|
Post by johnb on Mar 24, 2014 12:15:59 GMT
I have seen the light! I am, it seems, the proud owner of a Viscount Tony Doyle circa 1981 vintage (lugged frame) I have had this machine since the mid 80's when a good friend (massively tall) gave - or maybe sold - it to me because it was "too small" for him. From 'lurking' on the forum (yes one of them was me) - it seems to be in near original condition. I must confess after several jobs, house moves, children etc. to pass the time since then, I didn't use it much except a brief period in the 90 's the when I did a daily commute of 9 miles or so for a few months. I always found it light responsive and fast and have used it occasionally to go to the shops. Now retired, this will probably become another project, I hope worthwhile. I've always been a keen cyclist but have strayed to the MTB camp in the past few years. Here's some details: - White 'Tony Doyle' frame lugged, 60cm decals 'tony doyle' signature on top tube, 'triple british champions 1981' on down tube and the usual red Viscount decals.
- Frame number: lots of numbers (948??) on rear drop-out
- Shimano Hubs
- Shimano Tourney side pull brakes, unbranded dual levers (!!!)
- 12 speed gearset: Huret F/D, R/D and shifters
- Solida Cranks
- I haven't sized the chainwheels. - Handlebar stem has 'F Belleri' sticker - is this important?
- Original red handlebar tape
- wheels and front tyre (crazed) are original, I remember replacing the rear tyre with a Michelin 27 X 1 1/4 some years back (it's hardly worn)
A couple of pics: Thanks in advance for comments, advice and encouragement. John PS: Renewed interest was prompted by daughter's b/f's love of classic road bikes; this is all your fault Ben!
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Mar 24, 2014 12:42:19 GMT
Hello, John, and welcome to our little round. One of the rare occasions where people actually have had the bike since the 80s. I'm assuming your friend changed a few things before he sold it to you? 6-speed is not the Viscount norm and the crank set, although beautiful doesn't look original to me, but then, Viscount never stuck to what they originally planned. :-) I used to have a Viscount Tony Doyle frame, but sold it on as it was 24.5 inches and definitely a tad on the large side for me. Beautiful in white with red decals. I suggest you give your bike a once-over (bearings, drive-train, etc.), a good clean and come to show it off on the 28th of June at the DFR2. By the way: the stem looks a bit far out from here, but it may just be perception.
|
|
|
Post by johnb on Mar 24, 2014 14:19:19 GMT
Hello Stella, you're the lady from Hackney aren't you? - Stoke Newington lad myself, but live in the midlands now... I have no reason to believe that the bike was modified by my pal - he was (and still is) not that sort of chap. It's definitely a 6 speed cassette - (18AX swap mebbe). The plot thickens..... BTW thanks for the spot on the h/b stem - just checked it and well above the 'top' mark on it - how many years have I been riding about with it like that, I dread to think. Good news is it is pristine inside and adjustment was dead easy.
John
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Mar 24, 2014 17:07:06 GMT
Hello, John.
Well, I lived in Hackney (Stokey!) for five years. Near the train station. Loved it there. I'm in Finsbury Park now and love it, too. So it's close by. And I need to move, so may look into Hackney again. How interesting about the bike coming as six-speed. Maybe someone can shed light on this? It's the first time I've head of a 6-speed Viscount, so I may stand corrected.
Good to hear the stem's smooth, getting them out when they seize up can be a bit of a bugger.
|
|
Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,390
|
Post by Jem on Mar 24, 2014 18:53:15 GMT
Hello John, great to have new members post up, it keeps things interesting! Thanks for posting up some detailed info on the bike too, it is always good to share the details! My Viscount Grand Sport of the same era has Huret rd and fd. Although I occasionally hear disparaging comments about them on forums, I really enjoy using them, they change really solidly and I know exactly where I am with them. They feel very different to any Shimano I have but they seem to be built like a tank. Not pretty but they work fine! Maybe keep your eye out for a reasonably priced Viscount to buy for your daughter's b/f (and indeed your daughter?) to get them into it too? EDIT- I'm in Midlands too. We have a few members around here.
|
|
|
Post by whippet on Mar 24, 2014 19:10:42 GMT
Welcome John, if you are capable of cycling a few yards between several pubs, you should come along to the Death Fork Rally this year. :-)
|
|
|
Post by velocipete on Mar 24, 2014 21:05:45 GMT
Hi John,welcome aboard. Notice no ones has mentioned hills yet,only the blissful pubs you reach by climbing them!!!! Hope to see you in June. Cheers, Pete.
|
|
bendo
Viscount
Posts: 538
|
Post by bendo on Mar 25, 2014 10:57:34 GMT
Did I hear my name? Welcome John. There's a lovely bike underneath that grime. And what a crankset! Never seen the like. Like Stell said, give it the once over and it'll look like a new bike. I reckon the Tony Doyles being 80s were quite likely to come with 6 speed freewheels. I remember the first time I heard of a 12 speed bike back then I could hardly believe it! I think my brain would have exploded if anyone had told me that one day there would be bikes made with 11 speeds just on the back! (Funny story: when I got back into cycling and resto-d the original VA Sport however many years ago, I was still so stuck in the 70s-80s that when buying a new chain for it I asked for 10 speed. And I got this ultra expensive, ultra skinny Ultegra chain. I thought he meant "in total"!) OK John so since you didn't ask, here's what I'd do... - clean
- new saddle (leather, Brooks-style)
- new bar tape (same colour)
- new gear and brake cables (mandatory for an older bike)(BTW run the front brake cable behind the bars when you re-do it)
- lower stem (done)
- new brake blocks (IMHO should always be Kool-Stop Salmon, but this is a subject of some conjecture)
And then I would put a pair of these on. I can say after riding them for a few weeks now that they are indeed softer and more responsive at the same pressure than their steel-beaded cousins. Needless to say photos please when she (he? Tony?) is spruced up! b
|
|
bendo
Viscount
Posts: 538
|
Post by bendo on Mar 25, 2014 11:18:50 GMT
Or maybe one of these. They're sounding pretty good. I don't think they come in black or brown though. Yet. b
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Mar 25, 2014 12:06:12 GMT
I concur on the tyres. I, too, have the Panaracers and have had only one puncture since October (side wall, unfortunately). They also run quite smoothly. If the wheels are alloy, which they seem to be, I'd go for the grey Kool Stop brake pads, for chrome I'd use the salmon (or if you really want to cycle a lot, get a set of new alloy wheels for the bike in case they're chrome). Brake pads: www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b69s104p1591And they should have them in salmon, too.
|
|
|
Post by cusqueno on Mar 25, 2014 15:36:29 GMT
Hello, John, and welcome to our little round. One of the rare occasions where people actually have had the bike since the 80s. I'm assuming your friend changed a few things before he sold it to you? 6-speed is not the Viscount norm and the crank set, although beautiful doesn't look original to me, but then, Viscount never stuck to what they originally planned. :-) I used to have a Viscount Tony Doyle frame, but sold it on as it was 24.5 inches and definitely a tad on the large side for me. Beautiful in white with red decals. I suggest you give your bike a once-over (bearings, drive-train, etc.), a good clean and come to show it off on the 28th of June at the DFR2. By the way: the stem looks a bit far out from here, but it may just be perception. I've just checked my 1981 mini-catalogue of Viscount models (just a fold-out flyer really). There are no ten-speeds listed - every bike with a front derailleur is a twelve-speed. All other adult bikes are either five-speed, with no FD, or have Sturmey-Archer three-speed hubs. However, not all models known to have been produced in or around 1981 are listed - for instance, no mention of the Tony Doyle!
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Mar 25, 2014 16:58:40 GMT
Cheers, John. I knew I could count on your owning the catalogues (still VERY jealous). My frame didn't have wheels, but my sprint was a 10-speed.
By the way, did you see my reply to your messages?
|
|
|
Hello All
Mar 26, 2014 10:37:52 GMT
via mobile
Post by johnb on Mar 26, 2014 10:37:52 GMT
Thank you all for your comments and encouragement. I'll try to keep you posted on progress with what is now a definite project. Thinking about DFR2 as well especially the pub bits ?
|
|
|
Post by velocipete on Mar 26, 2014 12:53:06 GMT
Don't forget it seems ot follow the old addage;- "No pain,no gain". If DFR1 is owt to go by,you'll have earned those pints! Cheers, Pete.
|
|
|
Post by whippet on Mar 26, 2014 16:17:22 GMT
Thank you all for your comments and encouragement. I'll try to keep you posted on progress with what is now a definite project. Thinking about DFR2 as well especially the pub bits ? The main thing is to build up your training for DFR2 gradually. Best to start on just a couple of pints a night.
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Mar 26, 2014 20:34:25 GMT
You crack me up, Kev.
|
|
|
Post by johnb on Oct 17, 2014 14:21:45 GMT
Hello again! Well, apart from a saddle (still looking for a Brookes!) and some pedals, 'Tony' is now almost complete - for now. The saga: - Stripped everything - well almost: brakes, derailleurs, BB, cassette, wheels tyres, steerer bearings
- decided against respray/coat to preserve decals, but had paint matched at local car body shop
- de-rust and retouched frame and forks then lacquer
- New brake blocks (yes! Kool-stop salmon)
- Full new set of cables, decided on white rather than red for the outers
- Handlebar tape & bar ends
- general clean & polish of metal parts
- Sourced some NOS alloy rims Rigida - (same as the old chromed ones) and rebuilt wheels on original hubs (more later) with new set SS spokes (wheelpro.co.uk spoke calculator invaluable (& spot-on))
- Reassembled...
Then! new chain diagnosed severe wear on cassette by jumping in top three gears!! It has the earliest Uniglide hub for which I discovered replacement parts are virtually unobtainable, or second mortgage territory. After much soul-searching sourced an old style NOS 27" X 1 1/4" wheel complete with 6 speed cassette (conventional threaded fitting). Reassembled - again! And here he is... Finished on 14th June, work and family holidays have intervened, not much riding done yet but test runs have been pretty good - nothing's fallen off yet!
|
|
|
Post by johnb on Oct 17, 2014 16:36:45 GMT
And the other side....
|
|
|
Post by velocipete on Oct 17, 2014 18:09:50 GMT
Very nicely done,looks a treat! Looking forward to seeing it at DFR3. Enjoy riding it,family are such a distraction when it comes to going out on your bike!!!! Cheers, Pete.
|
|