Author Topic: Tioga Rhino 3/Falcon Pro help? (Read 3653 times)

Mark Owen · « **on:** May 15, 2015, 12:21 PM »

I scored this on e-bay...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tange-Made-Falcon-Pro-1984-Old-School-Bmx-/161694800712'ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=wkAmeSy1hg8qyjNruP2Z3dq4C08%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Still can't believe my luck as it's a Tange/Tioga Rhino 3 frame and i've wanted one of these for god knows how long! This one has been branded as a Falcon Pro. Some fishing around on the internet seems to show pictures indicating the Falcon BMX team may have run these. Just wondered if anyone had any pictures or information as to what spec they may have been built to? Or any ideas as to what spec I should build it to!?

Any/all helps appreciated!

Mark

Tel-boy75 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2015, 12:28 PM »

I put in a bid for that as well, looks nice. I did a bit of research before I bid, I found this link to a Falcon catalogue that shows the team riding Rhino Charges, maybe of interest/use.

Not sure if they were ever branded as Falcon frames though.

http://www.bloggingadeadhorse.com/hotfoot2_1983FalconCat.php

Mark Owen · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2015, 12:52 PM »

Thanks fella, yes that is pretty much all I could find as well. Difficult to tell what components are on these, so reckon I might just have to wing it a little!

Going to try and clean up as much as I can and maybe change some bits. Thanks again!

That Swan Guy · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2015, 01:08 PM »

Jeff and Gary ran Rhino Charges as they were the big kids in the group. They were stickered Falcon but that was the only thing that was Falcon made on the bikes. The older Maws, Jonty and his sisters ran Rhino III frame sets whilst David had a Tange mini frame set. Falcon only ever made catalogue bikes out of scaffold tube but John Maw (Dad) got them sponsorship through Falcon and they ran the Tange frames listed above.

Mark Owen · « **Reply #4 on:** May 15, 2015, 02:17 PM »

Wow! Thanks "That Swan Guy"Now that is interesting! Must admit, shamefully not being that gemmed up on teams/riders, the names you've mentioned don't mean much to me but, do you think this bike is one of those you mentioned above then? And if so, any way I could get the spec verified?

Mark

That Swan Guy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2015, 02:30 PM »

Quote from: Mark Owen on May 15, 2015, 02:17 PM

Wow! Thanks "That Swan Guy"Now that is interesting! Must admit, shamefully not being that gemmed up on teams/riders, the names you've mentioned don't mean much to me but, do you think this bike is one of those you mentioned above then? And if so, any way I could get the spec verified?

Mark

lots of replicas out there I'm afraid.
There was no spec list as they were frame sets that they were given and they built them as they wanted.
Funnily enough I was sat chatting with Jonty just last night

Mark Owen · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2015, 02:58 PM »

Ha ha! In that case will just have to do it justice as best I can. Appreciate the insight though, really good to read about.Thank you.

That Swan Guy · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2015, 03:12 PM »

84 Falcon catalogue

left to right

Jonty Maw, Jo Maw, Jeff Bishop, Gary Fenwick (Morocco on here), Rachael Maw, David Maw (RIP)

As you can see David has a Tange mini and Jeff a Rhino Charge.

The Rhino III was never listed in Falcon's catalogue but the Charge was.

We've had this discussion before on this forum!

Gnarlyscoots · « **Reply #8 on:** May 15, 2015, 03:50 PM »

Nice grab

I think the stem on it may be a Torker stem too. Will need pics to confirm but with the square edge at the back, it looks to be. Take the stem out when you get it, the quill and bolt/wedge should be black

Mark Owen · « **Reply #9 on:** May 15, 2015, 04:48 PM »

Again, thank you, and my apologies, only joined yesterday!

Thanks for the heads up on the stem Gnarlyscoots, will check it out when I receive it. From the pictures though it appears to have something protruding from the middle of the top of the clamp. Can't say I've seen that before.

But thank you again everyone. Will post up some pics when done cleaning her up!

Mark Owen · « **Reply #10 on:** May 15, 2015, 05:01 PM »

Actually, taking a closer look, think that's a "that'll do" hex bolt...

Gnarlyscoots · « **Reply #11 on:** May 15, 2015, 08:41 PM »

Quote from: Mark Owen on May 15, 2015, 05:01 PM

Actually, taking a closer look, think that's a "that'll do" hex bolt...

I would plump my money on that......

And it is indeed a Torker 6 bolt stem. It may be stamped on the cap too. Either way, it's a worthy item

Mark Owen · « **Reply #12 on:** May 15, 2015, 09:20 PM »

All I can say is wow! Really looking forward to getting my hands on it now!

fischflo · « **Reply #13 on:** May 15, 2015, 10:09 PM »

top score!

..great condition, too

just some inspiration, TELLIS302000's stunning Rhino III ->http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,128144.msg1229646/topicseen.html#msg1229646

Mark Owen · « **Reply #14 on:** May 15, 2015, 11:40 PM »

That's a good shout, and a good bit of inspiration!

Hope I haven't got my work cut out! Not going to try and change too much, maybe the pedals and some new tyres and grips and an oxy bath. Umming and aaahing about the levers/calipers. Thoughts anyone?

Gnarlyscoots · « **Reply #15 on:** May 16, 2015, 12:15 AM »

Quote from: Mark Owen on May 15, 2015, 11:40 PM

Umming and aaahing about the levers/calipers. Thoughts anyone?

I would personally swap out the callipers, levers, cables, wheels and tyres.

Even if you fit some Formos or Chang Star brake sets, you will see the massive benefits over the Raleigh Shopper sets on it at the moment.

Mark Owen · « **Reply #16 on:** May 16, 2015, 04:25 AM »

Sound advice, thanks!

Mikku · « **Reply #17 on:** May 16, 2015, 12:02 PM »

Some great info on here!! Was watching this one on eBay - very nice!

In answer to your previous question, I guess a lot depends on whether you're going to ride it or just look at it. I'd definitely get some decent brakes and tyres on there if it's the former.

Mark Owen · « **Reply #18 on:** May 16, 2015, 02:17 PM »

Alway's ride my bikes! (Never too hard though!)

Mark Owen · « **Reply #19 on:** May 31, 2015, 08:11 AM »

OK, so finally took delivery of her this week and chrome is in pretty decent order! Gave it an oxy bath to clear some surface rust and after a rinse and polish, it's come up a treat! Decided to go for a full refurb, so have stuck some bits on eBay!