The bike that 80s teenagers dreamed of

Retro revamp proves steel’s still got it

It’s 30 years since Chris Walker won the Milk Race in dominant style on this elegant-looking steel race bike. Afterwards it was sold to Dave Marsh at the Universal Cycle Centre in Maltby, South Yorkshire, where it has been on display ever since.

Recently, Walker, now 56, decided to give it a new lease of life, so he bought it back, had it resprayed and rebuilt it as faithfully as possible so that he and his son Joey, who is the national criterium champion, could enjoy it all over again as a cafe racer with a big backstory.

The respray work was done by Jon Lightfoot of J&R Bodyworks – who normally has the likes of Aston Martins and Porsches in his workshop. A keen cyclist himself, Lightfoot said it was “an honour” to take the job.

The Falcon team frame is made from Reynolds 753 tubing – even in 1991 this was the best tubing there was. And after spending 30 years indoors, it was of course still in great condition.

When the original bike was delivered from the Falcon factory, Walker didn’t like the amount of fork rake, so the team went to Dave Marsh for new 753 forks with less rake to sharpen up the front end. However, Marsh’s paint didn’t quite match the Falcon white. Now, finally, frame and fork are unified in exactly the same shade of white.

Fresh decals have been applied (including rare 753 decals sourced by Dave Marsh) and sealed under the lacquer.

The components are all the 1991 originals except the right Dura-ace STI, which had been damaged. It now has Continental tubs rather than the original Wolbers the team used at the time, and new cables and fresh bar tape.