|
Post by randy on Dec 28, 2020 0:40:35 GMT
Thank you for the welcome. I'm going through the site in hopes to understand how to navigate.
|
|
tnt001
Viscount
Bought a new 1974 Viscount with money from my lawn mowing jobs - rode thru the White Mountains of NH
Posts: 3
|
Post by tnt001 on Sept 24, 2021 1:38:40 GMT
Hi All> I bought a brand new 1974 Viscount at a new store in Westboro, MA, the Bicycle Barn....back in early 1974. I was just turning 14 years old, had saved my lawn mowing money and had started working at a local garage at minimum wage. I loved this bike. It was expensive...I don't actually remember but it was more than $125. A lot of money for a kid making $5 mowing a lawn and minimum wage (what was it...$1.50/hr back then?). Friends of mine wanted to go on a summer trip riding to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It was just two of us by the time we left Westboro in the wee hours of an August morning. I had outfitted it with a lightweight aluminum back rack and side panniers (very basic in those days). Two weeks later, we returned from a wonderful adventure. I want to say that NEVER did I experience issues with the infamous "death fork"...I must have been lucky. I was a pretty big kid at that age, about 190 lbs and 5'11....a few inches and quite a few pounds short of my peak. We rode through Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch, Pinkham Notch, over the Kancamangus Highway....passing cars as we came down some of those stretches....no helmet, no lycra...just the wind in our hair. How in the world did we survive our youth?...so, here I am. Amazed to find a forum for this bike. It was light and it rode nicely. Some days we rode just 25 miles, other days more. On the return, one day, we rode about 100 miles from Lake Winnipesaukee, south into MA. Later, I went off to college, left it with a friend at the old gas station, returned to find he had crashed it (not because of the forks) but he gave me a 1967 Ford Fairlane 500 in its place. At the time, I was happy. I've joined the forum to see what transpires.
|
|
|
Post by brianbutler on Sept 24, 2021 11:26:00 GMT
Hi All> I bought a brand new 1974 Viscount at a new store in Westboro, MA, the Bicycle Barn....back in early 1974. I was just turning 14 years old, had saved my lawn mowing money and had started working at a local garage at minimum wage. I loved this bike. It was expensive...I don't actually remember but it was more than $125. A lot of money for a kid making $5 mowing a lawn and minimum wage (what was it...$1.50/hr back then?). Friends of mine wanted to go on a summer trip riding to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It was just two of us by the time we left Westboro in the wee hours of an August morning. I had outfitted it with a lightweight aluminum back rack and side panniers (very basic in those days). Two weeks later, we returned from a wonderful adventure. I want to say that NEVER did I experience issues with the infamous "death fork"...I must have been lucky. I was a pretty big kid at that age, about 190 lbs and 5'11....a few inches and quite a few pounds short of my peak. We rode through Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch, Pinkham Notch, over the Kancamangus Highway....passing cars as we came down some of those stretches....no helmet, no lycra...just the wind in our hair. How in the world did we survive our youth?...so, here I am. Amazed to find a forum for this bike. It was light and it rode nicely. Some days we rode just 25 miles, other days more. On the return, one day, we rode about 100 miles from Lake Winnipesaukee, south into MA. Later, I went off to college, left it with a friend at the old gas station, returned to find he had crashed it (not because of the forks) but he gave me a 1967 Ford Fairlane 500 in its place. At the time, I was happy. I've joined the forum to see what transpires. Fantastic. I lived (and still live) in Holliston, MA and remember the Bicycle Barn quite well, I think. I might be confusing it with Frank's Spoke 'n' Wheel, whichever one was on Rt. 9 and had the old bike attached to the building like a ship's figurehead. Since I am apparently six years older than you, I only made $4 a lawn and $1.25 an hour. Otherwise the story sounds the same. I now do a lot of riding in the White Mountains (Franconia Notch, Kancamagus, etc.) but back in the day I mostly rode into Boston, up to Walden Pond, etc.
The icing on the cake would be if you went to UMass. Back in the early 70's I considered riding out to school but it seemed too daunting. I finally made the trip from Holliston to Amherst by bike a few years ago and it wasn't too bad.
If you still ride and would like to get together, please let me know. I have six Viscounts currently reconditioned and ready to roll. You are welcome to use any of them.
Regards, Brian
|
|
|
Post by franco on Sept 24, 2021 14:02:29 GMT
Hi All> I bought a brand new 1974 Viscount at a new store in Westboro, MA, the Bicycle Barn....back in early 1974. I was just turning 14 years old, had saved my lawn mowing money and had started working at a local garage at minimum wage. I loved this bike. It was expensive...I don't actually remember but it was more than $125. A lot of money for a kid making $5 mowing a lawn and minimum wage (what was it...$1.50/hr back then?). Friends of mine wanted to go on a summer trip riding to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It was just two of us by the time we left Westboro in the wee hours of an August morning. I had outfitted it with a lightweight aluminum back rack and side panniers (very basic in those days). Two weeks later, we returned from a wonderful adventure. I want to say that NEVER did I experience issues with the infamous "death fork"...I must have been lucky. I was a pretty big kid at that age, about 190 lbs and 5'11....a few inches and quite a few pounds short of my peak. We rode through Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch, Pinkham Notch, over the Kancamangus Highway....passing cars as we came down some of those stretches....no helmet, no lycra...just the wind in our hair. How in the world did we survive our youth?...so, here I am. Amazed to find a forum for this bike. It was light and it rode nicely. Some days we rode just 25 miles, other days more. On the return, one day, we rode about 100 miles from Lake Winnipesaukee, south into MA. Later, I went off to college, left it with a friend at the old gas station, returned to find he had crashed it (not because of the forks) but he gave me a 1967 Ford Fairlane 500 in its place. At the time, I was happy. I've joined the forum to see what transpires. That’s a great story and thanks for sharing. Maybe a good time to rekindle those carefree days on a Viscount?!
|
|
|
Post by wheelson on Sept 24, 2021 17:29:03 GMT
Hi All> I bought a brand new 1974 Viscount at a new store in Westboro, MA, the Bicycle Barn....back in early 1974. I was just turning 14 years old, had saved my lawn mowing money and had started working at a local garage at minimum wage. I loved this bike. It was expensive...I don't actually remember but it was more than $125. A lot of money for a kid making $5 mowing a lawn and minimum wage (what was it...$1.50/hr back then?). Friends of mine wanted to go on a summer trip riding to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It was just two of us by the time we left Westboro in the wee hours of an August morning. I had outfitted it with a lightweight aluminum back rack and side panniers (very basic in those days). Two weeks later, we returned from a wonderful adventure. I want to say that NEVER did I experience issues with the infamous "death fork"...I must have been lucky. I was a pretty big kid at that age, about 190 lbs and 5'11....a few inches and quite a few pounds short of my peak. We rode through Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch, Pinkham Notch, over the Kancamangus Highway....passing cars as we came down some of those stretches....no helmet, no lycra...just the wind in our hair. How in the world did we survive our youth?...so, here I am. Amazed to find a forum for this bike. It was light and it rode nicely. Some days we rode just 25 miles, other days more. On the return, one day, we rode about 100 miles from Lake Winnipesaukee, south into MA. Later, I went off to college, left it with a friend at the old gas station, returned to find he had crashed it (not because of the forks) but he gave me a 1967 Ford Fairlane 500 in its place. At the time, I was happy. I've joined the forum to see what transpires. That’s a great story and thanks for sharing. Maybe a good time to rekindle those carefree days on a Viscount?! I think we all enjoy the stories from past years. I was really taken by the Viscount Aerospace advertisements back in the ‘70s but finally bought in around five years ago. Now I own six in various states of ride-ability and really have to get them all roadworthy. The first, a modified Aerospace, is one of my all time favorites. These bikes are out there and are generally quite a bargain. Best, John “wheelson”
|
|
Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,389
|
Post by Jem on Sept 25, 2021 13:04:22 GMT
Hi All> I bought a brand new 1974 Viscount at a new store in Westboro, MA, the Bicycle Barn....back in early 1974. I was just turning 14 years old, had saved my lawn mowing money and had started working at a local garage at minimum wage. I loved this bike. It was expensive...I don't actually remember but it was more than $125. A lot of money for a kid making $5 mowing a lawn and minimum wage (what was it...$1.50/hr back then?). Friends of mine wanted to go on a summer trip riding to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It was just two of us by the time we left Westboro in the wee hours of an August morning. I had outfitted it with a lightweight aluminum back rack and side panniers (very basic in those days). Two weeks later, we returned from a wonderful adventure. I want to say that NEVER did I experience issues with the infamous "death fork"...I must have been lucky. I was a pretty big kid at that age, about 190 lbs and 5'11....a few inches and quite a few pounds short of my peak. We rode through Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch, Pinkham Notch, over the Kancamangus Highway....passing cars as we came down some of those stretches....no helmet, no lycra...just the wind in our hair. How in the world did we survive our youth?...so, here I am. Amazed to find a forum for this bike. It was light and it rode nicely. Some days we rode just 25 miles, other days more. On the return, one day, we rode about 100 miles from Lake Winnipesaukee, south into MA. Later, I went off to college, left it with a friend at the old gas station, returned to find he had crashed it (not because of the forks) but he gave me a 1967 Ford Fairlane 500 in its place. At the time, I was happy. I've joined the forum to see what transpires. Welcome to the forum! I enjoyed reading that back-story.
|
|
Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,389
|
Post by Jem on Sept 25, 2021 13:06:35 GMT
but back in the day I mostly rode into Boston, up to Walden Pond, etc.
Is that the Walden Pond Brian ? (as in, Henry David Thoreau?)
|
|
|
Post by brianbutler on Sept 25, 2021 19:06:31 GMT
but back in the day I mostly rode into Boston, up to Walden Pond, etc.
Is that the Walden Pond Brian ? (as in, Henry David Thoreau?) Yes, that's the one. Thoreau lived in Concord, Massachusetts as did Ralph Waldo Emerson and Louisa May Alcott. They were contemporaries and friends. Must have been something in the water. Walden Pond is about a 20 mile bike ride each way.
Brian
|
|
Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,389
|
Post by Jem on Sept 26, 2021 15:39:46 GMT
Is that the Walden Pond Brian ? (as in, Henry David Thoreau?) Thoreau lived in Concord, Massachusetts as did Ralph Waldo Emerson and Louisa May Alcott.
That's quite a lot of common sense and wisdom concentrated in one place there !
|
|
tnt001
Viscount
Bought a new 1974 Viscount with money from my lawn mowing jobs - rode thru the White Mountains of NH
Posts: 3
|
Post by tnt001 on Sept 27, 2021 20:19:01 GMT
I'm back after a laptop-less weekend and surprised to see some had read my first post. Thank you!. To BrianB>Not UMass but Univ of Lowell... BSME82...and, Frank's was simply "The Bicycle Barn" in the 70's. Regarding my riding ....the past few years, I took to Trek hybrid riding around the Cambridge/Somerville/Boston but most recently picked up an old Cannondale R800 and I'm trying to get my riding legs back. I'd like to take you up on your offer to see your Viscounts and try one for a spin. I'll be in touch.
|
|
|
Post by lowtechforever on Feb 19, 2022 20:24:58 GMT
Hello everyone, I am now the proud owner of a Viscount Grand Sport. I inherited this from my son (money did change hands) who had the bike at university. He in turn had bought it from a friend. I know nothing of its history or how authentic it is. Just before acquiring it, my son replaced the tyres and added mudguards etc and then decided he didn’t want it after all and was going to sell it. By this time, it had grown on me a bit and I didn’t really want to see it go. About me. I know nothing about bikes. I do cycle. Until the pandemic struck, I cycled most days into Central London (10-mile round trip on a Specialised hybrid bought on the cycle scheme through work) because I didn’t want to be crammed on to the underground and to keep my joints lubricated (I’m 63 going on 64). I am thinking about doing more cycling with a vague eye on retirement. I also think I could hang out with the hipsters of South London with a bike like this. What do you think? I’ve added a link to my Google Drive. I hope it is accessible. I’m working my way around the site in due course but from what I have seen so far it looks very informative. Best wishes Chris drive.google.com/file/d/1-09fGlRJ95HtPg2asmGJsb3JeQOpNF7f/view?usp=drivesdk
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 19, 2022 22:30:18 GMT
I also think I could hang out with the hipsters of South London with a bike like this. What do you think? Welcome to the forum Chris - in answer to that question, I am sure you can hang out with them but watch they don't try and talk you into a fixed wheel!
|
|
|
Post by brianbutler on Feb 19, 2022 23:39:17 GMT
Very nice bike, Chris, and welcome. I have a Gran Sports (US nomenclature for the same bike, I believe) and it is my favorite from my Viscount fleet of six.
Brian
|
|
|
Post by lowtechforever on Feb 20, 2022 10:49:55 GMT
I also think I could hang out with the hipsters of South London with a bike like this. What do you think? Welcome to the forum Chris - in answer to that question, I am sure you can hang out with them but watch they don't try and talk you into a fixed wheel! True, there’s an awful lot of them round here. I shall resist the urge to fixie!
|
|
|
Post by lowtechforever on Feb 20, 2022 10:51:16 GMT
Very nice bike, Chris, and welcome. I have a Gran Sports (US nomenclature for the same bike, I believe) and it is my favorite from my Viscount fleet of six.
Brian
Thanks Brian. Good to hear that it’s your favourite. I’m looking forward to getting out on it more often.
|
|
Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,389
|
Post by Jem on Feb 20, 2022 12:24:19 GMT
Welcome Chris - yes, lots of info on here. I have found the search function to be less than brilliant, but eventually you will get there.
Watch out if you go in the buy/sell area today, there's something of beauty on there at the moment.
|
|
|
Post by lowtechforever on Feb 20, 2022 12:55:43 GMT
Welcome Chris - yes, lots of info on here. I have found the search function to be less than brilliant, but eventually you will get there. Watch out if you go in the buy/sell area today, there's something of beauty on there at the moment. Hi Jem, Of course I had to go and take a look after that! An absolutely stunning bike. Mine is nowhere near that condition but it’s easy to understand how these bikes get under you skin. Cheers Chris
|
|
|
Post by cusqueno on Feb 22, 2022 12:48:13 GMT
... Until the pandemic struck, I cycled most days into Central London (10-mile round trip on a Specialised hybrid bought on the cycle scheme through work) because I didn’t want to be crammed on to the underground and to keep my joints lubricated (I’m 63 going on 64). I am thinking about doing more cycling with a vague eye on retirement. I also think I could hang out with the hipsters of South London with a bike like this. What do you think? I’ve added a link to my Google Drive. I hope it is accessible. Hi. Nice bike your son sold you. His loss I feel, unless lots of £££ changed hands. Pre-pandemic I too commuted into Central London (Westminster), from Fulham and along the Embankment (slightly longer than your journey at 11 miles return). I'm now trying to get back into the cycle commuting habit as my employer (the government) now requires us to work in the office for at least two days / week. I have been using one or other of my Viscounts for the commute since I think 2005. Finding it hard to get up early enough to prepare everything for cycling and for the day ... and the Tube station is only five minutes away from home. What part of S London are you in?
|
|
|
Post by oldroadietehachapi on Feb 22, 2022 16:01:33 GMT
A worthy bike; I like the colors! Welcome to the forum!
Jim
|
|
|
Post by lowtechforever on Feb 22, 2022 18:30:04 GMT
... Until the pandemic struck, I cycled most days into Central London (10-mile round trip on a Specialised hybrid bought on the cycle scheme through work) because I didn’t want to be crammed on to the underground and to keep my joints lubricated (I’m 63 going on 64). I am thinking about doing more cycling with a vague eye on retirement. I also think I could hang out with the hipsters of South London with a bike like this. What do you think? I’ve added a link to my Google Drive. I hope it is accessible. Hi. Nice bike your son sold you. His loss I feel, unless lots of £££ changed hands. Pre-pandemic I too commuted into Central London (Westminster), from Fulham and along the Embankment (slightly longer than your journey at 11 miles return). I'm now trying to get back into the cycle commuting habit as my employer (the government) now requires us to work in the office for at least two days / week. I have been using one or other of my Viscounts for the commute since I think 2005. Finding it hard to get up early enough to prepare everything for cycling and for the day ... and the Tube station is only five minutes away from home. What part of S London are you in? I’m in Clapham Common so straight up the A3 to the City. I think I’ll be dragged back into the office very shortly now that the COVID restrictions are being eliminated. I think I might have to work out a way of using the Viscount since I have a pannier rack on my hybrid and I don’t like cycling with a backpack. I also may have to get the brakes working more efficiently to deal with the other road users too! And of course I will have to try and remember how to synchronise everything so that work clothes, shoes, etc are in the right place. Fortunately, my employer provides secure cycling storage space, changing area and showers so I really can’t complain. I just need to get back into the swing of things again.
|
|
|
Post by lowtechforever on Feb 22, 2022 18:30:43 GMT
A worthy bike; I like the colors! Welcome to the forum! Jim Thanks Jim Cheers Chris
|
|
|
Post by wheelson on Feb 23, 2022 3:42:28 GMT
Hi. Nice bike your son sold you. His loss I feel, unless lots of £££ changed hands. Pre-pandemic I too commuted into Central London (Westminster), from Fulham and along the Embankment (slightly longer than your journey at 11 miles return). I'm now trying to get back into the cycle commuting habit as my employer (the government) now requires us to work in the office for at least two days / week. I have been using one or other of my Viscounts for the commute since I think 2005. Finding it hard to get up early enough to prepare everything for cycling and for the day ... and the Tube station is only five minutes away from home. What part of S London are you in? I’m in Clapham Common so straight up the A3 to the City. I think I’ll be dragged back into the office very shortly now that the COVID restrictions are being eliminated. I think I might have to work out a way of using the Viscount since I have a pannier rack on my hybrid and I don’t like cycling with a backpack. I also may have to get the brakes working more efficiently to deal with the other road users too! And of course I will have to try and remember how to synchronise everything so that work clothes, shoes, etc are in the right place. Fortunately, my employer provides secure cycling storage space, changing area and showers so I really can’t complain. I just need to get back into the swing of things again. Great looking bikes, one and all. It’s great to hear about you guys talking about commuting to work. I plan on doing that at my post retirement bike shop gig starting up again in March (11th season since my engineering retirement). It’s a bit easier for me, about 12 miles round trip on the rail trail. And I get to wear bike clothes at the shop so no worries there. Last year I worked about 100 days there, I won’t ride if the weather is too nasty. I think I’ll try to get a Viscount set up just for commuting, good way to justify the herd! Best, John “wheelson”
|
|
|
Post by cusqueno on Feb 23, 2022 10:47:24 GMT
I’m in Clapham Common so straight up the A3 to the City. Just come back from visiting my daughter who lives near Clapham North tube station. So I drove through the Common. Is the A3 pretty good for cycling now, with the cycle lanes with those skinny bollards in a lot of places?
|
|
|
Post by lowtechforever on Feb 23, 2022 12:00:56 GMT
I’m in Clapham Common so straight up the A3 to the City. Just come back from visiting my daughter who lives near Clapham North tube station. So I drove through the Common. Is the A3 pretty good for cycling now, with the cycle lanes with those skinny bollards in a lot of places? Yes, it's much better than it used to be with all the main junctions having some kind of protection/priority for cyclists. The one exception is the junction of Union Rd/Clapham Rd southbound which remains a pinch point. At the Elephant & Castle, I pick up the North-South cycle superhighway and then at Blackfriars the East-West superhighway so fairly safe within reason. The one big change compared to a couple of years ago is the greater number of electric bikes and the explosion in food delivery riders....
|
|
|
Post by lowtechforever on Feb 23, 2022 12:15:30 GMT
I’m in Clapham Common so straight up the A3 to the City. I think I’ll be dragged back into the office very shortly now that the COVID restrictions are being eliminated. I think I might have to work out a way of using the Viscount since I have a pannier rack on my hybrid and I don’t like cycling with a backpack. I also may have to get the brakes working more efficiently to deal with the other road users too! And of course I will have to try and remember how to synchronise everything so that work clothes, shoes, etc are in the right place. Fortunately, my employer provides secure cycling storage space, changing area and showers so I really can’t complain. I just need to get back into the swing of things again. Great looking bikes, one and all. It’s great to hear about you guys talking about commuting to work. I plan on doing that at my post retirement bike shop gig starting up again in March (11th season since my engineering retirement). It’s a bit easier for me, about 12 miles round trip on the rail trail. And I get to wear bike clothes at the shop so no worries there. Last year I worked about 100 days there, I won’t ride if the weather is too nasty. I think I’ll try to get a Viscount set up just for commuting, good way to justify the herd! Best, John “wheelson” Hi John, That sounds like a nice work set-up you've got there. I can only dream of retirement at the moment but I'll get there one way or another. Best wishes Chris
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jan 5, 2023 22:09:09 GMT
There have been a few registration requests pending, and apologies that you waited longer than I would have wanted, but I haven't been doing the admin for a while.
Welcome to the forum
|
|
|
Post by jazzkifli on Mar 13, 2023 13:31:04 GMT
Hi there, I would like to short introduce myself. First: sorry for my poor english skills. I'm coming from Hungary and I live with my family in Germany, near Bonn. Sadly I don't have the opportunity to use my english sklills so often as I wish. I'll do my best :-) I'm always dreamed about a classic roadbike since I was at ten. Last year my boss wanted to drop out the street this beauty. I said, that I would like to save this for me and so received my Viscount. Viscount by Viktor Deak, on Flickr I'm not sure that which modell I have, on the top tube I see no decals. But regarding of some informations from this forum and from the internet I assume that I have an Aerospace GP modell, from 1974. I have some other questions too, but I don't want to make offtopic here. I think this forum is a treasure, I'm very very happy that I found it :-) Best regards jazzkifli aka Viktor Deak from Germany
|
|
|
Post by oldroadietehachapi on Mar 13, 2023 13:50:01 GMT
Viktor, Welcome to the forum and greetings from California! I think you have a very original Aerospace Pro or Aerospace G.P. from the 1970s. The Aerospace series (in my opinion) rode as well, and were just as light, as even the most expensive road bikes of their day. You have acquired and excellent ride!
All the Best Jim
|
|
|
Post by jazzkifli on Mar 13, 2023 14:00:42 GMT
Viktor, Welcome to the forum and greetings from California! I think you have an Aerospace Pro or Aerospace G.P. from the 1970s. The Aerospace series (in my opinion) rode as well, and were just as light, as even the most expensive road bikes of their day. You have acquired and excellent ride!
All the Best Jim
Hi Jim, Many thanks for the welcome. Can you (or anyone else) tell me what are the main differences between the Pro and the GP modell? Many thanks in advance jazzkifli
|
|
|
Post by oldroadietehachapi on Mar 13, 2023 14:10:42 GMT
The photo I previously posted is my best source describing the differences between the two. They have the same frame and varied a bit in componentry. The gap between the frame and the rear wheel indicate 700c rim diameter and therefore you may have tubulars. The clinchers as I recall were 27". If you have the original rims and they are tubulars, my guess is you have a Pro. You can see this gap in the picture.
Cheers Jim
|
|