Classic & Vintage - Any Viscount experts?

what can you tell me about this based on these two pics:

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/po/100801/752r1/8072c49_20.jpeg

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/po/100801/751r7/4422mf5_20.jpeg

it's down the street and they want $150 for it. I'd like to be a little better informed before i go check it out. I don't know anything about viscounts.

When they were popular I heard that the steerer tube was aluminum and some cracked at speed. No way of knowing whether it was true. They are supposed to have a great ride. I have seen old ones in bike racks with the original forks in them.

what can you tell me about this based on these two pics:

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/po/100801/752r1/8072c49_20.jpeg


My Aerospace Pro
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n319/cb400bill/ViscountAerospacePro001.jpg?t=1281148627

Looks like an Aerospace Pro. See if if it has any remnants of the top tube decal.

Still has infamous Death Fork.
Cranks have been changed.
Looks like it still has the OEM Middlemore saddle.
Stem is extended past safe line.

sure looks like an original "death fork", but the crankset is a (Stronglight?) replacement, and seems pretty nice, too... I'd certainly check it out given that asking price, especially tempting if the BB has been sorted out and you could use the "death fork" as a bargaining ploy (you'd HAVE to buy a replacement fork ;)) Take a magnet to test the fork: no stick makes it aluminum (and "deadly")

No doubt. It IS the Death Fork.

-There are different versions of the "death fork", do a search to find more information on it if you are interested, as I remember some may be "deadlier" than others.
-You may also want to check what an original Viscount crankset looks like, as I believe one of the prime reasons to own a viscount is that crankset with the round cut out chainrings.

-There are different versions of the "death fork", do a search to find more information on it if you are interested, as I remember some may be "deadlier" than others.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/3938396752_acfa244748_z.jpg?zz=1

--You may also want to check what an original Viscount crankset looks like, as I believe one of the prime reasons to own a viscount is that crankset with the round cut out chainrings.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3384/3296963154_dc80106836_z.jpg?zz=1

My Viscount has the same color scheme (including the death fork), and I won it on eBay for $55 plus shipping--that's an indiciation of their going price! I don't see a Stronglight crank set on the one you're looking at, but be aware that if it has the original pressed bearing BB, it'll likely need new bearings. They definitely have funk value though.

Neal

heres a few pics of my 2 viscounts.they have original death forks,cranks ,etc.yours has the red "v" dust caps missing.you will probably never find them.
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii125/vincev_2008/single%20pics/DSCF0001.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii125/vincev_2008/my%20road%20bikes/VISCOUNTAEROSPACEGP-2-1.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii125/vincev_2008/my%20road%20bikes/VISCOUNTAEROSPACEGP.jpg

thanks for all the info guys! i'm not going to bother with it since it's not got its correct crank and so forth. Plus I need another bike like I need a hole in the head. If anyone has interest in it let me know because like i said, it's a few blocks away. Here's the ad:

http://allentown.ebayclassifieds.com/bicycles/phoenixville/mens-12-speed-viscount/?ad=5005021&msg=OUT_OF_AREA

I have a spare one of those Viscount crank sets (minus the bolts that attach the big ring to the spider) if anyone is looking for one.

Neal

"-You may also want to check what an original Viscount crankset looks like, as I believe one of the prime reasons to own a viscount is that crankset with the round cut out chainrings"

I rode one of these for over 15 years. One of the first things I did was to replace that poorly constructed and flimsy crank set with a nice SR set. The main reason to own one of these bikes was the frame!
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j7/A1095US/Lambert/

what can you tell me about this based on these two pics:

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/po/100801/752r1/8072c49_20.jpeg

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/po/100801/751r7/4422mf5_20.jpeg

it's down the street and they want $150 for it. I'd like to be a little better informed before i go check it out. I don't know anything about viscounts.
Looks pretty much original except the crank has been changed to Shimano 600. It even has the "death fork" -- you may want to figure in the cost of replacing the fork as well.

the seller sent me an email about two hours ago and said I could have it for $100. I'll wait a few days if they still have I'll try the 'death fork' approach and see what happens.

What needs to be done to sort out the bb? Can it be tapped to English threads?

What needs to be done to sort out the bb? Can it be tapped to English threads?

I believe it is too large for that. the bearings are press fit like the early Merlins, Spectrum and Fat Chance bikes. just a matter of haveing the right skill and parts

the seller sent me an email about two hours ago and said I could have it for $100. I'll wait a few days if they still have I'll try the 'death fork' approach and see what happens.

$100.00? Even with the death fork, that's a fair deal.

What needs to be done to sort out the bb? Can it be tapped to English threads?
No, but Italian is possible. Or use a threadless cartridge.

additionally, the original spindle was square but NON-tapered, intended to only fit on the OEM crankset. So you can easily find replacement cartridge bearings to press in, but a 2º taper spindle with the correct dimensions and shoulders (or grooves for snap-rings) to replace the original is a tough one. Threadless cartridge (like VeloOrange) is the easiest solution.

The later Viscounts used a tapered spindle in the BB. It's no trick to tap out the old cartridge bearings and press/tap in new ones. I did mine (and both hubs) in the fall.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/top506/viscount.jpg

And that is indeed the dreaded AL "death fork"(on the OPs picture, not mine).
I saw one of these hanging on the wall of a Cape Cod bike shop last week, about 58cm. A C-note would have taken it, but I already have one and 58 is too big.

Top

Neal Lerner and I saw one at the Larz Anderson show today, I think it was $125, complete with "V" pedal caps.

Scott

the seller sent me an email about two hours ago and said I could have it for $100. I'll wait a few days if they still have I'll try the 'death fork' approach and see what happens.


$100.00? Even with the death fork, that's a fair deal.

does anyone know what the kit on this might be? they must be Normandy hubs yes?
something else popped up so I don't have the funds for this. there was another Viscount on Philly CL this Am but not nearly as nice for $225.

If it's the original hubs, they're made by Viscount, high flange alloy w/ sealed cartridge bearings.

Neal

The later Viscounts used a tapered spindle in the BB. It's no trick to tap out the old cartridge bearings and press/tap in new ones. I did mine (and both hubs) in the fall.


Top

THAT is really good to know...when was the approximate date they went to tapered? Would any frame with this sort of paint scheme be "later" enough?

does anyone know what the kit on this might be? they must be Normandy hubs yes?

Not Normandy, but looking very like them. I re-laced mine into Arya (sic) 27x1" rims.


THAT is really good to know...when was the approximate date they went to tapered? Would any frame with this sort of paint scheme be "later" enough?

Unknown. I assume that mine was later in the production run. Mine had the Tange replacement fork, but Neal was good enough to send me an AL one to fulfill my mid-life death wishes.:D
I seem to recall a serial # thread.....
They are indeed great riders. I did the worst ride of my (adult) life on my Aerospace Pro, 180+/- miles in rain so hard it was falling up. Bike made it far better than it could have been, although the ride pretty much destroyed what had been a great original finish.

Top

I'd like to own one of these one day. They're probably not that amazing, but I like how they were different from mainstream bikes. They were light, and they had unusual, if cheap, components. I think the chainrings look great.

the seller sent me an email about two hours ago and said I could have it for $100. I'll wait a few days if they still have I'll try the 'death fork' approach and see what happens.
No, but it can be tapped to Italian, or you could use a threadless cartridge.

Now what is it about these forks that make them so dangerous?

My Reg Harris although not a Viscount came with the same "death fork" mine has 2 roll pins through the steer tube presumably to hold it together :D I would not hesitate to ride it. It has been on the road for 33 years after all!
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/IMGP1922.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c100/toytechthefirst/IMGP1923.jpg

well, you do what you feel comfortable with...but if it was mine I'd replace it for 2 reasons: First, cast aluminum is one material that does not improve with age, the fact it's lasted this long is not a reliable indication it will last another year, let alone 33 more (I'm sure it means something good that it hasn't cracked, yet, but there's a very good reason that airframes are inspected constantly for signs of failure).
Second, this frame deserves a better (steel) fork :)

Now what is it about these forks that make them so dangerous?Read this: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lambert.html
…and this:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lambert.html#recall

"UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD A LAMBERT OR VISCOUNT BE RIDDEN WITH THE ORIGINAL CAST ALUMINUM FORK!!!!!!!!!"