Viscount 10-speed road bike
04-09-15, 10:37 AM
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Viscount 10-speed road bike
Hi all!
I'll have to ask if anything has been changed on the bike but is this an okay price? I don't hear too many good things about these bikes. The death-fork is of course, a concern haha
Classic 10-spd Viscount Pro Roadbike
I'll have to ask if anything has been changed on the bike but is this an okay price? I don't hear too many good things about these bikes. The death-fork is of course, a concern haha
Classic 10-spd Viscount Pro Roadbike
04-09-15, 10:39 AM
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i would probably go buy that if it was in my size. common... the name alone is worth it. Viscount. Viscount.
and the sheepskin seat cover.. classy.
and the sheepskin seat cover.. classy.
04-09-15, 10:51 AM
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The price seem's OK and the bike does look to be in good original condition but needs an overhaul and tires looks to have sat a long time. I would also likely buy it at this price if it was local.
04-09-15, 02:15 PM
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So talking with the owner and he states that everything is original, even the fork. I'm not sure about that though because I thought the original forks were more of a satin or brushed finish and replacements were cheap chromed forks or shored up with steel rods.
I also asked about the 31" measurement, I don't know where he got that from haha
I also asked about the 31" measurement, I don't know where he got that from haha
04-09-15, 02:34 PM
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You could make half your purchase price back by selling the crankset on eBay. I would buy it too at that price if it were local and fit me. Bike items that have "death" or "suicide" in their nickname always intrigue me.
04-09-15, 02:46 PM
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I would be real tempted if it was local. I am very familiar with these but wasn't there a fork recall on these?
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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04-09-15, 02:56 PM
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NB : There is a Fork crown, on that Chromed Steel fork .
Last edited by fietsbob; 04-09-15 at 03:00 PM.
04-09-15, 02:57 PM
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Also, your post count is crazy. Haha
04-09-15, 03:03 PM
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04-09-15, 03:12 PM
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Oh, you mean the fork has a crown meaning that it's not just a one-piece aluminum cast? So, the death fork has been replaced haha
04-09-15, 03:15 PM
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I'm waiting for further info/pics on size I'm really hoping it fits me. My Superior is too tall, and my Varsity is too short haha
Twas, but some slipped past. Ads about the recall were put out on paper, mostly in bicycle magazines I'm sure and not everyone read those, maybe.
Also, your post count is crazy. Haha
Twas, but some slipped past. Ads about the recall were put out on paper, mostly in bicycle magazines I'm sure and not everyone read those, maybe.
Also, your post count is crazy. Haha
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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04-09-15, 03:29 PM
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fork has been replaced with an Akisu steel one.
one thing i would ask seller about is whether bb is sealed or conventional. the aerospace pro came through both ways at various times iirc.
one thing i would ask seller about is whether bb is sealed or conventional. the aerospace pro came through both ways at various times iirc.
04-09-15, 04:13 PM
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The BB is sealed. It seems that the only things this bike is missing is the death fork and the original Lambert toe straps for the clips.
04-09-15, 05:46 PM
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My first bike was a Viscount that had been powder coated before I got it years ago.
That one is in nice shape. A few bikes show up with the original forks, but I'd consider it as a plus that this one has had the fork replaced. Was that the free replacement?
Hard to go wrong with any decent quality road bike for $150.
That one is in nice shape. A few bikes show up with the original forks, but I'd consider it as a plus that this one has had the fork replaced. Was that the free replacement?
Hard to go wrong with any decent quality road bike for $150.
04-09-15, 07:28 PM
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The bottom bracket is a concern since they are pretty unique if it is like the one I had.
The fork may either be original (post-death-fork production date) or be an original recall replacement.
Other than these issues, the Viscounts were a bit under-rated in my opinion. If the BB is good $150 is a steal IMHO.
The fork may either be original (post-death-fork production date) or be an original recall replacement.
Other than these issues, the Viscounts were a bit under-rated in my opinion. If the BB is good $150 is a steal IMHO.
04-09-15, 07:33 PM
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Re: the fork. I believe that by the time they became the Viscount (instead of the Lambert), they had resolved the "death fork" issue:
<----- Bicycling Magazine 10-1977 -----> Details On The Lambert Bicycle Fork
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04-09-15, 08:16 PM
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Whoa! The owner is actually the original owner with the receipt, manual, spec sheets, and warranty info. It's a '74.
04-09-15, 10:23 PM
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That level of documentation may take things up a notch, maybe a $100 notch, maybe more?
04-09-15, 10:30 PM
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I'd jump on that if there isn't any serious defects not seen in the pic.
04-15-15, 11:12 AM
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SO! I was able to get the Viscount! 
It's in really good shape. The only thing I'm finding so far, is that the cable running from the friction shifter to the RD is "loose." Almost like it's been stretched, so that will need to be replaced.
I will start a new thread with pics of the bike, and all the paperwork from the original owner. He even had one of the Lambert of England toe straps! He said he'll look for the other one and let me know if he finds it. I'll include a link in this thread.
The bike is really light weighing in at 24.4 pounds. The original owner had kept a seat cover on it for the last ~35 years so the original Viscount seat is in great shape other than needing some conditioner.
The pressed in BB will be looked at and possibly replaced but the cranks seem to spin really well and so do the pedals, even with the odd needle bearings.
Excited to restore some things and ride it!
It's in really good shape. The only thing I'm finding so far, is that the cable running from the friction shifter to the RD is "loose." Almost like it's been stretched, so that will need to be replaced.
I will start a new thread with pics of the bike, and all the paperwork from the original owner. He even had one of the Lambert of England toe straps! He said he'll look for the other one and let me know if he finds it. I'll include a link in this thread.
The bike is really light weighing in at 24.4 pounds. The original owner had kept a seat cover on it for the last ~35 years so the original Viscount seat is in great shape other than needing some conditioner.
The pressed in BB will be looked at and possibly replaced but the cranks seem to spin really well and so do the pedals, even with the odd needle bearings.
Excited to restore some things and ride it!
04-18-15, 10:34 AM
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I love mine, aluminum fork and all. Hope you like yours as much.
04-19-15, 10:11 PM
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If you haven't seen it, here's the thread with pics on the Pro!
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...l#post17734089
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...l#post17734089
04-20-15, 06:45 PM
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I built a Viscount Pro for my son, I did have to replace the bottom bracket bearings because one had rust damage but had no trouble getting my local bike shop to order them in and I replaced them at home. The wheels still have their original bearings and are smooth as silk.
I also replaced the death fork with a modern chro-mo piece.
-Steve
I also replaced the death fork with a modern chro-mo piece.
-Steve
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