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Post by franco on Aug 1, 2020 9:31:16 GMT
I’ve not mentioned this bike much as it’s took me a while to get it how I want it. As with most old bikes there is always something needs changing due to corrosion or wear and tear, with this one the spokes on the original wheels didn’t clean up well. After swapping wheels about on various bikes I found 700c won’t work on some Viscounts due to the caliper reach on the front fork. I could have looked for a longer reach caliper but try to keep things as original as possible. As far as I’m aware these are the Yamaha replacement forks (someone may correct me there) and the reach is fine for 700c with the original calipers...  On the rear wheel it is a better fit with plenty of adjustment available on the brake blocks  This bike had a stuck seat post which was a nightmare to get out, to the point I thought if I end up with another I’ll just live with it haha. I ended up putting the old Brooks on this and tried leather bar tape, which I quite like, it’s a bit of a Frankenstein Viscount but I’m happy with how it looks. It gets a lot of compliments when out and about and it’s the bike I grab for short journeys.  |
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,380 
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Post by Jem on Aug 1, 2020 9:51:41 GMT
I'd say with some certainty that that is the Yamaha replacement fork.
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Post by franco on Aug 1, 2020 12:01:31 GMT
I thought they were from various pictures.
A friend also has an Aerospace Sport he inherited from his grandad but his forks are half chrome dipped.
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Post by wheelson on Aug 1, 2020 12:29:25 GMT
Nice look with this one, Franco. That red really stands out. I like the bar wrap as well. Are you then running 27's or 700c's on this one? I've had a lot of issues with other bikes, converting to 700c and 650b.
Best,
John "wheelson"
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Post by franco on Aug 1, 2020 17:00:31 GMT
Thanks John. Yes, they are the 700c on there, I wanted show the clearance and how they line up with the original calipers in case anyone else has to go down this route.
Worth noting these are older wheels as well for a 126mm dropout, I didn’t have to cold set the frame or anything. They just fitted straight in.
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Post by wheelson on Aug 2, 2020 3:26:21 GMT
That's good to know. I'm fitting sewups to my pseudo-Supa, which are the same diameter rim as 700c. Since I'm using the black Dura Ace sidepull brakes, I'm hoping for a good fit without using a drop bolt or offset brake shoes. I haven't gotten that far yet but hope to within the next few weeks. The chrome Viscount frameset sort of fell into my lap and has bumped the black and silver Aerospace down to third place.
Best,
John "wheelson"
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Post by franco on Nov 1, 2020 13:29:05 GMT
A bit gusty out there today but otherwise lovely cycling weather. Fitted some modern tyres and pedals with toe straps.  |
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Post by brianbutler on Nov 1, 2020 15:39:55 GMT
Nice job and nice photo. Looks like Ohio or Pennsylvania, eh Wheelson?
Brian
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Post by franco on Nov 1, 2020 16:03:32 GMT
I thought the Continental Grandprix tyres should give me a bit more puncture protection during the winter months.
Amber walls look great but they don’t fill me with confidence once the roads get messy.
The sealed bearings have also arrived for this bike but the crank didn’t feel bad at all today.
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Post by triitout on Nov 1, 2020 21:41:45 GMT
Franco, at least in the USA, the Aerospace Sport was spec'd with a full chrome steel fork and sealed BB bearings so yours is probably original. I've got the same one also in red. When the sealed BB bearings are in good shape, it really rides nicer than a standard BB setup. Looking good!
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Post by franco on Nov 1, 2020 21:56:38 GMT
Thanks triitout.
I should ride this bike more, it’s a bit of a beater but it handles so well and is a joy. Might invest in some decals to tidy it up a bit.
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Post by wheelson on Nov 2, 2020 3:16:14 GMT
Nice job and nice photo. Looks like Ohio or Pennsylvania, eh Wheelson? Brian Franco, that is indeed a nice photo and with a great looking bike as well. I love the red, and looking back at some of your earlier photos, you have that bike set up perfectly to my eye.
Brian, yes, there's a lot of Ohio and Pennsylvania that looks like that. I'm about 40mi east of Pittsburgh or near the "ridges" as they say here. Pretty hilly with some climbs that are a bit challenging, Laurel Mountain on Route 30 is pushing 3,000ft. in elevation. Too much for me in my current state of health, but hoping for better times in Spring, 2021 with some lower back issues resolved. Also, a 26t front inner chainring for my silver/black Viscount Aerospace is going to help with the climbing. A dedicated climbing machine, one more way to justify that extra bike!
Best, John "wheelson"
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Post by brianbutler on Nov 2, 2020 12:55:33 GMT
Wheelson, I thought you were west of Pittsburgh for some reason. I am originally from Ohio. Franco's picture reminded me of my grandparents' farm in central Ohio. Good cycling country - straight flat roads and no traffic. This is the state highway in front of their place.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,380
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Post by Jem on Nov 2, 2020 18:44:59 GMT
I should ride this bike more, it’s a bit of a beater but it handles so well and is a joy. I have the same bike and it's also a beater and not really much of a head turner, but it's a great ride, always reliable, and if I needed to be 100% certain of getting across town quickly, then I'd grab this one. Maybe the wonderful builders at Viscount perfected the whole production line that week the red Sport's came down the line? I wonder what your frame number is Fran? Id be interested to know if they were close? |
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Post by franco on Nov 2, 2020 20:26:21 GMT
I should ride this bike more, it’s a bit of a beater but it handles so well and is a joy. I have the same bike and it's also a beater and not really much of a head turner, but it's a great ride, always reliable, and if I needed to be 100% certain of getting across town quickly, then I'd grab this one. Maybe the wonderful builders at Viscount perfected the whole production line that week the red Sport's came down the line? I wonder what your frame number is Fran? Id be interested to know if they were close? I’ll have a look tomorrow, Jem. Yes they got it right with these and I’d love to find one in better condition. |
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Post by franco on Nov 3, 2020 10:40:37 GMT
The frame number is: 563696.
They seem a bit random to me and it’s a pity no one made a database for reference.
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Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,380
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Post by Jem on Nov 3, 2020 11:50:28 GMT
The frame number is: 563696. They seem a bit random to me and it’s a pity no one made a database for reference. Mine is 107152 But who knows what the numbers mean? There is a thread here with some frame numbers, and then Scott did create a GoogleDocs database of them all... viscountandlambert.boards.net/thread/1065/frame-numbersSome people found similarity in numbers , and some kind of patterns, but nothing conclusive to totally un-lock the code. I can't remember what the member called 'Theformeremployee' , who worked for Viscount said about them? |
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Post by franco on Nov 12, 2020 20:40:16 GMT
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Post by franco on Nov 13, 2020 13:16:53 GMT
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Post by brianbutler on Nov 13, 2020 13:32:51 GMT
Very sharp.
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Post by franco on Nov 17, 2020 14:38:45 GMT
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Post by brianbutler on Nov 17, 2020 15:14:44 GMT
Really nice job, Franco.
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Post by triitout on Nov 17, 2020 19:23:36 GMT
There's something about applying a nice, fresh set of decals that makes the ride that much sweeter. Well done Franco!
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Post by franco on Nov 17, 2020 20:38:45 GMT
There's something about applying a nice, fresh set of decals that makes the ride that much sweeter. Well done Franco! Thanks and you helped without knowing it, the picture of your red Sport was the best pic I could find to position the decals  |
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Post by wheelson on Nov 17, 2020 20:39:32 GMT
Franco, you amaze me! Well done. Best, John "wheelson"
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