In a message dated 1/19/01 7:15:57 PM Eastern Standard Time, ABikie@aol.com writes:
<< Falcon-made Eddy Merckx frames from the 1970s ... decent 531 frames? >>
I sold a fair number of these in maybe 1973 & 74...
They were, in my opinion, "OK" but not the highest level of craftsmanship..
HOWEVER at this same time, with the bike boom going full force, there were Eddy Merckx "pro" bikes shipped by the distributor to us & said to be be the same model as the Falcon made bikes, i.e., no distinction made between them, yret these frames were made by Kessels of Belgium. Same orange and foil Eddy stickers, but a completely better and more refined frame. The lugs were finely filed to very thin points, big seat stays, superb joinery... The story we got is that the Falcon plant was maxed out and they filled orders by going to Kessels for a batch or two of frames to meet the demand. Go figure.....
Dale Brown