Search found 14 matches

by oldnick
9 Jul 2011, 11:24am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Viscount bicycles!!
Replies: 2796
Views: 443950

Re: Viscount bicycles!!

My earlier post shows my fully lugged Aerospace Grand Prix. I've seen many fully lugged examples, early and late.
I reckon Viscount fitted whatever was available at the time. I wouldn't be surprised that they used any lugs they had and brazed the rest! There are so many different permutations of components on so many different models I guess there is no definitive list all fit in to. I've seen folding bikes, touring bikes, even two road bikes from the same period usually have different components. All had Viscount shield stickers.
by oldnick
7 Jul 2011, 2:37pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Viscount bicycles!!
Replies: 2796
Views: 443950

Re: Viscount bicycles!!

There are fully lugged aerospace frames. The very early and late ones had lugs, they're the strongest aerospace frames. It even has a 'hand crafted in England' Viscount sticker. Does it have a frame number anywhere, try under the bottom bracket?
by oldnick
20 Jun 2011, 7:46pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Cassette Query
Replies: 6
Views: 873

Re: Cassette Query

You can replace a six with a seven if it's uniglide, I've just done exactly that. You can get the cassette here:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/shimano-6400 ... rc=froogle
I found the spacer on the sprocket one up from the threaded sprocket was 3.6mm instead of the 3.1mm of all the others. I've no idea why because Sheldon Brown states 6 speed should be 3.65 and 7 3.1. Either way, I just sanded the spacer until it measured 3.1 and put the cassette on the old uniglide hub. It is a tight fit but it did go on. I needed one spacer washer on each side for the chain to clear the cast alloy nut the fits on the inside of the dropout and takes a bolt going through the derailleur mount (mine uses the hub spindle nut to hold it in place).
It works fine but I've got friction shifters, not sure if it would work with indexed.
by oldnick
27 May 2011, 8:54am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Viscount bicycles!!
Replies: 2796
Views: 443950

Re: Viscount bicycles!!

That's a nice bike you have there.
Thanks for the info, I've just ordered a 13 - 26 7 speed. They can no longer get a 14 - 28 but I'm going to keep watching the bay for a few larger sprockets so I can vary the cassette to suit me.
by oldnick
22 May 2011, 7:00pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Viscount bicycles!!
Replies: 2796
Views: 443950

Re: Viscount bicycles!!

I would need a new hub because I haven't got a screw on freewheel, I've got a Shimano Uniglide freehub and cassette. The freehub only accepts uniglide cassettes which are not common.
It's explained here: http://sheldonbrown.com/k7.html
To have access to a bigger range of cassettes, I'd need to change the hub to accept either a scew on freewheel or a hyperglide freehub.
I was trying to find out if a 26 tooth bottom would be a noticeable difference from a 23 tooth. I read somewhere that a short derailleur will only work with up to 27 teeth and even then I might need a longer chain. I was hoping someone might have tried something similar and could clarify.
by oldnick
22 May 2011, 12:34pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Viscount bicycles!!
Replies: 2796
Views: 443950

Re: Viscount bicycles!!

I could do with a few replies from experienced cyclists on this one.
As per an earlier post, I purchased a new SR 40 tooth chain wheel to replace the 42 tooth. It turned out that although the bolt centres were correct, the fixing bolt holes were bigger. The top hat nuts on my existing one are too small, they pass through the holes in the new one. I've now decided on plan B which is buy a new cassette. The cassette currently fitted is a uniglide and I currently have a 6 speed 13 - 23 fitted. Looks like I'm stuck with that unless I change the hub which I don't really want to do. I'm trying to keep the bike as original as possible and will keep all old parts so it can be returned to that state in the future. The gearing for hills is too high for me, I'm struggling with it (the reason I tried to alter the chain ring). I can buy a new 7 speed 13 - 26 or 14 - 28 uniglide cassette, my questions are:
Will a 7 speed cassette fit in place of a 6 ( I did a bit of research on the Sheldon Brown site and I think it will), the spacings still give an overall 126mm, same as my 6 speed
Will the addition of a 26 tooth make a noticeable difference or would I be better off with a 28 tooth low gear?
Will my current short Altus derailleur cope with either a 26 tooth or a 28 tooth bottom gear, likewise the chain? Total teeth will be up either 3 or 5 from the current 23 (gearing going from 42 - 23 to either 42 - 26 or 42 - 28).
by oldnick
26 Apr 2011, 8:52pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Viscount bicycles!!
Replies: 2796
Views: 443950

Re: Viscount bicycles!!

photoall wrote:where do you find an image iditing program.
don't know where to look

Adobe photoshop is one, I use Ulead Photoimpact but any that will let you alter the image size and quality. I've never used it but a quick Google search threw up this, might be worth a try:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/photofiltre.html
Or you might be able to set your camera to capture a smaller file, try the lowest quality and see what size the file is.
by oldnick
26 Apr 2011, 5:59pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Viscount bicycles!!
Replies: 2796
Views: 443950

Re: Viscount bicycles!!

photoall wrote:I tried to send a photo of the viscount bike but is said the file was too large .
what do I do next.
this is new to me.
al

Alter the image, maybe make it smaller and reduce the size to less than 256Kb. Use an image editing program and save a copy as a JPEG progressive, 50 or 75 usually works.
by oldnick
23 Apr 2011, 7:07pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Viscount bicycles!!
Replies: 2796
Views: 443950

Re: Viscount bicycles!!

Here's a couple for now. I'll try and add a few better ones tommorrow.
by oldnick
22 Apr 2011, 3:57pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Viscount bicycles!!
Replies: 2796
Views: 443950

Re: Viscount bicycles!!

Bendo wrote:
oldnick wrote:
quiksilver wrote:I would keep it.

Thank you all for the replies. The knowledge here is fantastic.
I think I will take your advice. I will buy a pair of new tyres for it, clean and oil the chain and chain wheels and try to use it for a couple of evening pleasure rides a week. I haven't ridden it for twenty+ years but still remember enjoying the very few rides I had. Reminded me of when I was a school kid and also what it must be like to have a heart attack. The first ride, I got half way up a hill, stopped by a farm gate and hung over it trying to get enough air in to my lungs. By the third ride, I could get all the way up that hill without a problem. Trouble was on the return, some idiot car driver nearly knocked me off and I never rode it again. Let's hope I have better luck this time. Thanks again for the help.


One of the best posts in this thread! Make sure you come back with your impressions of your 'first' ride on your resurrected GP.

b

Well a few posts in this thread convinced me and I decided to keep and use the bike.
I guessed all the bearings etc. probably needed a re lube after those 20+ years storage. I cleaned and re lubed the chain, cassette and front chainwheels, all the ball bearings and every pivot. Then I decided to give it a spring clean so I stripped every moving part, polished all the bits of ally and re-assembled them with fresh lube. I polished the wheels, the spokes, the hubs, the gear mechanisms, brakes and levers, the mudguards and stays and all the nuts and bolts. I t-cut and polished the frame. The saddle was treated with hide food and black boot polish, a coat every evening for a couple of weeks. The original chromed steel pedals wouldn't polish up perfect so I purchased some NOS Loytard quill alloy pedals which are much better. I spent a lot of hours cleaning, greasing and oiling it but the result is I now have a thirty one year old bike that looks like it is a few months old. It is a testament to the quality of the bike that it has come up like a new 'un. It looks fantastic, everything shines like a tanner on a sweeps backside.
I took it for a short ride and the brakes were not great. I didn't realise this until we purchased a mountain bike for my missus. The brakes on that are unbelievable. I thought the original Shimano blocks had probably hardened over the thirty one years so I fitted some Kool Stop blocks (I've kept the old blocks in case I can find some new inserts and for originality). I now have brakes, they squeal a bit but I hope they'll stop as they bed in.
I fitted a new pair of Continental Ultra Sport 27" x 1 1/4" tyres, they look good and feel fine on a ride. I've also fitted a set of flashing LED lights.
The gearing is a bit high for me but I've managed to aquire an original SR Sakae crank puller and a new, unused 40 tooth SR chainwheel to replace the existing 42 tooth. It's only a 5% difference but it's the only one I could find. At £5 all in for the chain wheel, shipped from the USA, I reckon it's a steal. Do you think it will be a noticeable difference?
What really suprised me is how smooth this bike feels, it it so nice to ride. It has been so long since I last rode it, I'd forgotten. I've only ridden a few 2 -3 mile runs at the moment but I'm going to go a bit further each time until I can ride it anywhere. I am real pleased I didn't sell it.
by oldnick
2 Apr 2011, 12:04pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Viscount bicycles!!
Replies: 2796
Views: 443950

Re: Viscount bicycles!!

I'm thinking of buying these tyres to put on it. I'm unsure if they will fit on my rims, the size is right (27" x 1 1/4" rims). Are they OK for the job or do I need a different type? I don't want to spend a fortune but I don't want cheap, poor quality either. I will only be riding for pleasure and in nice weather if it makes a difference. I also thought about a pair of those flashing LED lights, they seem pretty noticeable when I see them on bikes whilst I'm driving. Would you recommend them or something else?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Continental-Ultra ... 25628a49f0
by oldnick
29 Mar 2011, 12:50am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Viscount bicycles!!
Replies: 2796
Views: 443950

Re: Viscount bicycles!!

quiksilver wrote:I would keep it.

Thank you all for the replies. The knowledge here is fantastic.
I think I will take your advice. I will buy a pair of new tyres for it, clean and oil the chain and chain wheels and try to use it for a couple of evening pleasure rides a week. I haven't ridden it for twenty+ years but still remember enjoying the very few rides I had. Reminded me of when I was a school kid and also what it must be like to have a heart attack. The first ride, I got half way up a hill, stopped by a farm gate and hung over it trying to get enough air in to my lungs. By the third ride, I could get all the way up that hill without a problem. Trouble was on the return, some idiot car driver nearly knocked me off and I never rode it again. Let's hope I have better luck this time. Thanks again for the help.
by oldnick
27 Mar 2011, 10:46am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Viscount bicycles!!
Replies: 2796
Views: 443950

Re: Viscount bicycles!!

He may have purchased it in the late seventies, I can't remember exactly when. I do remember my brother telling me it was made of aerospace bar when he purchased it. The dealer made a big thing about it. I just spoke with him and he confirmed it was sold as an aerospace. He reckons he might still have the purchase invoice, he's going to look for it.
by oldnick
26 Mar 2011, 5:18pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Viscount bicycles!!
Replies: 2796
Views: 443950

Re: Viscount bicycles!!

I'd be real obliged for any info' and a value for this one as I'm going to sell it, probably on ebay.
It's totally original, even the tyres have never been changed. My brother purchased it new around 1980 and hardly used it. I purchased it from him around 1983 and rode about 50 miles on it. It has spent most of it's life stored in my garage. It isn't mint but very clean for its age. Whats on the various components is (I'm not bike savvy so I hope the description is clear enough):
Brakes are Shimano Torneau with little black levers to open them from the rim, Shimano on levers and Shimano Dee 50 on pulls.
Hubs are marked Shimano VIA ED, wheels are marked (original oval stickers) Aluminium Rim, SHURMANN, 27" x 1 1/4", West Germany. Tyres are Michelin Speed.
Cranks are marked SILSTAR with SR SAKAE on the end caps. Chainwheels are marked SR. The pedals are marked W Germany. Rat traps are French with Record on black leather straps.
Gear selectors are marked Shimano Altus LT, selector levers Shimano.
Handlebars are marked ITM Special with Viscount on end caps. The part they clamp in is marked SR.
The frame is marked 'Hand made in England' with various stickers including Grand Prix on the front of the crossbar.
It is a twelve speed with frame number 56253.