Bendo wrote:One thing I just noticed is that the Aerospace Sport in the picture has the chromoly fork. I hadn't realised that the aluminium fork (see how I didn't use the term "death fork"? hehe) was only standard on the Pro. The Sport pictured also has Maxy cranks like mine but I wish I could see the chainrings. It looks like it's got the three pin where mine has the five pin. It also has centre-pull brakes (Viscount? Dia-Compe?) where mine came with sidepull Weinmanns. And by the look of that rear derailleur it has the long reach Titlist, not the racing Crane rear mech.
I'm always amazed by how many differences there were in factory spec components for the same bike. I wonder why that was. Like Busaste I wish I could find someone who used to work for Viscount-Trusty... b
I know a huge amount about Lambert and Viscount having spent the last few years researching the former companies history, models, etc. I am trying - within the constraints of family, work, etc. - to get it all together in written form. It is a fascinating story (especially to a Viscount nerd like me), so fascinating in fact that I could not commit all of it to paper as I lack the financial means to defend myself in court should a libel case be brought against me. Also,
there is so much BS and misinformation on the net about Viscounts and Lamberts that something HAS to be done. So, watch this space.
Regarding your post Bendo I hope this helps:
a)
"I hadn't realised that the aluminium fork (see how I didn't use the term "death fork"? hehe) was only standard on the Pro".It was standard on the Aerospace Pro, GP, Grand Sport and Supabike.
Well done for dropping the 'death fork' tag. The alloy fork has never killed any one. The mark 3 design is strong and probably never will...
b)
"It looks like it's got the three pin where mine has the five pin".Viscount only used 3 pin Sugino Maxy cranks. 5 pin cranks are an aftermarket fitment. Having said that it is
just possible that the odd bike may have left the factory with a Maxy 5 pin crank (see below).
c)
"It also has centre-pull brakes (Viscount? Dia-Compe?) where mine came with sidepull Weinmanns"The CP brakes were designed by Lambert and made for them by a midlands casting firm. Although I say "designed" they were heavily inspired by Weinmann 999s! The recess in one of the CPs, a la Weinmann, originally had a 'Lambert' sticker (white lettering on a blue background) which later changed to Viscount (check out the pictures of my 99% original red Aerospace Sport on this forum to see what I mean). Weinmann sidepulls were never fitted to Aerospace bikes made up till 1979.
d)
"And by the look of that rear derailleur it has the long reach Titlist, not the racing Crane rear mech"The 1975 - 77 Aerospace Sport was fitted with a Shimano Tourney GS RD. Originally it was intended to be a small jockey Shimano 500 for a 14 - 28 freewheel but this was changed as Viscount wanted the Sport to have all round - club ride, race, tour, commute - every man (and woman!) appeal hence the use of a Shimano 'skip tooth' 14 - 34 (or 32) freewheel and a long jockey RD.
e)
"I'm always amazed by how many differences there were in factory spec components for the same bike"Chronic parts supply problems and big sales made it almost impossible to maintain the same parts on each model within the range. This led on occasions to the use of a non 'standard' part appearing on a model. I know of one Aerospace Pro for example that left the factory with a Suntour RD rather than the ubiquitous Shimano Crane.
In Viscount's heyday of the USA "ten speed racer" boom at least one container of 400 bikes a week was shipped out there. Shame it all went pear shaped in the early '80s.
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