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Post by pipes on Apr 18, 2016 18:25:06 GMT
A new viscount owner here. Just picked up a Colorado GT for £15 and a 3 mile round trip to pick it up, the model name was almost illegible but finding this forum helped me identify it and so find photographs of a restored example. Here is the ebay ad that led me to this bike: ![]()  I soon got it going with a new cotter pin, a functional saddle and a bolt in the saddle post bracket. When I first saw it I had serious doubts it would be worth the effort to restore, but the idea is growing on me. Any comments? |
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Jem
Viscount
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Post by Jem on Apr 18, 2016 20:00:06 GMT
Welcome to the forum Pipes!
Well, is it worth a restore?...You could argue that either way I think.
On the negative, I would say unless you have a deep parts box, and a fair bit of time and some strong elbows (if you strip) and then some cash for a re-spray - it isn't worth it in monetary terms, because it would never be 'worth' a huge amount.
Would it be a fun bike to do up and ride...I'm sure it would.
I personally might look around for an aerospace frame if you wanted to get the full 'Viscount experience'.
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robt
Viscount
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Post by robt on Apr 18, 2016 21:49:34 GMT
Welcome from me, too. The great thing about a relatively low cost restoration project is that you haven't mortgaged your house for it, and you've bought a really cheap learning experience. Just by stripping the frame down (never throw anything away - it might be the only thing that fits back on!), you'll learn a lot about how the bike and others like it fit together (or don't). If everything comes off the frame OK including seat post, stem, headset and bottom bracket, you can set about cleaning the frame and forks and checking for any serious defects like bent or broken tubes. Then you can figure out how much you like the idea of bringing it back to life. So far, it's only cost you £15, some elbow grease (or penetrating oil) and maybe a few tools. You might get half of what you spent back by polishing up the shorty mudguards and putting them on eBay. Then you have a whole world of opportunity (and costs) to choose from. I've just posted a picture of my re-painted Sebring frame on Cusqueno's 'N+1' thread, which I guess is similar to the frame you have - lugged, plain gauge 'hi-ten' steel tubing, nothing super lightweight or 'classic'. A few months ago, the frame was only fit for the scrap yard, broken and badly marked, but I wanted to bring it back to life for sentimental reasons. Hopefully, I'll have it all fitted up and running again in time for our get-together in Warwick in July and take great pleasure from riding it again. Will it have been an economic proposition, compared to buying a new end-of-season bargain? Probably not, but it will be something I have re-created from scratch in my spare time, so I won't really care. You probably need to budget about £100 for bits like tyres, inner tubes, a chain, lubes and polishes etc, plus a bit of contingency if you decide the wheels aren't to your liking. If you have £100 you're prepared to take a bet with, have a go and see how far it gets you. Have a good browse around the forum to see what people have achieved and what support is available to you free of charge from the members here. A warning though - once you start, it's difficult to stop, and you'll soon be wanting that Aerospace-framed Viscount that Sooper8 recommends. Don't worry, though, as most of the bits you buy for the Colorado will probably fit it! Best of luck, we're all here for you, though I'm not sure how you'll get that lock off if you don't have the key! |
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Post by pipes on Apr 22, 2016 18:39:22 GMT
Looking better, swapped a few bits around (it's not my only ageing steel bike), at least it's rideable now.  |
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Apr 23, 2016 1:22:04 GMT
Looking good!
Jim
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,389
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Post by Jem on Apr 23, 2016 5:03:42 GMT
It is amazing that you can pick up a decent enough bike for £15 and not long later be on the road without much outlay. This could give you as much pleasure (or more, due to the cost) as a bike 10 or 20 times as expensive.
Good on you for rescuing it!
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Post by pipes on Apr 23, 2016 7:19:28 GMT
More like 100 or 200 times more expensive.
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Post by pipes on Apr 23, 2016 16:02:40 GMT
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,389
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Post by Jem on Apr 23, 2016 19:22:59 GMT
That was a proper work out! |
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Apr 23, 2016 20:57:04 GMT
Looks like fun. Being in England, I suppose you stopped at a pub?
Cheers
Jim
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Post by pipes on Apr 23, 2016 21:35:52 GMT
No pubs this time but 2 x Cafe stops with a bacon roll and a lot of tea, also a third stop with Joe Walsh, The Doors and an espresso  |
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Apr 24, 2016 0:09:56 GMT
Excellent!
Jim
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Post by triitout on Apr 24, 2016 23:45:14 GMT
I like the clip on aerobar setup! There is a Viscount group on Strava that you might want to look into joining. Only 5 members but maybe we can grow it. Welcome aboard!
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jmac
Viscount
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Post by jmac on Apr 25, 2016 8:12:21 GMT
I like the clip on aerobar setup! There is a Viscount group on Strava that you might want to look into joining. Only 5 members but maybe we can grow it. Welcome aboard! |
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jmac
Viscount
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Post by jmac on Apr 25, 2016 8:14:35 GMT
Any pointers on how to find the viscount group. Did a search but didn't bring it up!!
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Post by pipes on Apr 25, 2016 10:31:56 GMT
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Post by scottw on Apr 25, 2016 11:52:45 GMT
Joined.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,389
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Post by Jem on Apr 25, 2016 12:13:19 GMT
I'm on that Strava group but don't use the app on my phone very often as I get more interesting 'data' when I use Cyclemeter.
If I can run both at same time I will try & use Strava a bit.
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Post by whippet on Apr 25, 2016 17:34:15 GMT
Should most rides be on the Viscount to join the group. My training this year is a bit non-Viscount.
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Post by 54roadie on May 12, 2016 18:03:20 GMT
That's a very nice bike, good score!
It looks as if you've already swapped wheels, or at least tires, for your rides. Speaking only for myself, I wouldn't do a full restoration - paint job, every OEM piece exactly correct, etc. I generally don't like stock saddles, for example, and I think there's much to be said for riding a bike with the original paint with it's current "patina."
Welcome to the group.
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