Gary3

Opinions on this one:

vintage viscount english road bike

Gary

TugaDude

Pretty typical of Viscounts I've seen. Probably mid-70s. If the fork is original it might be one of the so-called "death forks". Called that due to unusually high failure rate. Others who own them can confirm. I can't tell.

Other than that, I like the TA-inspired cranks. i wouldn't be too keen on that price unless it was in rideable shape. I will check again, but tires looked like toast.

TugaDude

Even the seller is recommending new tires. Bargaining point for you. Tires and tubes = $ 50.00 at the least unless you really shop.

TugaDude

Hope this helps...



I believe the age of the subject bike definitely falls in the affected range.

howsteepisit

It looks like one of the original forks, but the derailleurs loot to be replaced, the first genertion of the Viscounts had self manufactured ones, this has Shimano's.

TugaDude

Sheldon's site says Titleist FD and Crane RD were typical.

howsteepisit

Yes, I think the vicounts varied a lot over the years, so they may be original or not, depending on manufature date. I know the shop I worked at was one of the early retailers and the first off the boat bunch came with almost all self manufacured stuff, but it was pretty poor in both design and quality, except the crankset which was pretty decent with sealed bearing BB, a real rarity for the early70's.

rjhammett

I owned one of that same vintage for about a year. It was in near perfect condition and I paid $84 for it. I was not a fan of the bike. I sold it to someone that was going to turn it into a fixie.

exxongraftek

There were three versions of the "death fork" and all three were recalled - hard to tell them apart when out of the bike, impossible to tell when installed.
BEWARE ANY aluminum fork in a Lambert or Viscount. Recalled forks were replaced with chrome steel forks, this is a "death fork" so buyer beware.

I know from experience - mine broke in a race and a pine tree was nice enough to stop my uncontrolled forward momentum.

0.2HP

Print out some internet info on the "Death Fork" and take it with you to look at the bike. And take a magnet; if it sticks to he fork it is safe to ride. If not show the owner the printouts and tell him you will take the unsafe bike off his hands for $xx (inset your own number.) If he sells, salvage junk bikes from the dump until you find a replacement fork that fits.

cb400bill

That is most definitely the "Death Fork". I replaced mine with a chrome steel fork from Niagara Cycle for $17.99. Sunlite 27" x 1-1/4" Econo Fork Threaded length 3-15/16", 1" OD, Chrome, Non-Canti

The Shimano Crane RD and Titlist FD are original for the bike.

I'd prolly offer $50, maybe $75 tops. It needs a full overhaul, tubes, tires, probably brake pads and new cables.

Plus, that awful rubber bar padding has to go.

Once tuned up, they are surprisingly quick and comfy bikes.

Before:


After:

juvela

Gary3,

if example under consideration is fitted with a sealed bearing bottom bracket this can represent a servicing snag. Fred Delong did a technical article on these back in the day for Bicycling! magazine. he reported that the inside diameter of the shell is slightly too large to give full engagement with BSC/ISO, Metric/Swiss threaded cups. alas, he says it is not practicable to ream it out and thread it to Italian due to inadequate wall thickness. so if the bb were to require service you would have to go to a modern sealed unit.