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Post by foggy on Sept 18, 2016 10:39:38 GMT
Hi all, I'm new to your forum but am amazed at the enthusiasm of you Lambert/Vicount fans! Having said that, could you help me identify my bike please? Apparently it had been used as a training bike by a keen club cyclist and I bought it from our local bike shop in the mid seventies with the intention of tidying it up getting back into cycling after a fifteen year lay-off, but other than a few local rides, I never did get into it and stuck with my motorcycling instead! Therefore, for the past thirty years or so the Lambert has languished in our loft. We're now having a big clear out so out comes the bike with the thought of selling it, but now I'm not so sure because from what I see on this forum, it looks like a bit of a rarity. A quick spin around the drive proved it's all working (and reminded me how light it is!), but as you can see, it's due a fair bit of tlc! I can't find a frame number and don't know if I have a death fork or the modified stem, but here's the rest of the spec: 23" frame Lambert badged: brakes and levers, gear change levers, cable clips, toe clips & chainwheel set Simplex gears Weinmann rims Normandy front hub Atom rear hub Seat was covered in brown suede leather but it was tattered so I removed it. Photos show all the important bits I think (that's if I've managed the Flickr thing!) www.flickr.com/photos/145346215@N08/shares/U9j72Uwww.flickr.com/photos/145346215@N08/shares/E3A3nu |
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390 
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Post by Jem on Sept 18, 2016 11:59:28 GMT
Hello there Foggy and welcome to the forum...yes, we are pretty enthusiastic about the Lambert/Viscount's. Unfortunately it doesn't always translate into £ or $'s,otherwise they'd be some rich folk on here, but if you are keeping it then you have a great bike there! As you say, it is very light weight and for the time must have been head and shoulders above most other things in the average local bike shop (not a bad price either!)
It is an early 70's Lambert with an Aerospace (brazed, none lugged) frame, it looks to be all original. I can't recall the exact model but think it's the GP? Other's will know and there are pics of one in the same colour scheme here on the site. Essentially, the different colours at the joints and mid way down the seat tube denote the different models, but they are all essentially the same frame with sightly different components and tubs or clinchers.
I'd say give it a clean over with an oily rag and enjoy this autumn sun we are having here in UK (if you're in the UK?). If you are selling then there might be interest , so put where you are located.
At a glance I would say there is a probability that you have the death fork....on the bright side, only approx 0.02 % failed...and some here ride on them but most would say don't chance it. First thing before you look under the fork , put a magnet on it, and if it sticks, you have no worries.
Note- frame number under BB but it doesn't really help date/age it, as there is no real system that we have worked out yet. I'd go 1973 at a guess.
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Post by foggy on Sept 18, 2016 15:25:03 GMT
Hi Sooper8, Thanks for prompt response! The fork is definitely aluminium and I've just taken the front wheel out to check underneath and it's as smooth as a baby's bum! No sign of any steel spigot. From what I've found elsewhere on the web (probably on here too but haven't found it yet see - viscount-lambert-bikes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/about-those-lambert-viscount-death.html ), it looks like I could modify my fork to the later type anyway by making a suitable spigot. Would you know if anyone has tried this as it seems a shame to bin that nice looking fork. Thanks also for advice on selling. Haven't decided yet. Having been tinkering about with it I'm feeling I might keep it, but that's only my own opinion, haven't told the wife yet! Oh, nearly forgot, yes, in the UK in Solihull, West Midlands. |
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Sept 18, 2016 15:40:10 GMT
I don't recall anyone modifying a 'death fork' (to a life fork? haha) but once again as above, I am sure others will be here later to give an opinion.
We have a few members very close to you, and I am just down the A38 in Burton on Trent. We held our annual rally in July this year not far from Solihull, but we have world wide membership and contributors on here.
If you need any help, just ask - it might be that of you can get to grips with the search function , then you might find plenty of info. I have always found it to be quite hard to narrow down searches and find threads that I want, but that could just be me...
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Post by foggy on Sept 18, 2016 17:43:04 GMT
Thanks again. BTW, while the bike was upside down for fork inspection, I had a real good look at the underside of the BB and couldn't see any sign of a frame number. Mind you, it looks like the previous owner did some touching up with a dollop of Dulux or similar so it might be covered up. As to model, it does say 'Professional' on the gold anodised sleaves on the handle bars if that counts for anything.
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robt
Viscount
Posts: 559
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Post by robt on Sept 19, 2016 16:41:52 GMT
I'm in Solihull too so, if you want a hand tidying it up, let me know and I'll send you my contact details. If you get it all working smoothly, you can convince yourself that it's worth more to you as a runaround than anyone might pay you for it. Then you just have to convince your wife.
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Post by lewisg on Sept 19, 2016 18:07:15 GMT
Very nice and very original! My recently purchased Lambert (pictures soon - different model but fillet brazed frame) also has no sign at all of a frame number.
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Post by foggy on Sept 20, 2016 10:54:46 GMT
Thanks for the offer robt. Just procrastinating at the moment while contemplating other must-do jobs. At least the bike is now in the garage as a regular reminder that I need to decide something!
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