Could this be the "death fork" on my Viscount?
11-28-10, 05:50 PM
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Could this be the "death fork" on my Viscount?
Hello Forum world, So just by looking, can you tell if this is the infamous death fork?
https://www.classicrendezvous.com/Bri...bert_fork.html
I've been reading up on these old Viscount bikes & I'm guessing mine is around a 76 or so. I don't see any serial #... Any guesses?
I've read a bit on these bikes & it seems they were quite the rage in the 70s. I have enjoyed mine & I actually rode across South Carolina on it back in June. Funny videos of the trip here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWpkUhMDiSQ
Here are the pics.
Thanks so much for any help / comments...
take a look at my tumblr I just started too if you get a sec.
https://brewersbikes.tumblr.com/
-danny
https://www.classicrendezvous.com/Bri...bert_fork.html
I've been reading up on these old Viscount bikes & I'm guessing mine is around a 76 or so. I don't see any serial #... Any guesses?
I've read a bit on these bikes & it seems they were quite the rage in the 70s. I have enjoyed mine & I actually rode across South Carolina on it back in June. Funny videos of the trip here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWpkUhMDiSQ
Here are the pics.
Thanks so much for any help / comments...
take a look at my tumblr I just started too if you get a sec.
https://brewersbikes.tumblr.com/
-danny
11-28-10, 06:00 PM
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If I only went off the pics you posted I'd say yes.
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You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
Last edited by ilikebikes; 11-28-10 at 10:01 PM.
11-28-10, 06:00 PM
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Also, does anyone know how to pull this B B out? I have no clue except to take off the ring and bang it through the other side with a hammer, though I'd rather not jump into beating it to death without seeing if anyone could lend a suggestion.
thanks!
thanks!
11-28-10, 06:08 PM
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The BB is press-fit. I assume they were standard bearings, that info should be easy to find
The fork in your pictures is the death fork
The fork in your pictures is the death fork
11-28-10, 06:18 PM
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thanks Unterhausen. I'll look up how to get the BB out! thanks!
I guess I'll be changing that fork out then!
-danny
I guess I'll be changing that fork out then!
-danny
11-28-10, 07:22 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by BesidesDaniel
thanks Unterhausen. I'll look up how to get the BB out! thanks!
I guess I'll be changing that fork out then!
-danny
I guess I'll be changing that fork out then!
-danny
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11-28-10, 07:36 PM
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Lots of good info on replacing the BB bearings here:
https://bikecult.com/works/parts/bbViscount.html
The steps are to remove the spindle circlips and then pound out the spindle and bearings with a big rubber mallet. A bench vise is pretty necessary to hold the BB shell in place. You can then re-install new bearings with the bench vise as well. The cartridge bearings are cheap and easily found (about $5/ea). The spindles had a reputation for snapping at the circlip, but I've re-used them without a problem. They are difficult to replace at a reasonable price.
Neal
https://bikecult.com/works/parts/bbViscount.html
The steps are to remove the spindle circlips and then pound out the spindle and bearings with a big rubber mallet. A bench vise is pretty necessary to hold the BB shell in place. You can then re-install new bearings with the bench vise as well. The cartridge bearings are cheap and easily found (about $5/ea). The spindles had a reputation for snapping at the circlip, but I've re-used them without a problem. They are difficult to replace at a reasonable price.
Neal
11-28-10, 09:43 PM
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Why did they use a press-in BB? Seems worse than having a frame with a french threaded bb. Well I guess before the productions of new french BB cups anyways.
123mm spindle, ouch.
How much abouts do these frames weigh anyway? Is that "Aircraft" tubing super light, seat post size?
123mm spindle, ouch.
How much abouts do these frames weigh anyway? Is that "Aircraft" tubing super light, seat post size?
11-28-10, 11:05 PM
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They are not crazy light, my 22" frame weighs in at 5.02 lbs. The seat post looks like a 26.4 but that was measured with calipers, not a graduated seat post.
I don't mind the BB, it doesn't take special tools to service and the bearings (now at least) are easy to find, cheap and last a long time. They are a lot like Phil BB's without the interior shell. The spindles are the problem but I found a stash of spindles that fit so I'm good for a long time.
Back OT, +1 on the 'death fork'. There were several styles used before they were recalled and I'm not sure which style this is but it is one of them.
I don't mind the BB, it doesn't take special tools to service and the bearings (now at least) are easy to find, cheap and last a long time. They are a lot like Phil BB's without the interior shell. The spindles are the problem but I found a stash of spindles that fit so I'm good for a long time.
Back OT, +1 on the 'death fork'. There were several styles used before they were recalled and I'm not sure which style this is but it is one of them.
11-28-10, 11:45 PM
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I replaced the spindle on my Lambert with a Phil spindle in the late '70s. I also have an early Klein bike that uses the same pressed in BB idea with the 6003 bearings. So the early Klein spindles will also fit the Viscount and Lambert bikes.
