Jem
Viscount
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Post by Jem on Mar 5, 2017 15:23:15 GMT
At the bottom of a long downhill country lane yesterday, I had to brake hard and fast from the drops when I spotted the local postman's van and a car pulled up alongside each other, blocking the road, with the drivers having a chat. I was very grateful for my alloy rims' superior braking ability over chromed steel when wet. I only mention this because my fingers might not have been long enough to reach the flat-bar levers fitted to the drops in image 6 of this GP's listing. Any buyer might like to change them. Image 6....Oh my word! Well, I guess they were just sitting there after he stripped the old flat barred bike down in the 70's? So, why not use them? But yikes, just hope they didn't need the brakes in a hurry. In fact, it's hard to imagine any part of the flat of the hand still in firm contact with the bars if your finger tips were around the levers. EDIT- Looked again and realised that the bike is looking ok and mostly original. I really, really don't want to think it came from the factory with them on- we know Viscount mixed parts , but surely not like that? |
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Post by kickstandman on Mar 5, 2017 17:06:26 GMT
I have always liked turkey levers, suicide levers myself; though for myself, I'd say it makes for some lazy riding. The only drawback of turkey levers for me is if I am portaging, I like to put a handlebar bag on the front but those get in the way. This is not a major problem and there are ways to work around it.
I don't mean to bring up bad news but Robt's story reminds me of this atrocious accident where the passenger opened her taxi door and the cyclist was killed. It happened in Leicestershire. I won't link to it, folks can find the story. That's called "dooring" or something, I forget. One doesn't hear much about these kinds of accidents and that's the good thing. I use to ride in an area regularly where being near a university, that was a real danger to watch for.
Butterfly bars, trekking bars, I have used those and those are handy. The thing is, is that most of us aren't looking for extra expenses on the bike. Reminds me of some questions I have I might put in technical some time.
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robt
Viscount
Posts: 562
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Post by robt on Mar 5, 2017 20:30:24 GMT
Image 6....Oh my word! Well, I guess they were just sitting there after he stripped the old flat barred bike down in the 70's? So, why not use them? But yikes, just hope they didn't need the brakes in a hurry. In fact, it's hard to imagine any part of the flat of the hand still in firm contact with the bars if your finger tips were around the levers. EDIT- Looked again and realised that the bike is looking ok and mostly original. I really, really don't want to think it came from the factory with them on- we know Viscount mixed parts , but surely not like that? I think that the gel tape, rather than cloth, suggests that the bars have been refurbished. Other than that and the well-upholstered saddle, I agree that it looks very original. |
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Post by triitout on Mar 10, 2017 4:02:25 GMT
Here's a pair of Aerospace Sports sans decals. One red, one blue, GS derailleur, Sugino cranks, skip tooth freewheel make its identity as Sports clear. I spoke to the seller and he's a flipper so maybe a bit negotiable. The paint looks nice! milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/5999009567.html |
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Post by kickstandman on Mar 11, 2017 14:02:39 GMT
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Post by triitout on Mar 12, 2017 4:11:36 GMT
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Post by kickstandman on Mar 13, 2017 1:34:44 GMT
Bike Ad 1) Not lugged, correct? They sure don't look it. I guess the bike experts call people like that seller, flippers, I don't know if that is the correct term. I do know they sell all the time with quite a few nice bikes coming through. It's always the corner of that building. Bike Ad 2) That is nice and they left the "safety" levers on behind the bag. It does appear there is enough room for the hands behind that bag. It must be a nice decaleur. I have a front decaleur/rack on front but not that much room. Probably VO. With some VO stuff, I'm just not sure of the applications but thankfully, we have a local store now that has some of their products. (for example, things like this: store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/racks-decaleurs/vo-decaleur-kits.html ) Chicagoland has some more Viscounts. Columbus Ohio has a good CL for bikes, Ohio State U being in Columbus... but I don't see Viscounts. kansascity.craigslist.org/bik/6022603210.html KC, well used but it's there. Patina. southjersey.craigslist.org/bik/6032631040.html Jersey, flagstaff.craigslist.org/bik/6019865335.html Flagstaff fixed. |
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Post by kickstandman on Mar 13, 2017 1:40:30 GMT
Some of those in the last post were a bit run-of-the-mill; but in Seattle (where else? They must have one of the most diverse CLs along with SF) here is a looker Viscount.  seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/5992405377.htmlI don't usually post pix, the bandwidth thing; but this is only $100; it could be gone quick. We will see. I"ve got some of those dura aces like that or very similar. I haven't seen this color in a Viscount, this is a very curious bike, 9 pictures are at the ad for those really interested. It's been up a month. I went ahead and saved some of the other photos for posterity should it be gone before folks see it, I could upload it at pedalroom for instance. My size or slightly too big though he doesn't give much in the way of measurements. |
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,418
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Post by Jem on Mar 13, 2017 17:05:29 GMT
My initial glance at this had me thinking 'it's one of those V series that you see in the US but not here'.
On second glance , I don't think it is.
I really don't know but it does look like it could be an earlier Aerospace, but it was sprayed and then updated with new decals?
Someone will know, I am sure....
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Post by triitout on Mar 14, 2017 3:56:21 GMT
Mystery solved on the black, Seattle Viscount. Great find Kickstandman. Trust your instinct Gem. It's a Viscount V-7000 SS, from the early 80's. I've got it right here in a catalogue that came out of an old bike shop. The newer logo and head badge are exact. It's only missing the top tube V-7000 SS decal. It's post Yamaha when Roger Young and associates were licensed agents in the US.. The only difference I see is the RD is not the "black" Shimano Crane model and the fork is not half chrome. Paint might have been removed to look deathly. It does have the same slope and design style. This was the top of the line model with the lugless aerospace frame and sealed bb bearings. A great find and probably one of the last of the aerospace models. Someone should get it!
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,418
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Post by Jem on Mar 14, 2017 6:31:56 GMT
Thanks for putting that one to bed Triitout. That font and style of decal is very much V series. So, what year is it roughly?
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Post by triitout on Mar 14, 2017 18:05:53 GMT
I'm guessing 1983. It's a mix of Dura Ace/600 groupset which according to Livestrong came out in 1983. 1st gen Dura Ace seems to be mid 70's and discontinued early 80's. Maybe they ran this model for a few years with some minor variations like the fork paint and RD.
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Post by busaste on Mar 14, 2017 23:11:12 GMT
Mystery solved on the black, Seattle Viscount. Great find Kickstandman. Trust your instinct Gem. It's a Viscount V-7000 SS, from the early 80's. I've got it right here in a catalogue that came out of an old bike shop. The newer logo and head badge are exact. It's only missing the top tube V-7000 SS decal. It's post Yamaha when Roger Young and associates were licensed agents in the US.. The only difference I see is the RD is not the "black" Shimano Crane model and the fork is not half chrome. Paint might have been removed to look deathly. It does have the same slope and design style. This was the top of the line model with the lugless aerospace frame and sealed bb bearings. A great find and probably one of the last of the aerospace models. Someone should get it! Roger Young's bikes were sold in the USA only in the late 70s although as it was not the most successful of ventures I suspect you could find new old stock ones in the 1980s.
$100?! I'm emigrating...
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Mar 15, 2017 1:12:38 GMT
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Post by kickstandman on Mar 15, 2017 16:12:57 GMT
Boston Craig's List, they have often a very good selection too and here is a Lambert, $150. providence.craigslist.org/bik/6042131364.html Nice So, this one is actually in Providence Rhode Island. TRIPLE LAMBERT branded crank, this one is pretty nice actually. The rear derailleur too, is worth a look. Only $150 , looks to be in good shape per decals I'd say. ----------- columbus.craigslist.org/bik/6027941182.htmlNice drilled triple crank on this LeJeune bike. It seems something about cranks was discussed in the last 6 months. So this is a TA or Stronglight crank, I think TA. This bike is $600. ----------------- For the Lambert, that link did not work for me at one point, providence.craigslist.org/bik/6042131364.htmlIt is on the Boston/Providence Craig's list if anyone wants to see it, I will leave one picture. Fully lugged I assume.  That rear mech, derailleur ? One of those Huret, cyclotouristes? Or something like that? |
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Post by cusqueno on Mar 15, 2017 16:52:56 GMT
This must be a Rhode Island Red Lambert ... The RD is a very rare original Lambert one - see the picture here: www.classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/Harris_Reg/R_Harris_Lam1.htmIt would be good if someone was close enough to snap this up. IMHO the price is worth it just for the crank set and derailleur. All the other original features would be a bonus. If it's the original Lambert fork, it must be very early and probably not one you should use. |
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,418
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Post by Jem on Mar 15, 2017 17:45:33 GMT
Thanks for taking the trouble to post up the picture Kickstandman.
As the kids say ...I'd be "all over that" if it were in the UK. Very nice
He'll deliver within 30 mile radius and further for small fee - sounds like a great bargain!
EDIT- and he says it's a 6.5 out of 10, original owner rode it 40 miles then hung it up - I'd love to see his 9's and 10's out of 10
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Post by triitout on Mar 16, 2017 1:25:55 GMT
Mystery solved on the black, Seattle Viscount. Great find Kickstandman. Trust your instinct Gem. It's a Viscount V-7000 SS, from the early 80's. I've got it right here in a catalogue that came out of an old bike shop. The newer logo and head badge are exact. It's only missing the top tube V-7000 SS decal. It's post Yamaha when Roger Young and associates were licensed agents in the US.. The only difference I see is the RD is not the "black" Shimano Crane model and the fork is not half chrome. Paint might have been removed to look deathly. It does have the same slope and design style. This was the top of the line model with the lugless aerospace frame and sealed bb bearings. A great find and probably one of the last of the aerospace models. Someone should get it! Roger Young's bikes were sold in the USA only in the late 70s although as it was not the most successful of ventures I suspect you could find new old stock ones in the 1980s.
$100?! I'm emigrating...
Was that font used on the head tube only used on Roger Young bikes? I read that Dura Ace/600 groups was introduced in 1983. Was the V series strictly a Roger Young deal? Did Roger Young possibly buy out Yamaha's remaining stock of Viscounts?? Where did he hide all the leftover NOS Viscounts?  ? |
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Post by kickstandman on Mar 16, 2017 17:47:43 GMT
seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/6044489770.htmlI had the black Viscount ad expiring yesterday, it was up for a month; But now, it looks like it is back, newly posted a day ago. Something happens on Craig's list too, where I get some posts "hidden" and it seems to thoroughly be by accident. One has to intentionally hide them. Trivial point.
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Mar 16, 2017 18:49:59 GMT
Great deal! I suppose some savvy buyer will make a profit by parting it out on eBay and then selling the frame and fork.  Cheers Jim |
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Post by kickstandman on Mar 16, 2017 18:58:57 GMT
Great deal! I suppose some savvy buyer will make a profit by parting it out on eBay and then selling the frame and fork. Cheers Jim It was up when I put it up for a month and then, the listing expired. At least, that's darn better than "listing deleted", the dreaded Craig's list white screen which means generally, it's been sold. Some of us have space problems really, I'd love to have something like that or that Rhode Island Lambert bicycle. Space becomes a problem and I definitely like to have something that is ready go. So that takes the space of one bike. But if one has a lot of space, more power to one. When I was younger, I might drive 2 hours to get a bike but maybe not so much now. |
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Post by triitout on Mar 22, 2017 1:08:10 GMT
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Post by kickstandman on Apr 30, 2017 15:51:22 GMT
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Post by kickstandman on Apr 30, 2017 19:29:55 GMT
Has anyone ever ridden a Jeunet Franche? I've got to think ride quality doesn't differ that much from other bikes, just an entry level model but I've been curious.
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Post by kickstandman on May 26, 2017 0:43:16 GMT
Vistas were an interesting brand of bike and probably mainly found in the USA. minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/bik/6128007446.htmlThey would actually emulate some of the better known bikes or bike companies. Here is a Vista Carrera; it is a bit interesting that it has two eyelets in the back. I think they were made in Japan, looks like the lugs on this one are highlighted. The brakes look a bit cheap; Suntour Honor. |
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Post by kickstandman on Jun 2, 2017 0:56:06 GMT
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Post by kickstandman on Jun 8, 2017 15:28:29 GMT
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,418
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Post by Jem on Jun 8, 2017 17:50:06 GMT
Yes, seems they have gone for a very 'English' look. I'll follow the link and have a read up now... |
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Jem
Viscount
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Post by Jem on Jun 8, 2017 17:52:02 GMT
This seems to about sum it up?
"Sentinels were made in the US in the early 1970's and were roughly equivalent to entry-level Japanese road bikes of the time."
But it has many similarities with things like Volkscycle that were Japanese made
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,418
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Post by Jem on Jun 8, 2017 17:56:59 GMT
Just found this...very interesting
"Hi,
IU'm hte founder and owner of Sentinel Bicycle Manufacturing Company. Depending on which model you had --- I htink it was one we called :"Whisper" the frame was either made in Chatsworth CA or depending on the model it could have been made by Shikamura in Kobe Japan. We were the first company to produce quality lugged frames in the US - and eventually couldn;t compete with Taiwan and the ocmpany was sold to a division of Bendix Corp who rather quickly ran it into the ground and closed it down.
Hope this helps
Sheldon Kasower"
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