Cycling UK Forum

lookoutmountain wrote:I'm assuming that their golden era 'aero' thing still influenced the design of their 80s bike frames, cos the Grand Tourer frame I've just built up is too light and bendy for taking any extra weight beyond a sleeping bag and some biscuits (geometry somewhere between road and tourer). Its made a lovely bike for day rides and commuting though, comfortable on rough roads but it still feels fast. It had been scrapped due to a seized steerer and there was some superficial rust, I replaced the front forks with straighter threadless ones and paid £30 to blast and powder coat. I'd recommend keeping an eye out, the stock components are pretty crap, but you can build em up into something fun.

I've used my Gran Touring Viscount with panniers for point to point touring back in the 70's and it was fine. I also used it for my first triathlon in the 80's so I'd say its versatility is up there. All the aerospace frames are the same so its all a matter of how you dress them up

Some interesting craigslist finds stateside

http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/bik/4039784467.html http://houston.craigslist.org/bid/4033882994.html

Pics from Maine:

[quote="jankdc"]I got my fixed gear together. It's a little under 20lbs with the lights and pedals. It rides great and fits

Nice job! It looks like we've got a little single speed sub-category going. I've got to get mine weighed at my LBS. I've got the medium deep v wheels that aren't too light so I doubt I broke 22 lbs, but it is a fun, lively ride.

My old blue Gran Touring is living up to its name this week. I'm up in Acadia Nat'l Park, Maine, riding these amazing carriage roads. 55 miles of packed cinder, no cars, and amazing views. With the upright handlebars, 27 x 1 1/4 tires it rides like a cross between racing, cyclocross, and mt bike. Amazingly good handling. Last time I was up here, was 30+ years ago when we were both just young pups!

Whippet wrote:Aaarrghhh, my eyes!!! my eyes!!!!

No seriously, I love it. Must be loads of fun.

Just took another ride on it this afternoon even though I'm totally shot from my morning triathlon (hence the username triitout), and it really brings a smile to my face . This is the funnest bike EVER! Somehow I really nailed the fit to the point I've now got to adjust my Pro to match. It just carves up the turns and is an all around pleasure I've even given it a proper model name: Viscount Aerospace Kiwi SS (for the frame color & super sport or single speed, your pick).

Hi gang,
It's finally finished and I just did my first 10 miler on it! Smooth as silk and handles great It really was a whole lot of fun figuring out parts compatibility and color scheme. I know that this may seem like blasphemy to do this to a Viscount but it sure is a way to get one noticed and open up the conversation with those who've never heard of the brand. For the record, it's a single speed like I used to ride as a kid when I first got hooked on bicycling. No fixie for me. Next project???

Did a quick search for custom jerseys, etc and http://www.flamecycling.com looked reasonable with no minimums!

A big THANK YOU for whomever recently purchased Viscount shirts! I hope you enjoy wearing them as much as I do.

.

Stella,
Your blue bike is looking good!. Just placed an order for the final pieces of my Kiwi Viscount. Looking forward to seeing it complete but then I'm sure I'll need another project. If I'm remembering it correctly, my favorite line from the great Harry Chapin's "Taxi" was "Its got to be the going, not the getting there that's good".

Whippet wrote:Triitout, it's terrible, sell it to me immediately.

This is one of those projects that just keeps on adding up so nobody in their right mind would even pay cost for this! I think I've made a bad assumption that people on this forum are all in their right mind!

Phase two LBS work is now complete. I ended up using a Velo Orange thread less BB instead of cutting a thread. A nice NOS Viscount brake set is going on. It came without the mounting hardware so taking it apart and resetting the springs was not easy and will need further fine tuning since they look a little cockeyed. The bike shop guys loved the colors and it gave me chance to tell the Viscount story to the uninformed. Still have to decide on stem length and colors for the cables, tape and pedals with input from the wife and kid, who are the co-designers. Any suggestions??
The heart of a bicycle is the frame so even though it looks wild, its still a Viscount (re-imagined).

Here's a link for the top tube cable guides that I used on my Gran Touring. http://www.bikeworldusa.us/CABLE-GUIDE-DIACOMPE-TOP-TUBE-CHROME/M/B0047MH9E2.htm?traffic_src=GB&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=GB&id=uk

If the crown race on the fork itself isn't worn I would just go with a new 1" Tange Levin cds headset with a 27.0 race otherwise the LBS should be able to turn it into a 26.4 with the Tange levin cds with a 26.4 race.
I'm now going with a Velo Orange thread less BB on my Kiwi green conversion since my LBS didn't have the tools for threading. They'll try several sizes to get the right chain line. Should be back next week.

Hey B, It's not a BBC bike. This guy's in California. It may not be on EBay Australia so check EBay.com to enjoy the photo's. It's worth a look

Take a look on ebay.com. There's a listing for a Viscount GP that was never used as in brand new! The price is crazy but the pictures posted are great!