Post by mij on May 22, 2016 16:14:04 GMT
Just discovered and signed to your excellent site.
My name is Jim. I have the custody of a Viscount (don't laugh) 'Tony Doyle model'. I have been looking after this bike since circa 1989. It was bought by my girlfriend at that time and she and I did several memorable tours of Wales and the Marches with it. GF sold it to my sister who kept it for several years, then passed it on to her daughter who used it whilst going through university. Upon my niece leaving uni (in a successful way), the Viscount reverted to my sister where it languished for several more years at the back of her garage. When a house move prompted a clear out, the bike was unloaded onto me (actually, I asked if it was wanted anymore; it was'nt).
I've now had the bike for about 15 years but, I realised quite early on that something wasn't quite right with its handling and further investigation revealed that the front forks were buckled - not badly, but enough to make it want to steer into the hedge most of the time. As I happened to have a 'stray' pair of 531 forks in the attic I fitted them and, well the old Tony now rides and handles like a dream; so well in fact, that I sourced some repro transfers (H Lloyd) and refinished it as nature intended ('race white' with red/white/black transfers).
If anyone is still awake, you'll have got the idea that I like this bike tremendously; and you would be right! It's possibly my favourite bike. I say possibly, because yesterday I found a lugless Viscount frame, sadly neglected, with a broken off gear hanger and damaged seat tube at the top eye but, in my size so, dear reader, I bought it.
My name is Jim. I have the custody of a Viscount (don't laugh) 'Tony Doyle model'. I have been looking after this bike since circa 1989. It was bought by my girlfriend at that time and she and I did several memorable tours of Wales and the Marches with it. GF sold it to my sister who kept it for several years, then passed it on to her daughter who used it whilst going through university. Upon my niece leaving uni (in a successful way), the Viscount reverted to my sister where it languished for several more years at the back of her garage. When a house move prompted a clear out, the bike was unloaded onto me (actually, I asked if it was wanted anymore; it was'nt).
I've now had the bike for about 15 years but, I realised quite early on that something wasn't quite right with its handling and further investigation revealed that the front forks were buckled - not badly, but enough to make it want to steer into the hedge most of the time. As I happened to have a 'stray' pair of 531 forks in the attic I fitted them and, well the old Tony now rides and handles like a dream; so well in fact, that I sourced some repro transfers (H Lloyd) and refinished it as nature intended ('race white' with red/white/black transfers).
If anyone is still awake, you'll have got the idea that I like this bike tremendously; and you would be right! It's possibly my favourite bike. I say possibly, because yesterday I found a lugless Viscount frame, sadly neglected, with a broken off gear hanger and damaged seat tube at the top eye but, in my size so, dear reader, I bought it.
