My Viscount Project - help needed! | Viscount & Lambert Bikes

bully
Viscount

Posts: 3

My Viscount Project - help needed! Dec 30, 2016 11:45:41 GMT

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Post by bully on Dec 30, 2016 11:45:41 GMT

Dear All

I'm looking for help and assistance with identifying and ageing my Viscount bike. I've had the bike since I was 14 - 30 years ago, and it was bought for me second hand. I rode it every day for many years through secondary school and University. It was my only form of transport until I was 22. 5 years ago I got it back on the road and got back into cycling. After 6 months I invested in a new bike and put this back in the shed. Now I want to restore it to its former glory. After searching around on line I haven't seen anything quite like mine. It has no model designation stickers and I've not seen a totally black one either. So, the questions I have are:

1) What model is it?

2) What year is it?

3) What would be the original spec?

From my knowledge the frame, forks, bar, quill stem, brake levers, gear levers, brake, front deraileur, gear cable guide are original. I know the rear deraileur, crank and wheels have been changed over time. Free wheel is Suntour 5 speed.

www.flickr.com/gp/146582112@N06/rS9JSs

Please have a look at the photos - I'd appreciate any info on what I've got.

Thanks

Last Edit: Dec 30, 2016 11:49:34 GMT by bully

sprockit
Viscount

Posts: 366

My Viscount Project - help needed! Dec 30, 2016 14:12:13 GMT bully likes this

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Post by sprockit on Dec 30, 2016 14:12:13 GMT

Black fillet-brazed frame says 'Aerospace Sport' to me, but I'm happy to defer to others who have better knowledge.

If I remember correctly the model was available in red and black, and I'd say the bike was built between 1974 and 1977. Any original Shimano parts are likely to be date stamped and may offer a clue.

You may find the original specification on the Viscount Flickr groups pictures. Cusqueno has posted some of the original Viscount publicity literature on there. A quick look through may answer your questions more precisely than me!

There are also some specification sheets in the library on the VCC site.

Last Edit: Dec 30, 2016 15:51:16 GMT by sprockit

Jem
Viscount

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Posts: 3,390

My Viscount Project - help needed! Dec 30, 2016 18:58:58 GMT

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Post by Jem on Dec 30, 2016 18:58:58 GMT

Welcome to the forum! Nice looking bike you have there.

I really can't add anything more to the words Sprockit says above, but it sounds about right to me.

Here is a dater for the Shimano and SR components that will most likely give you more clues
www.vintage-trek.com/component_dates.htm
Scroll down a bit to find it. The codes are normally tucked away, and take a bit of finding.

bully Viscount Posts: 3	My Viscount Project - help needed! Dec 30, 2016 20:35:19 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by bully on Dec 30, 2016 20:35:19 GMT Thanks for your help. Got to get the bottom bracket out next and then the seat post!

Jem
Viscount

?

Posts: 3,390

My Viscount Project - help needed! Dec 30, 2016 20:47:24 GMT

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Post by Jem on Dec 30, 2016 20:47:24 GMT

Dec 30, 2016 20:35:19 GMT bully said:

Thanks for your help. Got to get the bottom bracket out next and then the seat post!

Good luck with that. There are numerous posts on here about the extraction and replacement of the BB. Ditto seat posts.

triitout
Viscount

Posts: 1,018

My Viscount Project - help needed! Dec 31, 2016 1:19:48 GMT bully likes this

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Post by triitout on Dec 31, 2016 1:19:48 GMT

Dec 30, 2016 20:35:19 GMT bully said:

Thanks for your help. Got to get the bottom bracket out next and then the seat post!

FYI, before you go full bore on getting the bb axle and bearings out, I'd suggest the following. First evaluating the health of those sealed bearing. The rubber seal can be easily pried up with a little care. The bearings are on rings and won't fall out. If they don't look rusty and corroded, clean out what's left of the old grease with your favorite degreaser and load it up with some good Phil Wood waterproof grease and push the seal back on. I've had good look going that route.

Enjoy the ride!
Michael

raymondo Viscount Posts: 131	My Viscount Project - help needed! Jan 2, 2017 19:01:07 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by raymondo on Jan 2, 2017 19:01:07 GMT Potters Bar bike, but a high serial number but Lambert levers. Who knows what went on in that factory. Gran Prix if I had to bet on it.

bully
Viscount

Posts: 3

My Viscount Project - help needed! Jan 2, 2017 20:52:40 GMT

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Post by bully on Jan 2, 2017 20:52:40 GMT

Thanks for the info - it seems a bit of a hybrid! Date codes on Shimano 600 FD is BJ - October 1976, SR Quill Stem is C76 guessing March 1976. Seat post is SR seat post - SR Laprade Fluted - most of that is still in the frame, and might be for a while yet!

Jem Viscount ? Posts: 3,390	My Viscount Project - help needed! Jan 2, 2017 22:04:31 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Jem on Jan 2, 2017 22:04:31 GMT Jan 2, 2017 20:52:40 GMT bully said: Seat post is SR seat post - SR Laprade Fluted - most of that is still in the frame, and might be for a while yet! Many of us here share your pain on this one..

My Viscount Project - help needed!

Post by bully on Dec 30, 2016 11:45:41 GMT

Post by sprockit on Dec 30, 2016 14:12:13 GMT

Post by Jem on Dec 30, 2016 18:58:58 GMT

Post by bully on Dec 30, 2016 20:35:19 GMT

Post by Jem on Dec 30, 2016 20:47:24 GMT

Post by triitout on Dec 31, 2016 1:19:48 GMT

Post by raymondo on Jan 2, 2017 19:01:07 GMT

Post by bully on Jan 2, 2017 20:52:40 GMT

Post by Jem on Jan 2, 2017 22:04:31 GMT