Ok, so there have been many threads about what to do about old viscount/lambert bottom brackets.
1) re-thread for an italian size
2) file tubes that stick into the bb shell so a cartraige bb will work
3) get a (very expensive) phil wood bb to replace
4) get new bearing and keep the old spindle that will break sooner or later

i may have missed a few others.

nobody seems to agree on exactly what to do!

i am converting a Viscount to a fixed gear commuter city bike so i dont want my bb snapping on me, but i want to fix this problem in a cheap way too (ruling out phil wood bb)

Can we have a consensus on what to do?

ps i want to use a modern crank too

If you want cheap, go with #4. Bearings run about $5 each, and if your spindle seems sound, it'll last awhile longer.

Neal

I've done that exact thing! I used a Klein spindle and two #6003 bearings. No threading, no filing, no worries. Klein spindles are designed to be pressed into that size bearing without sleeves or snaprings.

Of course, I did this 15+ years ago--you may not have the same luck finding a spindle these days. I also did it for some customers who broke their Viscount spindles at the stupid snap ring groove.

You'll find the Viscount makes an excellent FG winter bike. And good for you going for a modern crank--the Viscount 17-bolt double doesn't take reverse torque well (DAMHIK).

Good luck!

Mel

I should add that any spindle without bearing shoulders will work, such as this long one:

https://cgi.ebay.com/White-Industries...QQcmdZViewItem

A bit long for a single chainring, however.

Neal

The old White Industries steel spindles work very well, as N. Lerner suggests. I made this exact modification on my Lambert, reusing the original bearings and using the White collars for added protection against any side-to-side movement. Other similar spindles may also work...

Cut the old BB out and weld in a new one--problem solver BB for about $8--if you have a torch.That's the way I did mine

as a previous Viscount owner I'd opt for tapping the BB out for
Italian threads (thats what I did). Any decent shop should be able to do that.

Marty