Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Did I pay too much for a 1970's Viscount?

Just wondering if anyone out there knows the value of a 1970's Viscount. I bought one for $60 yesterday (complete with the aluminum "death fork", which I intend on replacing). All the parts are original, including the aluminum rims and the hard-as-rock saddle. I don't know the exact year...1976 or so, I'd guess. It's very lightweight and in good condition. Yet I can't help but wonder-- did I pay too much?
Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

I wouldn't say you paid too much, if the bike is complete and in rideable condition (death fork notwithstanding!).

I don't know if you have seen this or not, but here is a link to Sheldon Brown's site: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lambert.html

Enjoy your new ride! :D

P.S. Pictures are always nice, too......

Nope.

Any decent road bike in good working order is worth $60 and more, especially if it fits you well and you like the way it rides. I'm in the middle of overhauling, cleaning, and re-assembling a thrift-store found Viscount right now, and they seem to be pretty nicely built bikes. I especially like the look of the drive-side crank....lotsa bling when it's polished up, and all the circle cutouts are way cool!

Mine's not "stock" though - it has the replacement chrome fork, platform pedals, and barcons. The barcons have now been replaced with DT shifters, and I'll probably put toe-clip pedals on it when it's finally assembled and ready to ride.

Thanks for the feedback!

Good luck with your Viscount overhaul, bigbossman.

And thanks for the Sheldon Brown link, Koala.

$60 is OK. That was my first real bike. I think I paid the exorbitant price of $175 in '77 for it. The BB has pressed in sealed bearings that seize, but you can get replacements from any bearing supply store. Mine were about $16 for the pair.

Good luck with your Viscount overhaul, bigbossman.

And thanks for the Sheldon Brown link, Koala.

Thanks - I'd be done by now and posting pics if it weren't so d@mn hot in the garage! We've been having a bit of a heat wave here - lots of pool time, not so much bike building time. :mad:

Ditto to what bigbossman said! We are having a heatwave here, too. I got out early and overhauled the BB on my new Gitane, then gave it up for the day. I'll do the headset another time!

Ditto to what bigbossman said! We are having a heatwave here, too. I got out early and overhauled the BB on my new Gitane, then gave it up for the day. I'll do the headset another time!

Yeah - I wanted to finish the Viscount, but the only way I was gonna get a ride in today was if I went early. Up at 6:30am, out at 7, hit the road and did a quick 30 miles. Got back at just after 9am and it was already too hot to work in the garage so I jumped in the pool and floated for a while.... :D

Took a shower, took the family out for lunch, hit Performance for knick-knacks, and went to see "Nacho Libre".

Later this afternoon, it cooled off enough to do a bit of wrenching. I finally finished the Viscount, save taping the bars. I'm waiting on some thin bar tape.

Interesting thing I noticed about the Viscount wheel bearings - similar to the BB bearings, they are pressed-in bearing units.

The Viscount is the first road bike i bought. I think paid $15 or something for it, and, so far, it's gotten two of my friends hooked on road cycling. If it still fit me, i'd still be ridding it.

I remember when Lamberts first came out, and a LBS not too far from home was going to sell them. He had a lot of literature on them but no bikes. Of course, after reading all the literature with all the talk about aircraft tubing and insanely light weight, I desperately wanted one. The price was right, too. They were very reasonable in cost for the weight.

Like most other things I lusted for as a kid, I never got a Lambert. Or a Schwinn Krate, or that hot blonde either.

Maybe one of these days I'll stumble on to one. I'd still buy it, and after 30+ years it would look better than the blonde. :eek:

On the positive side-the way I rode as a teenager coupled with the death fork could have been a disaster.

Back in the late mid 70's I went to LBS determined to buy a bike. Now when I
would get ready to purchase something I'd research it (audiophile leftover) so I read
anything I could. I knew weight was important, italian steel was expensive etc.
I go to the shop, in my price range I'm shown entry Bianchis, Somas, Nishikis you know, good
bikes not terribly light.
Then this Silver and Black bike leaning quietly against the wall catches my eye. . .
"what's that?" I say? Salesman says "that is an insanely light bike, It's like a $700 bike
for less than $250". . . Sold I said.
Mine wasn't totally stock, had Mavic Module E rims, and Suntour Cyclone drivetrain.
After getting rid of the rock hard, heavy Lambert saddle (replaced with an Avocet)
removed reflectors, put on Ultra6 freewheel and chain the bike was well into the
sub 20 pound range.
I loved it, whippy frame and all.
one day I'll find another of those Aerospace Pros.

(notice how many of us had Lambert/viscount as first "real" bike? )

Marty

Like most other things I lusted for as a kid, I never got a Lambert. Or a Schwinn Krate, or that hot blonde either.

Duuuude....you lived in SoCal and never got a hot blonde? I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, and you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting 2 or 3. They were a dime a dozen. Hot brunnettes were in short supply though, and I didn't obtain one until well after high school. I married her.......... :D



On the positive side-the way I rode as a teenager coupled with the death fork could have been a disaster.

+1 on that. See my previous posts on how we abused our Varsities.......;)

Duuuude....you lived in SoCal and never got a hot blonde? I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, and you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting 2 or 3. They were a dime a dozen. Hot brunnettes were in short supply though, and I didn't obtain one until well after high school. I married her

Heh, I got the hot brunette, too. Been married to her 28 years as of last Saturday. Much more reliable than a blonde! BTW-she has relatives fairly close to you in Danville. Nice country up there. A little warm, but nice!

Get rid of the straight square bottom brocket and crankset if you intend to ride the bike hard. Those silly cranks always seem to work themselves loose, and those old BB axles have a reputation for snapping. I just converted my Lambert to a sealed tapered BB and modern crankset - alot of sweat but came out OK.

The Viscount sealed BB was smmoth but the *&%# spindle was subject to un-expected snapping off on the crank side. I saw at least 2 on the road leaving us with the crankset dangling on our foot by the pedal.

I threaded the BB (Italian thread) and installed a standard (at the time) Campy BB. No further problems 25 years later.....

My memories about Lamberts are not good ones, I'm afraid.

Back in the early 70's at the height of the bike boom, one of my buddies in the Presque Isle Bicycle Club (Erie, PA) opened his own bicycle shop. Dealt Atala and Fuji (first Japanese bike seen in that area). I took a leave from the Schwinn/Raleigh dealer where I worked and went to work for him to assist him in getting started.

He also took on Lambert (they hadn't come out yet) and had to pay in advance for the shipment of bikes . . . . which never arrived, constant company troubles. He never quite recovered from the financial hit. Of course, my gold one was in the order.

Finally saw a Lambert the following year (73?) at TOSRV. The guy who rode in was the center of attention, as there were lots of people there who'd put orders down on the bikes, and never saw delivery. For years, I figured that Lambert was just a big scam and never really produced any bikes, then in retrospect I find out they actually did hit the road, but mainly under the Viscount name.

Syke
Deranged Few M/C

He also took on Lambert (they hadn't come out yet) and had to pay in advance for the shipment of bikes . . . . which never arrived, constant company troubles. He never quite recovered from the financial hit. Of course, my gold one was in the order.

Saved you from the death fork, though......

One of the LBS's in my area was going to carry Lamberts. He had lots of literature but no bikes. I was all excited about them but had no money. I can't remember if he ever got them. The bike shop opened in about '72 or so, and just closed a year ago.

All the parts are original, including . . . the hard-as-rock saddle.
Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!
Is the saddle intact? Are you discarding or keeping? Pls, email me.

I always heard about the "death fork" on these but in the mid-late 70s when we bought them we club raced them, jumped, thrashed them and even cross country toured on these forks. (X country tour needed a change in wheels, gearing and associated racks and such). BB was the only mechanical problem.

I did change the fork (to the chrome Tange) when Yamaha did the recall but still have the original hanging around. I have pondered re-installing it for "old times sake" for neighborhood rec rides. It was quite compliant on road vibes.

P.S. Pictures are always nice, too......

This is my '76('77?) Viscount. The bike is all "original", i.e. the way I bought it new, including the infamous DEATH FORK. The only things that aren't factory are: the rear skewer (which I broke), the seat (I had the original plastic one changed for one with some 'cush for the tush'), the safety levers for the brakes, the foam bar covers and of course the tubes and tires. I doubt I put 500 miles on this thing, when I got back into biking it was too out-of-date. Now I'm just starting to bring it back as a "retro-ride".

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/dieselgrandad/Picture008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/dieselgrandad/Picture009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/dieselgrandad/Picture010.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/dieselgrandad/Picture011.jpg

Along those lines I have a couple questions:

1. Anyone know where I can get a replacement aluminum fork?

2. Somewhere on the web I stumbled across a site with the old sales lit and specs. Naturally, I didn't bookmark it, and of course now I want to go back but can't find the site. Can anyone redirect me?

Thanks GT

For replacement fork, you can go with chromed steel at a reasonable price. For catalogue, go to http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/lambert/.

Neal

Neal,

Many thanks. Thats the brochure I was looking for. Regarding the fork: I know I'm being anal, but I'm trying to keep as much of the original look and ride if possible. (Steel might shake my fillings loose.)

Thanks Again,

Gary

Gary,

I had the replacement Tange steel fork put on my Viscount when
Yamaha sent them out. It didn't rattle my teeth out or bruise
my kidneys.
Contrary to popular thought Steel forks are very compliant, gives a
nice ride and smooths out the road chatter.

marty

Neal,

Many thanks. Thats the brochure I was looking for. Regarding the fork: I know I'm being anal, but I'm trying to keep as much of the original look and ride if possible. (Steel might shake my fillings loose.)

Thanks Again,

Gary

Then again, Gary, if that original has lasted this long, perhaps it'll keep on going. And I have a replacement aluminum "death fork" in my basement if you need it!

Neal

I was just out at Livermore Cyclery today (in Livermore, CA), and they have a beautiful Lambert on consignment for $299. It is in very, very nice condition.

I wonder if it'll sell.......

This is my restored 1977 areospace pro. Its my original first racing bike, I kept it and finally did the resto on it 25 years later. Still a lot of miles left in it, although its spindle #3

Surely a steel fork is gonna be LESS tooth rattling than an ally one? And less prone to killing you of course....

(notice how many of us had Lambert/viscount as first "real" bike? )

Marty

Count me in on this !

If anyone in the New England area has a resto or Very Good Cond. Viscount
and wants to unburdon themselves of it, I would like to get another one !

Count me in on this !

If anyone in the New England area has a resto or Very Good Cond. Viscount
and wants to unburdon themselves of it, I would like to get another one !

I have a death fork and a crankset; the rest got sold off as a single speed, I'm afraid.

Neal

Here's a copy of email just sent to Sheldon --
I have a Viscount (Hand Crafted by Trusty of England) Model GPM, size 21.5, White/Red SN 4701 bought at The Pony Shop, Evanston, Illinois on 5-12-76 for $199.00
(I have the original bill of sale and the OWNER’S MANUAL, 2nd Edition, March ’76 Yamaha International Corporation.) I replaced the seat on 8-9-76 and about 10 years later I replaced the drive train (gear set up) with Shimano 105 indexed( levers on front descending bar of frame.) I also replaced the rims at some time. I kept the old gears and chain and recently gave them to a guy at the local bike shop. Of course upon recall I sent the Death Fork back and this bike now has the chrome fork replacement.

The bike is in pretty good shape – you can still read the decals and rust is minimal. I rode the bike up until two years ago. (Now riding a Trek 7.6 X and an Orbea Orca. I am not so much interested in the value of the old bike but do have a lot of nostalgia wrapped up in it. I am thinking about rebuilding it with carbon seat post and fork. Any thoughts.

^^^^^^ I don't know if you saw but Sheldon Brown passed away recently.

Just wondering if anyone out there knows the value of a 1970's Viscount. I bought one for $60 yesterday (complete with the aluminum "death fork", which I intend on replacing). All the parts are original, including the aluminum rims and the hard-as-rock saddle. I don't know the exact year...1976 or so, I'd guess. It's very lightweight and in good condition. Yet I can't help but wonder-- did I pay too much?
Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

No, you didn't pay too much at all.
I got two and they are sweet machines.
Got a set of Tange forks off of a 23" Viscount if you want to pay the shipping from UK!
If they will fit!!
Pictured here:
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/v2003.jpg

Bike is roughish here, almost as I bought it, but now restored with different chromed forks etc.

^^^^^^^


I had this one up on CL this week for $5.

I'll give you $5 just for the fork. I've got a similar sized complete one in the garage, but it has the original death fork on it. And I'll take the bb spindle, too, if you can pop it out! :)

I have a frame someone can have for the cost of shipping. Repainted, no fork, bb in place.

Who can remember how futuristic these seemed when they first came out? The first lugless factory bikes that I ever saw, and much speculation about whether they'd fall to bits.

Tony S

My pal at college had one in 1977 (I think). Not particularly well fitted out if I remember rightly, but a very nice riding bike.

I have one that bought in May 1976 for $199. All original except saddle, and the back rim which I replaced and in the '80s I put Shimano 105 gears on it. Just started polishing it up. I still ride it once in awhile altho I have an Orbea Orca and Trek hybrid. I just bought two "vintage ads" showing the bike [1] May '76 Playboy full-page b/w ad [2] May '76 Car & Driver again full-page b/w ad. I'd say $60 was a bargain. There are two floating around for $460 and on speedplay.com website in their gallery you can see the pedals and toe clips. It says the toe clips are rare and worth about $300 to collectors.

Wow! Those pictures are gorgeous. I just rehabed my '76 Viscount -- not quite as beautiful as yours. How did you upload the pictures?

Speaking of vintage Viscounts... I have a couple of Lambert drive side cranks, a lot like TA Cyclotouriste's; one is a double, the other a triple; one or both have been filed to accept tapered spindles; there's also at least one left side crank arm and at least one Lambert pedal. If anyone wants these for a restoration, please PM me.

Do you still have the frame?
I'd love to see a photo if you still have it.
Thanks Maat

Just to distract everybody from the morbid death fork syndrome for a while, and maybe cheer up a few people, here's a few pics of a cool, ordinary 1980 Viscount in everyday use. (Pictured above a while back)
Had a few new parts when they became available, but never let me down and is a pleasure to ride.
I've been to Coventry several times on it, 75miles each way.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/mixture005.jpg

Got original Maxy chain-set, Shimano front + rear mech, Weinmann brake-set, bars.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/mixture001.jpg

Replacement Tange forks (off my 75 Viscount), Mavic MA3s on Tiagra hubs with 8 speed hyperglide cassette, new Schwalbe Bizzard Sports, San Marco Squadra saddle, and a non-period, but matching blue Bluemels Lightweight pump.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/mixture007.jpg

I paid £32 for it, not too far off $60, although I've added a few extras since.

Is that a nice machine or what?
I think it's a bargain....

... here's a few pics of a cool, ordinary 1980 Viscount in everyday use.

That's very nice indeed. I think the pump would match my Dawes a lot better :D

^^^^^^^



I'll give you $5 just for the fork. I've got a similar sized complete one in the garage, but it has the original death fork on it. And I'll take the bb spindle, too, if you can pop it out! :)

ANd I'll give you $5 for your death fork. My sister-in-law got her brothers viscount with the replacement fork after he died in truck accident. She's a wee bit obsessed, wants to convert the death fork into a lamp or something.

ANd I'll give you $5 for your death fork. My sister-in-law got her brothers viscount with the replacement fork after he died in truck accident. She's a wee bit obsessed, wants to convert the death fork into a lamp or something.

Seriously? Send me a PM with an address, and I'll calculate shipping.

Seriously? Send me a PM with an address, and I'll calculate shipping.

PM sent.

I've just bought a silver Viscount Alamo for £35. I guess it's from the 70s. It seems a nice machine, and although it's in need of some care and attention, it's light and rides nicely. It's a six speed, simplex gear mechanism, Landar centre pull brakes, shimano levers, steel frame and forks, aluminium other bits, and rock hard saddle. Beyond that I don't know anything about it. Can anyone shed any light on it?

Thanks.

I've never heard of that model. Perhaps it was just for the UK market. Is it fillet brazed (i.e., no lugs)?

Neal

No, it has lugs. The 'Viscount' and 'Alamo' decals, on the down and cross tubes, aren't the same font as on the Aerospace models. A more every day model for the UK perhaps?

There is a code on the bottom bracket: 101918, if that means anything.

My freebie Reg Harris Lambert that just came my way. The original owner kept the Lambert branded crankset and the Brooks saddle, thanks to Neal Lerner for setting me up with a replacement Nervar. Now if I can get the seat post and handlebar stem out I'll be all set. Here's a link to another Reg Harris:

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/Harris_Reg/R_Harris_Lam1.htm

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/Reg%20Harris%20Lambert/regharris.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/Reg%20Harris%20Lambert/regharris2.jpg

Scott