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Post by wheelson on Nov 26, 2017 15:03:56 GMT
I'm currently building my "formerly known as unknown" Viscount Aerospace and have been gathering some of the signature L&V components. I'm sure it's been mentioned before, but I'm finding some differences between the Lambert and Viscount center pull brakes. Most significant is the brass bushings in the arms are different diameters and not interchangeable. Also, the finish is quite different: the Lambert arms are quite dull, almost pearlescent while the Viscount is more of a polished finish. The Lamberts seem a bit more of a blocky casting, a bit more "industrial". Was this a running change or a firm delineation between Lambert and Viscount?
I'm sure all the veterans on the list know all this, just us newbies will be surprised at this sort of observation. Not critical unless you're going for a pure restoration. I can't since my frameset has been modified with braze-on cable guides, water bottle mounts, and a non-standard repaint. Getting close and excited to get this one road-ready.
Best, John "wheelson"
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Post by eaglerock on Mar 19, 2018 23:39:07 GMT
As I've just dismantled my Lambert brakes for cleanup/lube/reassembly (I'm having a devil of a time getting the springs back in place), I've noticed that the dull grey color of the brake elements appears to me all through the material, rather than anodized. It's quite similar to the material color of the stem, which this early Lambert brochure describes as "aluminium, titanium and magnesium alloy": www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/lambert/The brochure describes the fork, the stem, the seatpost, the pedals and the handlebars as being made of the same alloy, although only the fork blades are described as "heat treated". The brakes are conspicuously not described in that way; there's no material description at all. The brakes in the image are more silver-y than mine; the color of my brakes matches those of the pedals and Gen 1 death fork, so I'm assuming that they're all made from a similar alloy. I've never examined Viscount centerpulls for a comparison, but the Lambert CPs are definitely blockier than MAFACs, Weinmanns or Dia-Compes.
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Post by wheelson on Mar 20, 2018 12:24:49 GMT
[quote author=" eaglerock" As I've just dismantled my Lambert brakes for cleanup/lube/reassembly (I'm having a devil of a time getting the springs back in place), I've noticed that the dull grey color of the brake elements appears to me all through the material, rather than anodized. It's quite similar to the material color of the stem, which this early Lambert brochure describes as "aluminium, titanium and magnesium alloy": www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/lambert/. The brochure describes the fork, the stem, the seatpost, the pedals and the handlebars as being made of the same alloy, although only the fork blades are described as "heat treated". The brakes are conspicuously not described in that way; there's no material description at all. The brakes in the image are more silver-y than mine; the color of my brakes matches those of the pedals and Gen 1 death fork, so I'm assuming that they're all made from a similar alloy. I've never examined Viscount centerpulls for a comparison, but the Lambert CPs are definitely blockier . . ." There is a definite difference between the Lambert and Viscount branded brakes, not only in appearance of "blockiness" and alloy color, but in the dimensions of some components such as the pivot bushings. YES, too, on the spring stiffness in reassembly. One can slip a piece of small tubing over the spring ends just like you use a pipe on a tool to increase power . . . What, did I admit to that?! Best, John "Wheelson"
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