Forwarded info from Nigel Land, regarding my (apparently) early 70's Falcon Special, and Marc's similar vintage Falcon San Remo.
My bike has the small flange hubs, and lower-end parts, but the same cranks, BB, seatpost, and chainwheels as Marc's. We both have alloy GB stems and bars. I have 610-style unmarked short reach brakes that appear to be Weinmann, and the 27x1-1/4 clincher wheels. Marc appears to have long reach 750's and 700c wheels (tubulars? - lucky dog! :)
-----Original Message----- From: NIGEL LAND [mailto:ndland@btinternet.com] Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 3:49 AM To: RB Subject: Re: Ernie Clements Falcon Special
Hi Bill,
The only 70s catalogue I have is undated but features the Eddy Merckx models
so between 1972 and 1974. The spec for the SPECIAL model 110 is brief: Frame
sizes 19 1/2 21 1/2 23 and 25 inch wheels 27 x 1 1/4 on L/F Q/R hubs. Alloy
cotterless chainwheel set. Brakes Weinmann centre-pull. Gears 10-speed. Bend
& stem: Alloy Maes pattern Saddle: plastic. Finish Merckx Orange, Black,
White. Front fork ends: chrome 6".
There is also a Club Special available in flambuoyant blue, sma e spec but
small flange hubs rather than high. No picture available either, so not a
lot of help. I have no idea how the frame numbering system worked. I don't
have enough info to build up a key at this stage.
Hope this helps. I would guess at this stage that 1973 is as close as you
will get, at which stage they were still based in Barton on Humber but in
the process of relocating to Brigg - about 8 miles south of Barton.
Cheers
Nigel