Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,418 
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Post by Jem on Apr 10, 2016 21:38:55 GMT
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Post by kickstandman on Apr 11, 2016 1:46:36 GMT
I spied a 531 Reynolds sticker on it which the ad confirms. Well, that might have something to do with it. I've been reading this forum for months and have seen most of the threads; I'm not aware of a Reynolds 531 frame Viscount prior but maybe I missed it. The sticker in the photo reads "Renovated 531". I'm not sure the seller mentions the frame material.
And that saddle; "Velegal", I can't read it. That's unique. Maybe it says "Regal"??
I did a simple search of "531" on this forum and per a precursory search, I did not find it mentioned in connection with a Viscount.
That bike could have been repainted but perhaps not, the paint looks swell; it has no other stickers or decals BUT..... it has a Reynolds 531... actually Reynolds Renovated 531 sticker, renovated, sounds like recycled or something. So; I'd be a bit questioning on this. That bike does not appear to even have a head badge but of course, Viscount is printed on the stays.
Anyone?
I go to the other forum, it's fine to be a "weight weenie", use the lightest bottom bracket, etc. but I'm not a freak on it, there are many nice hi-ten bikes as well.
My gut feeling is that the one sticker on the bike, "Reynolds Renovated 531" doesn't look right. Pardon me for my long-winded posts.
Surely, the seller meant to say "12 speed", not 21 speed, no triple crank and probably about 6, maybe even 5 cogs on the cluster.
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Post by cusqueno on Apr 11, 2016 12:32:50 GMT
Mechanically this looks very similar to my Viscount Aerospace 400, which I bought new in 1981. The saddle isn't original, nor the pedals, but the unusual 400 RD probably is - where the model got its name from I suppose - and the Altus FD, although mine had a 600 RD and a Dura ace FD. You don't often see Shimano 400 derailleurs about. They seem similar to the older Altus ones and perhaps were just a re-badging. The Weinmann 605 side pulls and SR Apex chain set are as mine was. Can't see the stem, bars or brake levers on the pictures. Mine were SR, ITM and Weinmann respectively. Mine had half chrome front forks without lugs. Some photos of my VA 400 are here. I'm sure you're right about the Reynolds 531 sticker - must have been added by an enthusiastic restorer. No Viscount bike ever used 531 (with the possible exception of a 1981 'Team' Dura Ace bike, which might have been offered in 531 or Columbus tubing, as well as the standard 'Aerospace'. And, judging from my 400, the original pedals would have been Olimpic 64s (yes, Olimpic is spelled correctly), nice Campa knock-offs made in Spain, I believe, and used on a lot (most?) of the higher-end Viscount models once the Lambert type were discontinued. To make you feel comfortable with using non-Viscount pedals, the Olimpic caps too often go AWOL and can be difficult and expensive to replace. |
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,418
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Post by Jem on Apr 11, 2016 12:40:48 GMT
The 'viscount' stamped into seat stays is also an Aerospace 400 feature?
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Post by cusqueno on Apr 11, 2016 12:43:16 GMT
The 'viscount' stamped into seat stays is also an Aerospace 400 feature? I think so. It's like mine. But later 400 models seem to have the same frame, or at least a very similar one, to that used on the Corsair and your Deore 18ax. |
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Post by kickstandman on Apr 12, 2016 2:32:12 GMT
Mechanically this looks very similar to my Viscount Aerospace 400, which I bought new in 1981. The saddle isn't original, nor the pedals, but the unusual 400 RD probably is - where the model got its name from I suppose - and the Altus FD, although mine had a 600 RD and a Dura ace FD. You don't often see Shimano 400 derailleurs about. They seem similar to the older Altus ones and perhaps were just a re-badging. The Weinmann 605 side pulls and SR Apex chain set are as mine was. Can't see the stem, bars or brake levers on the pictures. Mine were SR, ITM and Weinmann respectively. Mine had half chrome front forks without lugs. Some photos of my VA 400 are here. I'm sure you're right about the Reynolds 531 sticker - must have been added by an enthusiastic restorer. No Viscount bike ever used 531 (with the possible exception of a 1981 'Team' Dura Ace bike, which might have been offered in 531 or Columbus tubing, as well as the standard 'Aerospace'. And, judging from my 400, the original pedals would have been Olimpic 64s (yes, Olimpic is spelled correctly), nice Campa knock-offs made in Spain, I believe, and used on a lot (most?) of the higher-end Viscount models once the Lambert type were discontinued. To make you feel comfortable with using non-Viscount pedals, the Olimpic caps too often go AWOL and can be difficult and expensive to replace. The 1976 red Viscount Aerospace Sport: I finally got some "shorty" mudguards like that bike has, everyone, well, many people say that such mudguards are basically useless but they look sharp. Viscount Aerospace 600ex; yes, what a bike that looks like. I will have to reread these threads. For winter duty, I have a blue Motobecane Mirage Sport, brazed early '80s frame, installed a generic triple crank on it from Ebay UK and I'm leaving the Viscount Aerospace for better weather. The Mirage Sport had a stuck seat post when I purchased it, I don't think any damage was done removing the post but that is definitely my beater bad weather bike and it has a nice ride to it. When things settle down, I really want to go over to England for the DFR and France too; to see friends. Maybe it's just a dream. |
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,418
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Post by Jem on Apr 12, 2016 15:48:37 GMT
Mechanically this looks very similar to my Viscount Aerospace 400, which I bought new in 1981. The saddle isn't original, nor the pedals, but the unusual 400 RD probably is - where the model got its name from I suppose - and the Altus FD, although mine had a 600 RD and a Dura ace FD. You don't often see Shimano 400 derailleurs about. They seem similar to the older Altus ones and perhaps were just a re-badging. The Weinmann 605 side pulls and SR Apex chain set are as mine was. Can't see the stem, bars or brake levers on the pictures. Mine were SR, ITM and Weinmann respectively. Mine had half chrome front forks without lugs. The 1976 red Viscount Aerospace Sport: I finally got some "shorty" mudguards like that bike has, everyone, well, many people say that such mudguards are basically useless but they look sharp. When things settle down, I really want to go over to England for the DFR and France too; to see friends. Maybe it's just a dream. I agree - the shorties are not a great practical item but I too think they look great - I suppose if you became accustomed to them in your formative years, they embed into the DNA without too much criticism. A bit like your home town brew...I have tasted some foul beers that people in other places think are some kind of heavenly nectar, just because it was their 'first love' beer. Likewise, not everyone takes to Marstons Pedigree, which was my teenage first (beer) love. I dream of the day when DFR's are international. It nearly happened this year, so keep aiming for it, it could happen!? |
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robt
Viscount
Posts: 562
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Post by robt on Apr 12, 2016 23:25:06 GMT
Can't even be bothered to take a toothbrush to the brake blocks and asking £300? Best of luck.
Still, it makes the pretty and mostly original blue mixte Sebring look like good value at £150 (if you have a soft spot for Sebrings)...
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