Just in the very initial phases of a new build, I was going to go with a Mavic or late Sachs group, but now I'm thinking Campag.

Turn back the clock to 1985, how would you build this.

The Frame:
83-85 ish Falcon "Team" bought from a fellow forumite, Reynolds 501, so not quite a top frame, but not bad. Bright red with white decals. Probably will get refreshed with new paint/decals. It's very much a race geometry frame, and It will get built that way.

The wheels:
Maillard low flange laced to Weinmann box section 700c rims from a decent late 80's Schwinn.

Stem:
Classy looking late GB.

Crankset,
80's Stronglight.

What I'm undecided about. What was the moderate Campagnolo group in '85, not TDF level, but appropriate for a club riders machine like this? I'm new to the world of Campagnolo.

Calipers and levers? Campag is probably out of the question cost wise, and in '85 they would still be non areo right? Like to stay away from my usual Weinmann's.

Bars: Like to avoid my usual Sake's or Nitto's

Saddle, will be a change from my usual Brooks.

What do you guys think??

Nuovo Record, most likely. If you have a braze on FD bracket I have one in nearly new condition for sale (also have a NR bottom bracket, but it is Italian threaded, and 52/42 crankset). You may be able to find a good deal on Campy levers and calipers on Craigslist or ebay, otherwise (if you don't mind going out of the European theme, think about a Diacomp Royal Gran Comp brakeset, which can probably be had for less but cosmetically and functionally is really nice. Suntour Superbe is also great and period correct, but will probably cost even more than the Campy's. Definitely stay with sidepulls. Bars could be Cinelli or 3TTT, ITM- what is the diameter of your stem?

Campagnolo Victory, or Triomphe mixed with a Victory RD. Period and fits the upper-mid-range frame.

-Kurt

Yes, all about the Nuovo Record for me. Modolo brakes were always an alternative to Campagnolo back in the day.

Is your bike solid red with white panel decals with the script font Falcon logo? If it is that is a really cool looking bike. They make me happy.

vjp

+1 I concur if you decide on Campy. I'd actually go with the Triomphe crankset. I just think it's purtier

My mid-80's Falcon San Remo (531c) has a full Campagnolo Victory group, as from the factory. Pardon the "pimp my ride" saddle.

It's very red, with the white panel decals. Clamp on front changer.

Gotta stay all Euro too.

austx, my Team is a taller, cheaper brother to your San Remo!

Does Campy or that other stuff work with the Maillard/Stronglight/GB vibe you have going? It's true that the English were preternaturally eclectic about outfitting bikes, especially before the "gruppo" era.

If you're leaning to Campy, the Victory line was introduced in 1985 or 1986, I think -- to me that would be the perfect set for a "club racer" bike. The pieces I've seen or own have a finish equal to NR or SR. White brake hoods, and I think that the stuff is reasonable on eBay, compared to NR/SR.

Other choices you might consider, that a lot of mid-80s "English" bikes seem to have on them, are Suntour Cyclone, or Shimano 600 New EX. Like Bob Jacksons. A fair number of these seem to have Sugino Mighty cranksets, rather than the usual Campy NR.

Victory and Triomphe both came in clamp on, though only Victory came in braze-on, at least, according to a catalog I read ages ago.

That said, Victory clamp-on has two pivots on the clamp (as opposed to one) so it can fit around different seatpost OD's a bit better - finished a bit nicer as well, and the cage body is smoothed at the edges.

The two groups are of such similar appearance, mixing parts isn't that obvious.

-Kurt

Well, my thoughts were, what would I have upgraded first? The only thing I do know is that it had a Stronglight crank, and six speed Shimano.

I just remembered, I have a new set of Victory shifters. so thats one point for at least a partial Victory build.

Think, as much as I love Suntour, I'm going to avoid any non Euro parts on this one.

The Victory group seems generally underrated despite it's, IMO, high level of aesthetics. And in terms of function it is on par with NR. Good choice.

Here's a tasteful resto of a 1986 531 frame w full Victory:

https://www.fivenineclimber.com/bikes.../koschubat.htm

Better then.

-Kurt