VISCOUNT FRONT FORKS

[martin biggs]

help required can anyboby out there tell me if all viscount bike front forks were recomended to be replaced due to a fault in manufacturing ? or is it just certain frame numbers that are affected .
any other info would be helpfull as just picked one up , might use for daily commute or sell on .

[aesmith]

I assume you're referring to the late '70s lugless Viscounts. It was the alloy ones that were suspect, if I recall correctly, but I can't remember the reason. My pal rode one, but his had steel forks.

Tony S

[GeoffL]

According to Sheldon Brown's article the problem forks were cast aluminium with a steel steerer. Sheldon even went as far as to shout: "UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD A LAMBERT OR VISCOUNT BE RIDDEN WITH THE ORIGINAL CAST ALUMINUM FORK!!!!!!!!!"

HTH,

Geoff

[PW]

The steel ones are fine. I have one in the shed which must have done 50,000m and might see more winter iron use yet.

[ruffstuffbob]

Hi all, I have a Viscount which I use as a "hack" and as a " playing out bike" and note the problems indicated but ,how do you know the difference between a steel fork and an aluminium one or is it obvious and I'm being daft. Bob. J.

[thirdcrank]

Test with a magnet

[ruffstuffbob]

It's obvious innit, I am daft but I bet I'm not the only one, I hope. Thanks. Bob. J.

[martin biggs]

thanks for all the help just checked and they are good old magnetic steel items , so will be able to ride it once all running ok. thanks martin

[Tandemist]

We were talking about the infamous Viscount "Death Forks" down the cycling club the other night.
Our Club President said if they've lasted this long they're probably alright !
On a similar note, I remember seeing an old Raleigh racing bike at a bike shop in Cambridge, which had half it's handlebar missing. It had apparently rusted through and suddenly given way, and there was some of the rider's blood left on the remaining part from when he fell off as a result...

[doodzy]

lol i've just brought a viscount off ebay for £27. It's a hybrid so i'm assuming its was produced after the fork of death incident, although I haven't tested it yet because I haven't actually picked it up yet! Is there any way to check how old it is ?

[quiksilver]

Try using the ' Search' facility and look at the extensive thread currently on this page for Viscount Bicycles, it may well help?