|
|
Post by brianbutler on Oct 22, 2020 12:17:33 GMT
Saw this listed near me:
I am attempting to buy it but there is a buyer ahead of me with the same offer of $40. It looks to be missing too many parts to get into a bidding war. I do like the TA crankset, though.
Brian
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelson on Oct 22, 2020 13:48:33 GMT
Brian,
That looks like a wealth of spares. I answered you off forum about the frame. Let me know how all this works out. Another listmember here had generously offered me a small frame as well, unfortunately it's "across the pond" and may take some real effort to get it here. This Lambert would be a real plus in that it's in the USA.
Best,
John "wheelson"
|
|
|
|
Post by brianbutler on Oct 22, 2020 15:48:49 GMT
I was able to snag the small Lambert by bidding $60 with a one-hour pickup time. Here are some photos of the bike after I got it home:
The main points:
This is a First Generation Lambert - lugged frame and threaded bottom bracket. My 62cm
The frame looks to be in good shape. Paint, decals, etc. are reasonably good. The rear stays have been spread to accommodate the larger cassette but I see no damage and I'm sure it can be put back to 120mm if desired. Seat post and stem are free. Bottom bracket internals are messed up, primarily because it is put back together without the ball bearings - rookie mistake I guess. The BB threading looks good. Wheels and tires are wrong. Right side of the crankset is a replacement but, oddly enough, the left crank arm is original. Death fork installed. Clipless pedals installed.
Wheelson, let's discuss what you want me to ship. The only two items I would like to keep are the left crank arm to complete a set I have, and the rear brake caliper that I am missing.
Brian
|
|
|
|
Post by oldroadietehachapi on Oct 22, 2020 17:22:09 GMT
Your little Lambert reminds of bikes used by Junior racers. I can't help but wonder if it has a bit of history; if only bikes could talk. USA Cycling Juniors |
|
|
|
Post by wheelson on Oct 22, 2020 21:48:25 GMT
I was able to snag the small Lambert by bidding $60 with a one-hour pickup time. Here are some photos of the bike after I got it home:
The main points:
This is a First Generation Lambert - lugged frame and threaded bottom bracket. My 62cm
The frame looks to be in good shape. Paint, decals, etc. are reasonably good. The rear stays have been spread to accommodate the larger cassette but I see no damage and I'm sure it can be put back to 120mm if desired. Seat post and stem are free. Bottom bracket internals are messed up, primarily because it is put back together without the ball bearings - rookie mistake I guess. The BB threading looks good. Wheels and tires are wrong. Right side of the crankset is a replacement but, oddly enough, the left crank arm is original. Death fork installed. Clipless pedals installed.
Wheelson, let's discuss what you want me to ship. The only two items I would like to keep are the left crank arm to complete a set I have, and the rear brake caliper that I am missing.
Brian
Brian,
Excellent detective work and negotiating skills! Thanks much for letting me know about it.
The condition of the paint and decals is much better than I thought from the initial sales photos. Yes, from my limited Lambert/Viscount knowledge, this one is quite early with the lugged frame and with no integral derailleur hanger. Quite obvious that the bottom bracket has seen someone's handiwork. That right crank arm is an SR Custom, probably '80s vintage. You're lucky that the left one you needed is probably original. Curious about the bottom bracket being threaded? If so you might want to keep the bb spindle since it may be the Lambert straight taper(less) version. Anyone know if that's the case?
In any case, thanks for the discovery, hopefully this will be Mrs. Wheelson's ride for DFR9 instead of that ghastly Cannondale mtb that she insists she needs none other! I'll contact you by pm for details.
Best, John "wheelson"
|
|
|
|
Post by brianbutler on Oct 23, 2020 2:12:33 GMT
The Lambert is stripped and ready to pack and ship. I found out a couple of facts:
1. The bottom bracket shell is 68mm English threaded. Cups from a sealed BB screw in perfectly.
2. The spindle is 120mm but asymmetrical. The drive side extends 7mm farther than the left side. Therefore a symmetrical 68x127 sealed BB would maintain the same clearance on the drive side.
3. The frame size is 20 inches or 51mm. This must be the smallest available size because the lugs on the head tube meet. 4. The rear stays are spaced 126mm apart, possibly spread from 120, based on the 120mm width on my similar Lambert that had original hubs and freewheel. 5. The spindle is square TAPERED.
If I think of anything else I will post here.
Brian
|
|
|
|
Post by theformeremployee on Oct 24, 2020 11:24:07 GMT
A 'best guess' would be that it is a frame from Knight Fabrications, but painted/assembled in Bilston.
The Bob Thom decal is nostalgic, such a good rider, a nice man and a good friend.
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelson on Oct 24, 2020 15:34:24 GMT
Thank you so much for your comments. There's a discussion going on over on the CR forum about how to get a non-cycling person interested in the cycling sport. While my wife does ride occasionally, she does not have anywhere near the interest in cycling as I do. She has a keen interest in anything British and I stoked the fire at with her photography of me at the virtual Death Fork Rally 8. Since this bike is intended for her, I'm trying to bring the good connections of the history along and she seems acutely interested. So it's the historical comments like yours that helps riders like her take interest and ownership in the bike. Which in turn, helps me and my love of the sport immensely.
As a note, I will swap out the fork as a precaution before she rides the bike.
Best,
John "wheelson"
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelson on Oct 30, 2020 14:25:31 GMT
A 'best guess' would be that it is a frame from Knight Fabrications, but painted/assembled in Bilston. The Bob Thom decal is nostalgic, such a good rider, a nice man and a good friend. First of all, I absolutely love the look of this frame, and I'm a bit jealous that it's small and can't be one of my regular riders. I'll have to be content with seeing my wife enjoy this one.
Now that I have the bike in hand, I see that it has the Bob Thom, Ian Steel, and Reg Harris decals. While the main decals are ok, these three small decals are damaged/loose. I want to do a sympathetic restoration but these decals will be hard to work around and I desperately want to save them.
Anyone have any suggestions to salvage them or any sources for replacement? I've already looked at h.lloyd, bicyclestickersUK, Velocals, Cyclomondo, with no success.
As an alternative, does anyone have a Lambert with these decals that could do a closeup full-on photo of each? There's a CR list member who does custom decals, Gus Salmon, who might be persuaded to do them if good clear examples were available.
Best, John "wheelson"
|
|
|
|
Post by brianbutler on Oct 30, 2020 15:18:53 GMT
I can tell you what NOT to do. Don't use a heat gun. This might sound like common sense, but I have taken off quite a few decals using gentle heat and gentle lifting. I used the same technique with the standard decals on my lugged Lambert Pro. They came off OK and I laid them out on a sheet of paper to cool. When I came back later they were all hopelessly curled and distorted. In my case it was no great loss because all of the decals were damaged and they can be replaced with a set from VeloCals or elsewhere. But I would not want to destroy the unusual decals on your frame. Good luck.
Brian
|
|
vfrman
Viscount
hi-13 lamberts[2 gold, 1 reg harris] 3 10 speeds
Posts: 33 
|
Post by vfrman on Oct 30, 2020 18:49:23 GMT
fyi; i have a near mint Reg Harris lambert 15 speed in connecticut for future reference...so all is not lost if decals are destroyed. 2021 has to be better than 2020 so those more talented than me can make copies to be shared by all....i will check for Bob Thom and Ian Steel and get back to you...regards, j. lawrence
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelson on Oct 30, 2020 19:23:52 GMT
Good to know, thanks. The bike just looks so neat with all the existing decals, but I will have to do some major paint touchups and perhaps those may not survive. Either way, they won't last long if I do nothing. A good Winter project, for sure.
Best,
John "wheelson"
|
|
