Viscount bicycles!!
- StellaLdn.
- Posts: 626
- Joined: 6 Jun 2013, 12:29pm
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Re: Viscount bicycles!!
And it just came. Blimey, I've got my work cut out with this.
From what I gather it has mostly original components:
22" Aerospace sport frame
Handlebar
Bar stem (with V pin!)
Brakes unnamed (Weinmann?)
Viscount front and rear centre pull brakes
Birmalux seat post
Birmalux wheels on QR Viscount hubs (quite stiff, the front)
Chrome fork (needs rechroming)
Shimano Shifters
Shimano Tourney GS RD
Shimano 50 FD
Shorties (very rusty mudguards)
Maxi crank set?
And some heavy deformed and rusty steel pedals (looks like Lyotard) which I'll probably discard.
I'll give it a very good clean tomorrow, check the hubs, etc. The BB doesn't wobble, but will probably need servicing anyway. So, that's another project. Not that I'll ever get bored.
Pictures now on my blog, for it's easier to upload there than here: http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk ... -blue.html
From what I gather it has mostly original components:
22" Aerospace sport frame
Handlebar
Bar stem (with V pin!)
Brakes unnamed (Weinmann?)
Viscount front and rear centre pull brakes
Birmalux seat post
Birmalux wheels on QR Viscount hubs (quite stiff, the front)
Chrome fork (needs rechroming)
Shimano Shifters
Shimano Tourney GS RD
Shimano 50 FD
Shorties (very rusty mudguards)
Maxi crank set?
And some heavy deformed and rusty steel pedals (looks like Lyotard) which I'll probably discard.
I'll give it a very good clean tomorrow, check the hubs, etc. The BB doesn't wobble, but will probably need servicing anyway. So, that's another project. Not that I'll ever get bored.
Pictures now on my blog, for it's easier to upload there than here: http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk ... -blue.html
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
-- Confucius
http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk/
-- Confucius
http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk/
Re: Viscount bicycles!!
Whippet wrote:PS. I'm the one on the far right with a red top on.
Of course you are. I should have looked more closely to see that amazing bike with the NOS forks! And that led me to guess that it must be Busaste standing slightly in front of the group like a proud Captain of the Guard. The give-away again is the presence by his side of another VA Sport in simply stellar condition. Thanks also Sprockit for ID-ing yourself.
Cusqueno, I gather the Lambert's rear mech survived the whole ride? b
Re: Viscount bicycles!!
Bendo wrote:
Cusqueno, I gather the Lambert's rear mech survived the whole ride? b
Lambert RD vindicated! Managed the whole ride without more than a dropped chain once or twice. As I had only completed putting the bike together the day before, I was very happy with this. The mech was reliably changing over all the cogs using both the two larger chain wheels. Like the early Lambert on Classic Rendezvous http://www.classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/Lambert/Lambert_DBs_1.htm mine has the 32-42-52 chain set. Busaste checked the chain line and found that it is within spec. However the FD wouldn't shift down to the smallest chain wheel. I'm using a Prestine thread less bottom bracket and there may be scope for some adjustment to improve changing at the front.
Stellaldn - nice new bike. Lots of good original Viscount parts. Strange the pedals are rather basic and the derailleurs are definitely mid-range.
In the big line-up I am on the extreme left in striped polo shirt. I changed into blue & black cycling top and shorts for the ride. (Middle Aged Man In Lycra of course.)
- StellaLdn.
- Posts: 626
- Joined: 6 Jun 2013, 12:29pm
- Location: London
- Contact:
Re: Viscount bicycles!!
"Stellaldn - nice new bike. Lots of good original Viscount parts. Strange the pedals are rather basic and the derailleurs are definitely mid-range."
Agree, Cusqueno. The pedals may have been bought later on. They're super heavy. The Birmalux wheels are a different set, too. The back has grooves in rim, the front doesn't. I think I can spruce it up and make it a good city bike again. The derailleurs are the same as Shawn has. Will tend to the wheels and some of the rust today. Then check all the mechs. Hope it's not too bad and I can rescue everything to make it rideable. I'm pretty sure, though, at some point it's time for a new bottom bracket. It has a little speedometer on it:
If that's the miles the bike's run ...
Agree, Cusqueno. The pedals may have been bought later on. They're super heavy. The Birmalux wheels are a different set, too. The back has grooves in rim, the front doesn't. I think I can spruce it up and make it a good city bike again. The derailleurs are the same as Shawn has. Will tend to the wheels and some of the rust today. Then check all the mechs. Hope it's not too bad and I can rescue everything to make it rideable. I'm pretty sure, though, at some point it's time for a new bottom bracket. It has a little speedometer on it:
If that's the miles the bike's run ...
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
-- Confucius
http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk/
-- Confucius
http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk/
- StellaLdn.
- Posts: 626
- Joined: 6 Jun 2013, 12:29pm
- Location: London
- Contact:
Re: Viscount bicycles!!
I had the honour of touching the golden Lambert yesterday. Thank you, Cusqueno, for showing me your bike collection (it ain't small, let me tell you this). Also received a brand-spanking new ruby red Aerospace Sport frame, and other goodies.
Update on the blue VA Sport: according to our resident expert Busaste it's as original as it can get, apart from the rear wheel (Milreno Super club and Maillard skewer), and the pedals, I believe aren't original either. It looks as if it doesn't need any major work, apart from cables (inner/outer), hub bearings serviced/changed, wheels need truing, but apart from that I think I'll soon be riding around on it. The rest is cosmetic and can be done when I've got the funds to do so. Or when Shawn is ready to be on the roads again. Whichever comes first.
Update on the blue VA Sport: according to our resident expert Busaste it's as original as it can get, apart from the rear wheel (Milreno Super club and Maillard skewer), and the pedals, I believe aren't original either. It looks as if it doesn't need any major work, apart from cables (inner/outer), hub bearings serviced/changed, wheels need truing, but apart from that I think I'll soon be riding around on it. The rest is cosmetic and can be done when I've got the funds to do so. Or when Shawn is ready to be on the roads again. Whichever comes first.
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
-- Confucius
http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk/
-- Confucius
http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk/
Re: Viscount bicycles!!
I'm the female bloke in the green top. What a lovely film.
Rushing through the air at 12 miles an hour will lift the gloomiest thoughts from the mind...and what torpidity of soul is not surmounted by the continuous, delicate interaction of nerve and muscle....C. THEODORE EWART, M.D.
Re: Viscount bicycles!!
I'm second from right- holding 2 bikes.
My son, Dom, took that picture, and all the good footage and photos that I use in the short film. Mine is all the shaky stuff.
I won't post a link (and I don't know if this is bad form to mention this here?) but I created a forum the other week when I was testing out how hard it would be to make one. This was about a week before the Rally and then people made some mention of a forum in a round about way while we were stopped on the ride.
The forum was free and very easy to set up. It's basic to say the least. But it is also customisable and flexible.
Not a single person has found it on Google since I made it and therefore it is pretty useless as a repository of Viscount/Lambert knowledge for those searching the web for help.
I also feel that if people have posted tutorials and helpful items here, then they will not want to re-post in a lesser visited location. So, it might be a bit pointless but at least it only took me literally 10 mins to make.
However, if anyone is interested in the idea then feel free to pm me.
My son, Dom, took that picture, and all the good footage and photos that I use in the short film. Mine is all the shaky stuff.
I won't post a link (and I don't know if this is bad form to mention this here?) but I created a forum the other week when I was testing out how hard it would be to make one. This was about a week before the Rally and then people made some mention of a forum in a round about way while we were stopped on the ride.
The forum was free and very easy to set up. It's basic to say the least. But it is also customisable and flexible.
Not a single person has found it on Google since I made it and therefore it is pretty useless as a repository of Viscount/Lambert knowledge for those searching the web for help.
I also feel that if people have posted tutorials and helpful items here, then they will not want to re-post in a lesser visited location. So, it might be a bit pointless but at least it only took me literally 10 mins to make.
However, if anyone is interested in the idea then feel free to pm me.
Re: Viscount bicycles!!
Great footage Sooper8 & son. Loved the music.
I am 2nd from left with the blue figure hugging t-shirt.
I am 2nd from left with the blue figure hugging t-shirt.
- StellaLdn.
- Posts: 626
- Joined: 6 Jun 2013, 12:29pm
- Location: London
- Contact:
Re: Viscount bicycles!!
Lewisg wrote:https://www.dropbox.com/s/fmpvdj1gjbzbmd4/2013-07-12%2010.40.33.jpg
You got it! Wonderful! Let's see who's cycling around with this the first: you are I. I'm very tempted to fit it on Shawn. Or maybe the new frame.
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
-- Confucius
http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk/
-- Confucius
http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk/
Re: Viscount bicycles!!
StellaLdn. wrote:You got it! Wonderful! Let's see who's cycling around with this the first: you are I. I'm very tempted to fit it on Shawn. Or maybe the new frame.
I'll bet you. I'm still way off.
- StellaLdn.
- Posts: 626
- Joined: 6 Jun 2013, 12:29pm
- Location: London
- Contact:
Re: Viscount bicycles!!
I had the naive believe that I could get Shawn back on the roads quickly, but that's not the case. At the moment, I'm fighting with his stuck seat post. I will get it out, I know I will.
The new blue one is cleaned up so far, but I'm fighting with the bearings that are stuck in the hubs. The skiptooth freewheel's off, but I can't get the bearings out. Grrrr. It's easier when one comes out with the axle. Will need to think and find a solution. Guess the blue bike is back on the road earlier than Shawn. It needs the forks re-chromed, though, but that's cosmetic and can be done once Shawn's ready to be ridden.
Whichever it is, I'm always riding around on a Viscount.
The new blue one is cleaned up so far, but I'm fighting with the bearings that are stuck in the hubs. The skiptooth freewheel's off, but I can't get the bearings out. Grrrr. It's easier when one comes out with the axle. Will need to think and find a solution. Guess the blue bike is back on the road earlier than Shawn. It needs the forks re-chromed, though, but that's cosmetic and can be done once Shawn's ready to be ridden.
Whichever it is, I'm always riding around on a Viscount.
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
-- Confucius
http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk/
-- Confucius
http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk/
Re: Viscount bicycles!!
StellaLdn. wrote:I had the naive believe that I could get Shawn back on the roads quickly, but that's not the case. At the moment, I'm fighting with his stuck seat post. I will get it out, I know I will.
A decent file and a LOT of patience?
- StellaLdn.
- Posts: 626
- Joined: 6 Jun 2013, 12:29pm
- Location: London
- Contact:
Re: Viscount bicycles!!
Nope. Busaste said hot/cold treatment. I don't have access to a torch, so I'll try something he said I shouldn't try: I took the bolt out and wiggled the seat back and forth (just very, very carefully), then poured Plus Gas in the gap around the tube. Will repeat for a few days and then try to move it. I think it's not looking too bleak. Then off to someone with a vice, putting another tube into the seat post, then into a vice and moving the frame. Maybe it's not even necessary with the Plus Gas treatment. Although may get some ice spray and try to cool it before wiggling again.
There's a crack on the top of the tube, just in the back next to the pin, but I don't know if it's only the pain or the frame. If it's the frame I'll now soon enough. Didn't look like it today, though. Will keep you posted.
There's a crack on the top of the tube, just in the back next to the pin, but I don't know if it's only the pain or the frame. If it's the frame I'll now soon enough. Didn't look like it today, though. Will keep you posted.
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
-- Confucius
http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk/
-- Confucius
http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk/
- StellaLdn.
- Posts: 626
- Joined: 6 Jun 2013, 12:29pm
- Location: London
- Contact:
Re: Viscount bicycles!!
I have a question re the Viscount logo:
I've been wondering what on earth the marketing people were smoking when they created the logo. Or maybe it were the people who produced the decals, on a Friday at 4.59.
ViSCOUnt. Very, very, odd. I like it, but it's still odd.
I've been wondering what on earth the marketing people were smoking when they created the logo. Or maybe it were the people who produced the decals, on a Friday at 4.59.
ViSCOUnt. Very, very, odd. I like it, but it's still odd.
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
-- Confucius
http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk/
-- Confucius
http://theviscountaffect.blogspot.co.uk/