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Post by sebinho on Jun 22, 2022 15:32:37 GMT
Dear Viscount/s/esses, I've seen Viscount Aerospace Pro for sale which looks like it may be my size (I haven't yet asked the seller any questions). I am 187cm (6' 1.6"). It has its smaller chainwheel missing (as well as the corresponding shifter) and, as you'll see in the picture (if I can add attachments), is sporting one of the death forks, of unknown version. I have a few doubts and I wonder if anyone could please address them. 1. How hard would it be to find a replacement chainwheel that fits? It wouldn't need to be original. 2. What size do you think the frame is? 3. Should someone of 90Kg (198lbs) be riding on death forks? And, a question, not a doubt: 4. What do you think of it? On that last point, it may be difficult to find a replacement fork here in Brazil with a steerer long enough for the frame. Perhaps I could get a Chinese fork but importing from Europe or the US might be too expensive. Hmm, the attach button isn't working for me. Please see the photos on my near identical thread on cyclinguk.org (no one there has answered there since I posted last Friday): forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?t=21010&start=2790Thanks a lot! |
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rodh
Viscount
Posts: 122
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Post by rodh on Jun 22, 2022 17:32:55 GMT
Easy to find a TA inner chainring to complete the set ... ditto a Shimano Almi (dual lever) to sort out the shifter. I'd sell the Campy rear derailleur and reinstate a Shimano Crane, plus the Shimano Titlist front derailleur. The wheels are Mavic reds ... which should be hooked clinchers ... if so you struck lucky. Hooked rims allow you to get to 90psi on narrow tyres, whereas hookless limits you to ~70psi, so something wider has to be used. The Aerospace Pro never came with Campy pedals ... either Lambert's own design (now rare), or Olimpic 64's. Beware thinking about 700c rims ... the brakes may not reach. To me that looks like a 23" frame so with the saddle up you should be absolutely fine ... but measure it! 90kg would be OK on a type 3 fork ... I wouldn't trust an earlier one. If you ride it enough that'll drop to 80kg!  Hope this helps, Rod PS, happy to help with spares where I can but I'm in the UK! |
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Post by brianbutler on Jun 22, 2022 18:05:42 GMT
I agree with everything Rodh said. Also verify that the seat post and stem can be removed. Problems there can be impossible to solve.
Brian
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390 
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Post by Jem on Jun 22, 2022 20:37:51 GMT
I think it looks bigger than 23"...I'm looking at head tube to make that estimation -So I think it would be fine for your height . I would say if it is 23" it might be a bit small for you.(But I dont think it is)
I think you might be the only person on here from South America /Brazil , so I guess Viscount didn't really sell there in any numbers?
As above, make sure seat stem is moving in frame- it's a horrible experience when you cant free one up. I've been there
PS the 'attach' button doesn't work if you want to add photo's to the forum, as we reached the limit quite a while back. You can always host pictures elsewhere and embed them , but we can see those pics ok anyway.
I am sure there will be a few people here who can advise and probably even sell you some parts , but it's whether shipping is prohibitively expensive or not.
Welcome to the forum!
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Post by sebinho on Jun 23, 2022 9:39:37 GMT
Thanks for the replies. Easy to find a TA inner chainring to complete the set That's good news. When I google for "TA inner chainring" there seem to be a few different types. I saw one with 6 mounting holes, others with five and those with four, had different spacings between them. Are there any specific ones you know of that would fit? But there are a couple of good bike mechanics here that should be able to help me find something. Good to know it's possible. PS, happy to help with spares where I can but I'm in the UK! I think for small things, importing can be OK, thanks! I agree with everything Rodh said. Also verify that the seat post and stem can be removed. Problems there can be impossible to solve. Brian Excellent point! I think you might be the only person on here from South America /Brazil , so I guess Viscount didn't really sell there in any numbers? I'm an English born Australian but have lived here for 15 years. Have never seen another Viscount. There are always big limits/tariffs on imports here. During the military dictatorship in the seventies, there was a blanket ban on all car imports for quite a few years for example. Of the bikes from the seventies, you see a few Peugeots and assorted Italian bikes (usually only the frames). From the sixties and earlier, some Raleighs, Hercules and a surprising number of Gorecks, all generally in terrible condition and going for absurd prices! :-) Thanks! |
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Post by brianbutler on Jun 23, 2022 11:42:46 GMT
The inner chain ring is 6 bolt, 80mm BCD (bolt center circle diameter.) It is a TA Cyclotouriste crankset.
Brian
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Post by brianbutler on Jun 23, 2022 11:52:11 GMT
If you are removing the cranks yourself, or having someone else do it, it is important to use the proper crank extractor. TA cranksets have 23.0mm threading but modern crank extractor tools have 22.0mm threading, which can strip the threads in your cranks when you try to pull them off. In the US, and probably elsewhere, there are special extractors for TA and Stronglight cranks. I have one of these, which ships from Poland:
Brian
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Jun 23, 2022 13:33:22 GMT
Welcome to the forum! A Viscount Aerospace is an excellent ride! With helpful advice from this forum, a Viscount is no more difficult to maintain than other bikes.
Cheers
Jim
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Post by sebinho on Jun 23, 2022 21:22:27 GMT
Thanks a lot Jim and Brian. Still not ready to take the plunge and buy the Aerospace yet but I'll be able to make an informed decision now when I do thanks to everyone's help. Seems like a really nice forum here. All the best! Iain
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Jun 30, 2022 14:42:29 GMT
Thanks a lot Jim and Brian. Still not ready to take the plunge and buy the Aerospace yet but I'll be able to make an informed decision now when I do thanks to everyone's help. Seems like a really nice forum here. All the best! Iain Iain, if you do get it (or more info on it), then I'd be interested in what the actual frame size was/is- just out of curiosity |
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Post by wheelson on Jun 30, 2022 16:57:38 GMT
Thanks a lot Jim and Brian. Still not ready to take the plunge and buy the Aerospace yet but I'll be able to make an informed decision now when I do thanks to everyone's help. Seems like a really nice forum here. All the best! Iain Iain, if you do get it (or more info on it), then I'd be interested in what the actual frame size was/is- just out of curiosity Quick question, are very large Viscount frames less common? Was the 25 or 26 inch the tops? I ask because I have a frame that’s WAY too big for me hanging somewhere in the recesses of my garage. Best, John “wheelson” |
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Post by theformeremployee on Jul 27, 2022 19:05:27 GMT
a) some frames were 24 1/2" - the long head tube is the way to spot them.
b) in period (1975-78) Viscount made no attempte to sell to Latin America. Tariffs were punitive
c) this was probably brought into Brazil as used personal effects by someone, probably from the USA.
and
(unrelated, I'm being idle)
I had a pleasent BoW/B&B** with Peter Britton, the former Export manager at Bilston recently, anotherformeremployee, to celebrate his new heart-valve
and plan his 90th birthday. He is on good form, I'm happy to report.
** BoW/B&B - I usually turn up with a bottle of wine and we chat half the night. He's adamant he HAS to cook me breakfast !
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