|
|
Post by 97point6 on Mar 25, 2014 0:25:29 GMT
Hi all -
I'm resurrecting my Viscount back from the dead. Working on the freewheel at the moment but I can't find the removal tool to do the trick. Purchased a Park Tool FR-1.2 - but it's too big. The freewheel is the Shimano unit and I'm including a photo. Has anyone removed their gears lately? What did you use?
|
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Mar 25, 2014 12:17:57 GMT
Hi, 97point6, and welcome to the forum. If the FR-1.2 is too big, and by the look at the picture, I'd say you'll need the old Shimano freewheel removal tool. I don't know if Hunterliney has tried his as he's bought one from eBay www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390804622206?_trksid=p2055120.m1438.l2661&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT, so he could confirm if that's the right size. VAR also does the old-size tool. Where are you based? If you're in London, you could pop into Vintage Bike Cave, they have the tool and that's how I got mine removed. Is the freewheel worn? Or is it in good nick? Hope this helps. Anyway, I'd like to know more about your Viscount. How about a quick description and some pictures? I'm sure the others are curious, too. Best, Stella |
|
|
|
Post by cusqueno on Mar 25, 2014 15:25:45 GMT
The YH on the freewheel looks like a Shimano date code. If it is, then it's either August 1974 or August 1990. Would that help identify the tool to use?
|
|
|
|
Post by 97point6 on Mar 26, 2014 16:51:47 GMT
Actually, I'm in California. I would dearly love to drop in at the Vintage Bike Cave, but that will have to wait till later. The link to the freewheel tool on eBay appears to be the one I need. It's difficult to get an accurate measurement with the axle in the way, but 19-20mm is smaller than the FR 1.2 I have now. The axle spins nicely (still) but I wanted to pop the gears and give everything a good cleaning.
I bought my Viscount back in 1974, and have held on to it ever since. Years ago, I lent it to my son (he was just a kid at the time) only to discover he had spray painted the entire frame black. Ouch! The original paint was a goner. I dismantled the bike, stripped ALL the paint and sprayed a coat of primer to protect it. Until recently, everything has been boxed away for years.
My initial plans were to repaint the frame in the original white/blue and reapply same-look Viscount decals. However I was able to buy another frame (only) out of Chicago. The color is the same white/blue and the paint and decals are in really good condition. An added bonus, the bottom bracket is in much better condition than mine. At this point I've worked my way through most of the parts, inspecting and cleaning. The only part missing is one of the top tube brake cable clips, and of course, new cables and white housings. I'm going to hang all my original parts off the 'new' frame, so I can have an 'my' Viscount once again.
As far as my 'old' frame, I'm not sure what the future holds. The axle is fine but the bottom bracket bearings are toast - they'll have to be replaced. First thing though, I want my Viscount back. I will post photos later on, promise. Thank you Stella and cusqueno for your replies and help. For now, I'm going to see if I can grab one of those freewheel tools.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Mar 26, 2014 17:10:35 GMT
Fear not, you can easily buy new bearings. Here's what I'd do: put together the 'new' bike and enjoy riding around on it. If the 'old' frame is in good condition and is looking fine, try get Viscount/Lambert parts for it and use it as a commuter/pub bike.
If you're really keen, get it resprayed, maybe in a different colour? Makes for a lovely change.
And don't forget to show us pictures. :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by 97point6 on Mar 26, 2014 17:19:53 GMT
Do you know of anyone who has tried to powder coat a frame? I like the look, but I'm worried about the temperature used in curing the powder.
|
|
|
|
Post by whippet on Mar 26, 2014 18:02:34 GMT
Mine's powder coated, looks pretty good. Busaste arranged it all for me so he'd be the one to confirm details.
|
|
|
|
Post by velocipete on Mar 26, 2014 19:14:36 GMT
Hi,
no problems with powder coating bike frames.The bake temperature isn't high enough to worry about weakening the brazing.
There are a huge choice of colours available,and it's a hard wearing finish. Remember it was a mass produced bike,with the bean-
counters watching the pennies,so a long lasting finish wasn't envisaged.Mostly it's a miracle that original finishes have lasted so
long!
What ever you decide,the most important thing is to enjoy riding one of the best value for money bikes, EVER!!!!
Cheers,
Pete
|
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Mar 26, 2014 20:31:33 GMT
Busaste took care of my frame, too. Pretty gorgeous, I must say. And as Pete says, the temperatures aren't high enough to damage the frame.
No which company would do it in California, but I'm sure you'll get that sorted. I love to have more than one Viscount, so I can switch between the bikes (according to what I'm wearing). :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by cusqueno on Apr 17, 2014 10:19:54 GMT
Hi, 97point6, and welcome to the forum. If the FR-1.2 is too big, and by the look at the picture, I'd say you'll need the old Shimano freewheel removal tool. I don't know if Hunterliney has tried his as he's bought one from eBay www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390804622206?_trksid=p2055120.m1438.l2661&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT, so he could confirm if that's the right size. VAR also does the old-size tool. Where are you based? If you're in London, you could pop into Vintage Bike Cave, they have the tool and that's how I got mine removed. Is the freewheel worn? Or is it in good nick? Hope this helps. Anyway, I'd like to know more about your Viscount. How about a quick description and some pictures? I'm sure the others are curious, too. Best, Stella I can confirm that the tool at the link Stella gave is the right one for pre-1985 Shimano blocks - because I bought one and it works. |
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Apr 17, 2014 10:49:26 GMT
Perfect! As I'm just doing the same.
|
|
|
|
Post by 97point6 on Apr 17, 2014 15:22:14 GMT
Yes, third one was the charm. I used the link (Thank you Stella) and ordered the tool. When it arrived it wouldn't go in. After a bit of filing (and cursing) it slipped right in, perfect fit.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Apr 17, 2014 17:07:52 GMT
You're welcome. I've ordered one, too. Oh, and just to confirm, John, my BB tool will be ready soon. Steve's been in touch and updated me. I even get an 'updated' version. So it's the VBB2. Oh, yes!
|
|
|
|
Post by vtchuck on Sept 1, 2014 19:46:24 GMT
I'm facing the same freewheel removal problem. A kind fellow offered to loan me his tool. I've heard that there can be problems with
the Shimano tool TLFW80 that it won't fit over the axle and you have to remove the axle to use the tool.
Any experience and advice as to how to remove the rear axle, if it comes to that?
Thanks
Tom
|
|
|
|
Post by velocipete on Sept 1, 2014 20:04:50 GMT
Chuck you only need to remove the lock nut from the free wheel side.I was using mine this very morning,it's duel function
and works on Suntour freewheels at the other end.Or should I say did! Trying to remove a rather nice Suntour Winner free wheel
the b lugs sheared off the tool.Not a happy bunny.
Best of luck.
Cheers,
Pete.
|
|
|
|
Post by vtchuck on Sept 1, 2014 20:31:15 GMT
Chuck you only need to remove the lock nut from the free wheel side.I was using mine this very morning,it's duel function and works on Suntour freewheels at the other end.Or should I say did! Trying to remove a rather nice Suntour Winner free wheel the b lugs sheared off the tool.Not a happy bunny. Best of luck. Cheers, Pete. Thanks..... once I get it off, its not being used again. Had the same experience with a ST Gold Freewheel on a Campy NR hub. Tried a wrench and pipe, vise... no dice. Took it to my LBS, and gave them a Suntour removal tool and they destroyed the tool, but didn't even scratch the freewheel. Fortunately, I have plenty of ST tools and extra cogs, so I'm living with it. Cheers Tom |
|
|
|
Post by velocipete on Sept 1, 2014 21:14:16 GMT
ST bits are now worth some serious dosh in the UK.There's a gent trades on ebay and some of his free wheels now approach
£3figures! They're a good bit of kit,but?
Cheers,
Pete.
|
|
|
|
Post by cusqueno on Sept 2, 2014 7:01:28 GMT
I've got a nice SunTour Winner block stuck on a Viscount hub. It was like that when I bought it. So far I've broken one tool and the hub looks a bit the worse for wear, but it's still stuck. The best chance of removing stuck blocks is of course before you unlace the wheel - but I didn't have that option. And use grease or Copper-Eze when you re-assemble.
|
|
|
|
Post by velocipete on Sept 2, 2014 7:46:28 GMT
I don't think grease / copper-eze would have helped much in my case.The wheel was a Swallow hubbed 48 spoke
tandem wheel with threads for a drum brake.A nice thing to have,but I don't need it on my tandem as that's
all Campg.So it was effectively tightened by twice the torque usually applied to a solo!
Cheers,
Pete.
|
|
