in that didnt match. Not sure of the dropouts but does have 531c tubes and 531 fork. Cool 80’s ride for a steal.
You know the drill. Pics or it didn't happen.
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Old 12-03-18, 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by OldsCOOL
  • A friend of mine picked up Falcon Triathlon 600 recently for 30.00 at a thrift shop in the Atlanta area. Excellent condition though it appears the previous owner had swapped a (nice) wheel in that didnt match. Not sure of the dropouts but does have 531c tubes and 531 fork. Cool 80’s ride for a steal.
The presence of 531C indicates it's no older than 1983. Falcon totally revamped their lineup for 1988 with the Triathlon series being discontinued, so it should be 1983-1987, in which case it should be easier to narrow down from the components. Shimano 600EX (Arabesque) would be 1983. Fricition shifting New 600EX should be 1984-1985, while indexed shifting New 600EX would be 1986-1987.
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Old 12-03-18, 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by T-Mar
The presence of 531C indicates it's no older than 1983. Falcon totally revamped their lineup for 1988 with the Triathlon series being discontinued, so it should be 1983-1987, in which case it should be easier to narrow down from the components. Shimano 600EX (Arabesque) would be 1983. Fricition shifting New 600EX should be 1984-1985, while indexed shifting New 600EX would be 1986-1987.
Thanx for the info! The RD says SIS, no indication of EX.
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Old 12-03-18, 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Hudson308
You know the drill. Pics or it didn't happen.
His pics he posted on my facebook c/v page wouldnt meet the forums standards.
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Old 12-03-18, 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by OldsCOOL

Thanx for the info! The RD says SIS, no indication of EX.
The 1986-1987 New 600EX rear derailleur just said 'SHIMANO 600', with 'SIS' below it, on a dark gray/black parallelogram arm. Also know as the RD-6208.

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Old 12-03-18, 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by T-Mar
The 1986-1987 New 600EX rear derailleur just said 'SHIMANO 600', with 'SIS' below it, on a dark gray/black parallelogram arm. Also know as the RD-6208.

Precisely
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