Cycling UK Forum

dwitos079 wrote:I am pretty sure I have the death fork on my Lambert. Is this more of an urban legend than reality? Does anyone know anyone who has actually been hurt on one of these? How much could a replacement run money wise and what would be a compatible fork that I could order?

Some people in the USA were hurt badly due to failure of the death fork; Yamaha had to settle 'out of court' with a small number of people who had been injured. This was around the time of the 1981 fork recall. As for the exact numbers of individuals hurt only figures for the USA were made available - 12. Sadly the former head of Yamaha's USA Sport's division which ran the Viscount importing, distribution etc. in the USA does not want to talk about it these days so I guess we will never know how many of these 12 were badly injured or what the circumstances of the accidents were. Or, even which type of fork was being used

I know of two death fork breakages in the UK, one of which led to a very serious accident. Both of these failures were to Lambert forks. As yet I have found no evidence of any Viscount fork breakages in the UK not even on ones that covered over 60000 miles.

So 12 people injured out of 30,000+ riders or 0.04%. The basis of a legendary reputation or the realities of cycling? Sometimes components will fail e.g.
Cervelo forks
Giant forks
Campagnolo, Shimano, TA cranks
Raleigh 531 DB frame
Van Nichols titanium frame

...to name but a few from a very long list! We always take a chance of part failure every time we ride.

If you have a Lambert bike then you need to check if you have a Lambert fork on it. If you look under the fork crown (easier with the front wheel out of the way) what can you see? A nice smooth alloy surface and nothing else? This is a Lambert death fork. If you can see a round steel insert flush with the surface underside of the crown this is a Viscount death fork.

It is only my opinion here - do not ride on a Lambert fork! There are two types of Lambert fork, but to be honest, both of them are prone to breaking. After 30+ years service it is time to gently retire your Lambert fork if you have one. I know that there are dudes out there still riding on a Lambert death fork but why risk it?

As for a replacement fork, try these (I have and they pretty good considering the low price):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/27-or-700c-RA ... 5d405efbfa

AerospaceSE wrote:
Can anyone point me to a list of all the Aerospace models and the years they were produced, if such a thing exists? It would be good to put one together if it doesn't. It would be interesting to note down all the available colours and the specifications for each model, although from personal experience the Aerospace SE may prove quite wide on available specification as bought!

I WILL get round to doing this sooner or later!

jimretrowheeler wrote:Yep, that's my plan, Busaste. BTW I'm pretty sure this was a 10/12 speed - it had a pair of band on Huret shifters.

I think I'm going to leave the "patina" on the frame, just tidy up the worst rust spots and the remainder of the dirt.

Then my plan is a new Tange Levin headset, with the original alloy stem polished up and new randonneur style bars with Tektro RL520 brake levers. Not sure on saddle and seat post yet, but like the cockpit I was something modern and comfortable as it's going to be my (30 mile) ride to work a couple of days a week.

Running gear will be a Stronglight Impact compact chain set, probably a new Alivio RD and a suitable 1980s vintage band on FD and shifters. I have some nice wheels which are late 80s vintage, Mavic MA-40 rims on Campy Record Hubs which should do the job (although I've got to find a Maillard freewheel tool if I want to change the freewheel).

Any thoughts anyone?

Cheers all
Jim

Did any one reply to this post?

Here's my thoughts anyway:

Sounds like a great modernisation job that. Keeping the frame paint is always worrth it if it's possible. Those Tange Levin headsets are nice and smooth - they don't half remind me of Campag ones though! Wheels are EXCELLENT - your Viscount wont know what hit it! As for a saddle there really is only one choice and it isn't modern I'm afraid - Brooks B17. The comfiest saddle ever made and lasts for AGES.

Is your modernisation project finished?

Sooper8 wrote:Gratuitous Viscount Photo alert!

Did 20 glorious miles on Sunday night on the Aerospace Sport. That bike flies!

Here's a photo for no other reason than the bike rides as good as it looks!

Lovely summer sunlight + Viscount Aerospace - excellent!

My assumption would be that, due to the lack of any reminisce of decals and the crazy nice paint that this has been repainted.. Maybe everyone else already observed this?[/quote]

I thought it must be a repaint but then again having looked at the pictures I am not so sure. The Viscount head and seat tube badges look to be quite faded so presumably original? I have an Aerospace Sport with original paint which looks like new in most places so it is possible to have 30+ year old paint in fab condition.

As for the Viscount Pro on ebay with no bids, probably not worth taking a punt!A crack like that is always risky although replacing the top tube is an easy job for a good frame builder. It would come down to money (as usual); methinks a new buyer with no 'emotional' attachment to the bike would not be prepared to fork out £100+ for the job (and you would need a £30 frame powder coat too).

That bike is interesting though because if it is crash damage the fork survived it (unless it is a replacement of course). The join between the head/top and down tubes on an Aerospace frame is immensely strong. This was one of the areas used by Viscount to test batches of production frames for quality control. The frames always required over 10,000lbs of pull before breaking and even at that it was the tube that split rather than the joints failing. That ebay Pro must have had one helluva crash

the paint is also darker under the badges, so i think its original. unless repainted quite some time ago

I'm now convinced it is original paint (powder coated, cobalt blue, finished off with a clear powder coat).

Viscount at the time were the only UK bike manufacturer doing their own powder coating. If looked after, the paint's resilience is amazing. By comparison, at the time I can remember paint being damaged on other bikes with just a light tap of something like a spanner (some Raleighs and Vikings spring to mind).

ridelikehell wrote:Some bling for the old Viscount

Like it!

ScubaScott8177 wrote:

ridelikehell wrote:HI i dont know much about viscount bicycles, and i found this one i really like for £160. could anyone tell me if this is to pricey? as ive researched a bit and they dont seem to go for this much normally... sorry its a Viscount Sebring btw. shimano 600 rear derailleur, shurrman 27 1 1/4 steel/chrome rims (no rust) with shimano hubs. tunge bb, sr custom crank, shimano centre pull tourney brakes



thankyou

My assumption would be that, due to the lack of any reminisce of decals and the crazy nice paint that this has been repainted.. Maybe everyone else already observed this?

I thought it must be a repaint but then again having looked at the pictures I am not so sure. The Viscount head and seat tube badges look to be quite faded so presumably original? I have an Aerospace Sport with original paint which looks like new in most places so it is possible to have 30+ year old paint in fab condition.

As for the Viscount Pro on ebay with no bids, probably not worth taking a punt!A crack like that is always risky although replacing the top tube is an easy job for a good frame builder. It would come down to money (as usual); methinks a new buyer with no 'emotional' attachment to the bike would not be prepared to fork out £100+ for the job (and you would need a £30 frame powder coat too).

That bike is interesting though because if it is crash damage the fork survived it (unless it is a replacement of course). The join between the head/top and down tubes on an Aerospace frame is immensely strong. This was one of the areas used by Viscount to test batches of production frames for quality control. The frames always required over 10,000lbs of pull before breaking and even at that it was the tube that split rather than the joints failing. That ebay Pro must have had one helluva crash

DEATH FORK RALLY

Hi fellow 'forkers'

Actually, that has given me an idea for a T shirt for the day:

"Meet the forkers"

I have been contacted by a guy called James who has a blog on everything to do with bicycles in the Lichfield area which is near to where we will be meeting up.

He would like to attend and feature our rally in his blog which can be found here:
http://lichwheeld.wordpress.com/

Is everyone okay with this? For what it is worth, I think it is a good idea - connecting fellow cyclists, promoting the rally, etc.

For those of you who are coming along, if you want a route map for the ride out please can you PM me your email address so I can send you one.

Getting ever closer...

Cheers

sprockit wrote:
Trying a first post

WELCOME ABOARD!!!!!!

sprockit wrote:I have a 5-speed Viscount Sport that someone gave me about ten years ago. It's pretty low-tech but I suspect is just about how it came out of the factory. It's one of only three that I've seen with a transfer head badge as opposed to the normal riveted shield. It has a lugged steel fame, cottered cranks, 5-speed Huret/Simplex gears, Shimano Tourney side pull brakes with Shimano levers (with suicides!), Shimano hubs, 27x1 1/4 van Schothorst steel rims, and plastic/vinyl Brookes Vitesse 200 saddle that's mightily uncomfortable!

That sounds very original to me - a 1979/80 model. The word 'Sport' cropped up on a few Viscounts over the years:

Aerospace Sport 1974 - 78
Viscount Sport 1979
Viscount Sport 1982 (this went back up to a 10 speed)

The riveted head tube shield was actually used on only a handful of models - the 1978 Tulsa GL springs to mind. Most frames including those in the Aerospace range had stick on transfer head badges which were much modified a few times over the years.

sprockit wrote:I've only come across one other similar machine, a 10-speed Sprint for sale on Ebay about a year ago.

A pattern emerged in my mind - 5-speed Sport, 10-speed Sprint, and the frame looks identical to a 3-speed President which I saw about twelve months ago, also on Ebay. This leads me to guess that these are 'entry level' bikes sold through catalogue sellers such as Kays, Burlington, Empire Stores, et al.

Yes that's right, but they were also sold via Viscount dealers. Up till about 1980, nearly all none Aerospace frames were made in Taiwan (no bad thing at all!) and yes they did pop up on a variety of models!

sprockit wrote:I'll post some pictures in the near future

Looking forwards to seeing your pics!

sprockit wrote:Meanwhile, count me in for the Death Fork Rally!!Sprockit

Look forwards to seeing you there!!!

Goldie wrote:I came out of work today, jumped on the bike to ride home and got a slightly queasy, wobbling feeling from under my right foot, which turned out to be caused by the pedal spindle half shearing away where it narrows to slot inside the pedal. Does anyone have a spare? Or maybe a crank and spindle? I've got a feeling the old one isn't going to let go of the crank too easily...

Sickening photo of the damage to follow.

I think I have a spare spindle. Let me rummage through all my stuff and I will get back to you.

Don't worry, with a decent pedal spanner the spindle will come off!

You have to be very careful when removing/inserting the spindle from the pedal as the needle bearings can drop out!

If you get stuck, bring it round to me and I will help out.

If all else fails, you could gently 'retire' the OEM pedals (I'm assuming that is what they are) and put some similarly styled MKS Sylvan Road ones in:

http://www.totalcycling.com/a-z/pedals/ ... tAod6WQANw

Great build quality and laughably cheap too.

ridelikehell wrote:hahah, i just prefer look of full chrome forks.

Me too, but don't they look good with Aerospace frames?!

We must see you and your bike on the 'Death Fork' rally!

ridelikehell wrote:i cant believe this was only £90 in 78! how did they even make money?! so would it be sacrilege to stick Tange chrome forks on this then guys? or just keep it real?

Sadly, Viscount did not make a great deal of money and by 1983 it was all over...

As for the Tange forks, keep them for your next Viscount

These things can become addictive, ahem,

ridelikehell wrote:Ill post more shots later, I hate to say this but i think i prefer it to my Colnago... its super responsive and such a smooth ride. i would never have expected this from such a cheap bike? (i think it was cheap in its day?) i shall research viscounts more! but im still getting the feeling its to pricey.

Sebrings were £90 in 1978. Crazy price and only Falcon even tried to come near on price/component spec. An Aerospace Pro was £179 in 1978 by the way.

I have two Sebrings and a Sebring was my first ever Viscount. I've always loved the comfy and solid ride they have. Plus the quality of components fitted e.g. Shimano 600, SR Apex, KKT, etc. was always way above rival bikes even though Sebrings were cheaper. Which is nice...

The 'basic' Shimano hubs deserve a special mention. I'll never forget the look on the face of my LBS owner when he tried out the 'feel' of the bearings in one of these hubs and then compared it with a new Dura Ace wheel. Suffice to say, they don't make em like they used too

ridelikehell wrote:HI i dont know much about viscount bicycles, and i found this one i really like for £160. could anyone tell me if this is to pricey? as ive researched a bit and they dont seem to go for this much normally... sorry its a Viscount Sebring btw. shimano 600 rear derailleur, shurrman 27 1 1/4 steel/chrome rims (no rust) with shimano hubs. tunge bb, sr custom crank, shimano centre pull tourney brakes









thankyou

Blimey - what a minter!!!!!!!!!!

£160 is a bargain especially given the bike's superb condition and quality components. Yes, cheaper Viscounts do occasionally turn up but often they are as rough as a bear's ar*se.

Yours is one of the really early Sebrings which was mainly intended for the USA market. Give aways for this are the KKT pedals and bar stem mounted Shimano gear levers. Seat post, saddle and chainset are the only non standard parts but the replacements are high quality stuff - excellent

I think we need to pinch ourselves sometimes as a reminder of how laughably cheap Viscount land is. Full list price on a Shimano Dura Ace 11 speed cassette is £209.99. For just £160 you have a superb great looking bike that's got tons of life left in it. Whilst Bates, Hetchins, Masi, Berry, Jack Taylor etc. fans go crawling off to their bank managers looking for a vast loan we are out there having great rides on our Viscounts Who could ask for more?

By the way, The Image Works now do 'Sebring' frame stickers in addition to the others that your bike 'needs'.

Stoatie wrote:Decided against it now, don't know what his reserve is but after having scrutinized the photo's of his "all original specification" it looks like it's got bolt up hubs wing nuts on the front alloy front rim and a rusty steel rear. So that's definitely not original, who knows what else isn't. I'll keep an eye out and I'm sure one will come up.

Blimey, it went for £50

Quite a few of the bike's parts are not original and the frame is very rusty (actually, most of the bike is rusty!). Rust can be a real problem on Viscount Aerospace frames because the tube walls are so thin. A few bad patches of rust and the wall can be severely weakened.

Not an easy restoration job that one. Glad you didn't buy it!