Ernie Clements 531 Falcon San Remo (finished!)

[Harvo]

I’ve enjoyed this strip-down. Shame you’re not going to be keeping it after all that hard work!

It is a shame but it's too small for me to ride comfortably and it deserves to see the road again. I get a huge amount of enjoyment out of doing bikes up (only been doing it 4 years) as it's just me in my garage with my own thoughts. Actually sounds a bit dangerous when I say it like that!

 

[chickendrumsticks]

It is a shame but it's too small for me to ride comfortably and it deserves to see the road again. I get a huge amount of enjoyment out of doing bikes up (only been doing it 4 years) as it's just me in my garage with my own thoughts. Actually sounds a bit dangerous when I say it like that!

Garage? Own thoughts? A true Retrobiker!
Not dangerous at all... great work so far.

 

[Harvo]

Top bodgery today!
Noticed when I stripped the bike down that there was a gear cable stop end on the lower part of the downtube to hold the outer guide of the front mech cable but nothing towards the derailleur meaning the cable guide was floating and at a weird angle.....so I decided to make one.
I started with a stainless jubilee clip cut down to fit the tube. Two tabs bent in and one side tapped to take a bolt.




Then the hole was drilled to take the cable stop I had lying around in the parts bin. Two slits cut either side of the hole and bent outwards gave me the basic shape I was looking for. Once installed on the bike I was able to give the cable stop a loving tweak to give it the angle needed for smooth operation of the cable. Job jobbed and easily removed if wanted but I think it'll be a decent upgrade and provide better operation.
Yeah, I could have bought one but I'm a massive tightwad lol.

 

[Harvo]

I've finished! Thank God I hear you say.
Before some pics, got to say I've enjoyed this project immensely. It's as I bought it and all I've had to replace is bar tape, cables, cable clips and an H Lloyd 531 decal (the original sadly flaked off). It's got to go as giving it a small shake down run proved it's too small for me to ride. A pity because it rides really well and is very smooth (if a little high geared). @Mandobob do you know anyone looking for one? Might need a post in the what's it worth thread as I don't know how much to ask (I appreciate not life changing! Lol)
Anyhow, hope you like the end result.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Nice job

 

[zerogravitas]

Absolutely super work. Nicely done.

 

[Jonny69]

Cracking job. That looks great!

 

[Mandobob]

I've finished! Thank God I hear you say.
Before some pics, got to say I've enjoyed this project immensely. It's as I bought it and all I've had to replace is bar tape, cables, cable clips and an H Lloyd 531 decal (the original sadly flaked off). It's got to go as giving it a small shake down run proved it's too small for me to ride. A pity because it rides really well and is very smooth (if a little high geared). @Mandobob do you know anyone looking for one? Might need a post in the what's it worth thread as I don't know how much to ask (I appreciate not life changing! Lol)
Anyhow, hope you like the end result.

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That is a really nice way to deal with a bike like that. Simply change the wearing bits - cables and tyres and thoroughly clean the rest. I am doing exactly the same to a 1961 Cote D'Azur that I bought on the way back from VeloRetro. Will be a slow job as I am away quite a bit over the next month. Sadly they don't comment big money but having said that they are fantastic value. You'd might be looking at £150ish? That doesn't reflect the amount of work done but the market is pretty flat at the moment it seems.

 

[Harvo]

Thanks for all the comments. Appreciate it.
Thanks for the valuation @Mandobob. If I walk with 150 I'll be happy as it's more about the joy of bringing something skip worthy back to life to me. All the best with your resto.

 

[pwebb]

great work all round on this bike - lovely result and a piece of moving history. Hopefully soon to be ridden away by an appreciative new owner who will ride with a smile