Cycling UK Forum

Stella, Thanks for the link!
Talk about dopey things you do and for what purpose I don't know, I called the old 800 phone # for the fork recalls and believe it or not, it's is an aerospace related company! Go figure
I'm thinking we make a movie on the search for the lost Viscount frames staring Harrison Ford. Get the script going Stella

I know for a fact that Yamaha in California still had Aerospace frames as late as June 1983 because I got a nice new one under warranty.....and then the mystery begins.....where did they all go????

My wild adventure to take a beat up Aerospace GP frame and turn it into a modern marvel with a touch of the old is in full swing. I'm opting for a colorful, fun single speed conversion to noodle around the neighborhood on since I'm blessed with sufficient multi speed bicycles including an Aerospace Pro and two Gran Touring models. There is enough redundancy already. Believe it or not, I selected the color scheme from a pair of sneakers I've gotten plenty of comments on, with some saying how attractive they are and some saying how hideous they are! I expect the same reaction from you guys!

So far the parts I mapped out are as follows:
Vuelta track wheelset with blue rims and soon to be removed hideous stickers
Sunlite/CST Super HP yellow tires
Retrospec blue 46 tooth crankset
Shimano 20 tooth single speed freewheel (for noodling easy)
KMC Z410 1/8th yellow chain
NOS Viscount centerpull brakes with NOS Diacompe hangers and NOS Viscount seat binder bolt
Wuler 4130 cromoly 700c fork
Tange Levin CDS headset
Nitto Technomic quill stem
Handlebars will be a shallow drop TBD
Techtronic short reach brake levers
Cable color and handlebar tape TBD
Threaded cartridge BB, length and type TBD with imput from my LBS who will also cut the thread. I ground off the tubes extending into the shell.
Fake SR Laprade seatpost with Fake Fizik knockoff Nashbar saddle(white)
Viscount head badge, of course!

I learned one important thing about non-Death fork replacements. The quill stem binder MUST be below the threaded section of the fork steerer tube which is hard to find on a 24" frame, hence the Technomic fork for it extra long insertion length. I've kept all the braze ons intact in case I ever want to go back to multi speed.

I found a good, reasonable powder coat guy and am very happy with step one of this process. Picked up my Kiwi green frame and fork today and shot some "after" shots to go along with the "before" shots. Next it's off to my LBS for headset, fork and BB installation.

I'm thoroughly enjoying the planning and creative aspects of this project and some of the mechanical thats within my ability.
Enjoy the photos!

To paraphrase our ex-Presidential candidate George Romney, we have "binders full of Viscounts"
Excellent job everyone!

Love it! What started out as a shout in the dark by Busaste back in 2009 about a bankrupt bicycle company has turned into a living, breathing BEAST

Just back from my 18 miler at sunrise. Hope you guys have a great time!
There in spirit with you all! What a beautiful sunrise for you guys!

Here it is:

I've got an old promotional bumper sticker "VISCOUNT TAKES IT OFF SO YOU CAN GET IT ON". I'll try to post it after the big weekend and if possible turn it into another shirt design. Glad I saved it and it didn't end up joining my old Chevy when it went to "The Crusher"!

Stella, love the blog! I bought my Gran Touring up in school back in 1976 and once my fellow classmates got wind of it, they followed suit with Aerospace GP's and Pro's too. We had some glorious large group rides up to Niagra Falls on our shiny new Viscounts! The rally reminds me of the old days....a pack ride of Viscounts.

I'll go out for an early morning ride before work on my 1st born to be symbolically there with you guys and I'll be wearing my Viscount shirt all day!
Best wishes for an all-around great time at the rally from your NY representative

http://www.zazzle/viscountshirts.co.uk
http://www.zazzle/viscountshirts.com

Another nice ride on my "Staycation" down to the beach with the Mrs on my Viscount Gran Touring with comfy upright bars. It just celebrated its 37th birthday with me! Cell phone camera quality not so good....sorry.

sounds very sweet and modern. Please post pictures. One place lists the Retrospec as needing a 103mm spindle. Also what size crank arms are you getting? I'm a big believer in 165mm for fixed gear road bike conversions. No more than 170 if you are really tall. Also, the shop knows that it needs Italian threads?

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Going for earthy/bright summer tones: blue sky, green grass and yellow sun as a color mix. This project is half function and half art. The only size crankarms are 165mm for Retrospec. I'm using 46/20 for a nice easy gear. This bike is will be about look and comfort and showing off the Viscount headbadge in a modern incarnation. As far as the threads go, my old Viscount Gran Touring has an English threaded standard loose bb/axle. Shimano and FSA both make English threaded units in 103-110mm. The Retrospec rep told me they use a 110mm but thats with a 110 rear wheel spacing and I'm going with a 120mm Vuelta that I need to add two 3mm spacers to. He told me the best way to select the bb is to see in the shop with the different lengths how things line up. Should be interesting!

Hi jankdc and stella
I'm in Long Island, NY and yes jankdc, I've already ground down the overextended tubes for a cartridge bb. I did look at the vo bb but i want the LBS to be able to try in different sizes with everything else on the bike there and in place to get the best line. I ordered a Retrospec crankset in blue to contrast a Kiwi green frame. It will be a totally different color Viscount! No paint today since the powder hasn't arrived yet as per my painter

jankdc wrote:Bottom bracket question:

I'm building up my bike as a fixed gear and am using parts from another bike. I need a jis taper spindle for my cranks. One option is to get a phil wood spindle, but it costs about $85 and use the 6003-2RS bearings. As I was doing research, I saw this video on disassembling the bottom bracket cartridge on a phil wood hub. Are other cartridge bottom brackets built like this? Could I get a spindle out of a cheaper bottom bracket and use it? Finally, with installing bearings and spindles, one poster recommended using locktite. With the modern press fit bearings, they recommend grease. I've seen other people recommend nothing. What is the current consensus especially with a spindle without c-clips. Thanks!

Viscount.jpg

p.s. Is there a way to attach video from youtube on the board?

Nice to see another rep from the USA. I rebuilt the same Pro tubular last winter with gears. As per Busaste's advice at the time, the circlips were not of any real importance other than period correctness. I was fortunate enough to obtain a NOS axle and had my LBS install the BB due to my own limitations!

Like you, I'm now onto a single speed conversion and I'm going to have my LBS tap a thread on my old Aerospace GP frame with crappy paint so as to place a modern cartridge BB (shimano?) to get a proper chain line probably 68x 107 or 110mm. I'm starting this with no parts but I've purchased and wishlisted some nice NOS and modern parts. Frame and new 4130 cro-moly fork go for powdercoating tomorrow and I hope to get it right. My first project of this magnitude so it should be interesting and challenging. I hope to post before and after pics with help from the tech squad (my daughter).

Sooper8 wrote:I'm staying on the same camp site as you Whippet, and will be in my camper van, so I was planning to take that to the start/end of the route and be able to make some tea, etc
At the site I will be putting the awning out, so if people want to hang out for a bit they are welcome.

My wife used to live in London back 60's to early 70's and every mention of afternoon tea makes her nostalgic...... and lets me get in a few words about the latest Viscount postings without boring her to tears!!!

Sooper8 wrote:

triitout wrote:B, I'd take it a step further. How about uploading a video of the event of the year to YouTube!!!

Yes, I am pretty sure I can do that...

When I say 'I' , I mean my son who is very good at that kind of thing

And I am sure there will be lots of photo's

Thanks so much to your son becoming the "cinematographer"!
Looking forward to the pics too